# Changephobia

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***Changephobia*** is the second full-length solo album by American [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock) musician [Rostam Batmanglij](/source/Rostam_Batmanglij). The album has received positive reception from critics and appeared on several best-of lists for the year. It was followed by two volumes of remixes later in the year.[1]

## Reception

Editors at *AnyDecentMusic?* scored this album a 7.3 out of 10, based on 15 reviews.[2] [3]

At *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*, Tatiana Tenreyro scored this album a B+, calling it "a fitting record for sunny summer days, leaning into a stripped-down sound that combines pop with jazz".[4] Editors at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Heather Phares writing "on *Changephobia*, [Batmanglij's] approach is a little more concise and considered" than 2017's *[Half-Light](/source/Half-Light_(album))* "but just as evocative", continuing that his music is "more artful and heartfelt than ever".[5] *[DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine))'*s Sean Kerwick scored *Changephobia* 4 out of 5 stars, characterizing it as "beautifully constructed, surprising and brimming with invention".[6] Writing for *[Dork](/source/Dork_(magazine))*, Jamie Macmillan gave this album 3 out of 5 stars, writing that "though there are delightful moments popping up every now and then, everything feels just a little too light and struggles to really take hold in your memory, it's relentless insistence on skipping onto the next thing making everything feel just that bit too fleeting".[7] In *[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)*, Ian Gormedy rated this release 8 out of 10, summing up, "it's the most coherent vision—lyrically and sonically—of Rostam as a solo artist so far".[8]

Oliver Kuscher of *[The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit)* gave this album an 8 out of 10, stating that "the record has a beautifully cohesive groove, the many disparate parts seamlessly fitting together in typical Rostam fashion".[9] In *[Loud and Quiet](/source/Loud_and_Quiet)*, Rosie Ramsden rated *Changephobia* a 7 out of 10, stating that the album's strength lies in cohesion between different-sounding songs, summing up that "they are tied together by a melodic thread that inspires a change of pace that encourages us to pause and take stock of our lives and beliefs and relationships".[10] Tom Doyle of *[Mojo](/source/Mojo_(magazine))* rated this release 4 out of 5 stars for being "a quiet beauty" with vocals reminiscent of [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon).[11] Simone Fraser scored *Changephobia* 3 out of 5 stars, critiquing that "the multi-talented musician's downfall is sometimes that he wraps melodies in so many layers that it barely has a chance to breathe", while praising the album as "cohesive despite an experimental and genre-defying sound".[12]

Max Freedman of *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))* gave *Changephobia* a 6.8 out of 10, summing it up as Batmanglij's "most compact work yet, which is alternately a boon and a crutch".[13] A 7.2 out of 10 came from Will Gottsegen of [Pitchfork Media](/source/Pitchfork_Media), who compared it to [Haim](/source/Haim_(band))'s *[Women in Music Pt. III](/source/Women_in_Music_Pt._III)* and praised "songs that locate their intoxicating highs in the restless spontaneity he writes about so frequently".[14] Colin McGuire of *[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters)* rated this album 7 out of 10 for being "an album that's as concise as it is provoking and as pleasant as it is interesting".[15] A brief review in *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* praised the production on this album for making "pleasantly ornate pop with classical flourishes" and rated it 3 out of 5 stars.[16] Writing for *[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine)*, Eric Mason gave this release 3.5 out of 5 stars, ending "while Batmanglij has reduced the vast variety of sounds and distortion of his debut, the warmth of his vision remains".[17] *[Uncut](/source/Uncut_(magazine))'*s Bud Scoppa wrote that in this music, "Rostam juxtaposes elements of the postmodern sonic recipe he helped dream up for Vampire Weekend with novel touches, forming the flexible framework for deeply personal emotions" and scored it 7 out of 10.[18]

In a mid-year wrap-up of the 25 best albums of 2021, *The A.V. Club'*s Gabrielle Sanchez stated that Batmanglij "steps firmly out of his former band's [Vampire Weekend] shadow... with a lush, romantic sophomore solo album".[19] Mikael Wood of *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* rated this the third best album of the year, comparing the sounds to [Chet Baker](/source/Chet_Baker) and [Charlie Parker](/source/Charlie_Parker).[20] Sean Maunier also rated it number three for 2021, calling it as "ambitious and multifaceted as its creator" and "asks what it means to live in a world that is constantly turning itself upside down, and more pressingly, the joys and connections we manage to find with each other in the constant flux".[21] Critic Lindsay Zoladz of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* considered *Changephobia* a runner-up for the shortlist of the best albums of the year.[22] A Pitchfork Media ranking of the 100 best songs of 2021 included "4Runner" at 80 and Peyton Thomas wrote that this "twelve-string tribute to the open road would make anyone swoon".[23]

## Track listing

1. "These Kids We Knew" (Rostam Batmanglij) – 2:28
1. "From the Back of a Cab" (Batmanglij) – 2:47
1. "Unfold You" (Batmanglij, Nick Hakim, Wes Miles, and Cassia O'Reilly) – 3:54
1. "4Runner" (Batmanglij and Brad Oberhofer) – 3:49
1. "Changephobia" (Batmanglij) – 3:50
1. "Kinney" (Batmanglij) – 3:19
1. "Bio18" (Batmanglij and Ramesh Srivastava) – 4:01
1. "(Interlude)" (Batmanglij and Henry Solomon) – 1:59
1. "To Communicate" (Batmanglij) – 3:27
1. "Next Thing" (Batmanglij) – 4:30
1. "Starlight" (Batmanglij) – 4:06

**Bonus tracks on the expanded edition**

1. "[Train in Vain (Stand by Me)](/source/Train_in_Vain_(Stand_by_Me)) ([Mick Jones](/source/Mick_Jones_(The_Clash_guitarist)) and [Joe Strummer](/source/Joe_Strummer)) – 3:28
1. "[Fruits of My Labor](/source/World_Without_Tears)" ([Lucinda Williams](/source/Lucinda_Williams)) – 4:35

"Unfold You" contains a sample of "Papas Fritas" by [Nick Hakim](/source/Nick_Hakim) and "4Runner" contains a sample spoken word by [Tess Brown-Lavoie](/source/Tess_Brown-Lavoie).

## Personnel

- [Rostam Batmanglij](/source/Rostam_Batmanglij) – [12-string guitar](/source/12-string_guitar), [acoustic guitar](/source/Acoustic_guitar), [electric guitar](/source/Electric_guitar), piano, [Hammond B3](/source/Hammond_B3), [Wurlitzer](/source/Wurlitzer), [Mellotron](/source/Mellotron), [Moog synthesizer](/source/Moog_synthesizer), bass guitar, harmonica, drums, congas, [shaker](/source/Shaker_(music)), tambourine, percussion, snapping, vocals, backing vocals, saxophone [arrangement](/source/Musical_arrangement), drum [programming](/source/Music_programming), synthesizer programming, [sampling](/source/Sampling_(music)), [engineering](/source/Audio_engineering), [mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)), [production](/source/Record_producer)
- Chris Allgood – [mastering](/source/Audio_mastering) assistance
- Olivia Bee – photography
- Michael Blasky – [tenor saxophone](/source/Tenor_saxophone) on "Kinney"
- Rich Costey – mixing on "4Runner"
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing on "These Kids We Knew", "From the Back of a Cab", "Unfold You", "Changephobia", "Kinney", "Bio18", and "Starlight"
- [Dave Fridmann](/source/Dave_Fridmann) – mixing on "To Communicate"
- [Danielle Haim](/source/Danielle_Haim) – drums on "These Kids We Knew",
- Jack Hallenbeck – synthesizer on "These Kids We Knew", engineering on "These Kids We Knew" and "4Runner"
- Michael Harris – engineering on "Unfold You", "Changephobia", "Bio18", "To Communicate", "Next Thing", and "Starlight"
- Nate Head – congas on "Bio18", drums on "Next Thing"
- Christine Im – layout
- [Emily Lazar](/source/Emily_Lazar) – mastering at The Loft, New York City, New York, United States
- Julian McClanahan – backing vocals on "Changephobia"
- Joey Messina-Doerning – drums on "Changephobia", engineering
- Henry Solomon – [baritone saxophone](/source/Baritone_saxophone) on "Unfold You", "Changephobia", "Kinney", "Bio18", "(Interlude)", "Next Thing", and "Starlight"; saxophone arrangement
- Shane Stoneback – engineering
- Gabriel Strum – synthesizer on "Starlight"

## See also

- [2021 in American music](/source/2021_in_American_music)
- [List of 2021 albums](/source/List_of_2021_albums)

## References

1. Vitagliano, Joe (2021-12-02). ["Vampire Weekend's Rostam Shares Part II of 'Changephobia' Remixes—Read His Track-By-Track Breakdown"](https://americansongwriter.com/vampire-weekends-rostam-shares-part-ii-of-changephobia-remixes-read-his-track-by-track-breakdown/). *[American Songwriter](/source/American_Songwriter)*. [ISSN 0896-8993](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0896-8993). [OCLC 17342741](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/17342741). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. ["Changephobia by Rostam reviews | AnyDecentMusic"](http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/12877/_.aspx). *AnyDecentMusic?*. n.d. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. ["Changephobia by Rostam Reviews and Tracks – Metacritic"](https://www.metacritic.com/music/changephobia/rostam). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Fandom, Inc.](/source/Fandom,_Inc.). n.d. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Tenreyro, Tatiana (2021-06-04). ["Album Review: Rostam soundtracks summer love with the jazzy *Changephobia*"](https://www.avclub.com/rostam-soundtracks-summer-love-with-the-jazzy-changepho-1847032459). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Phares, Heather (n.d.). ["Rostam – Changephobia"](https://allmusic.com/album/mw0003489052). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [RhythmOne](/source/RhythmOne). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Kerwick, Sean (2021-06-03). ["Rostam – *Changephobia* review"](https://diymag.com/review/album/rostam-changephobia-album-review). *[DIY](/source/DIY_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Macmillan, Jamie (2023-12-15). ["Rostam – Changephobia"](https://readdork.com/albums/rostam-changephobia/). *[Dork](/source/Dork_(magazine))*. [OCLC 1065354071](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1065354071)

1. Gormedy, Ian (2021-05-31). ["Rostam's 'Changephobia' Proves He's Actually Pretty Good at Switching Things Up"](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/rostam_changephobia_album_review). *[Exclaim!](/source/Exclaim!)*. [ISSN 1207-6600](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1207-6600). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Kuscher, Oliver (2021-06-05). ["On Changephobia Rostam embraces growth and clarity"](https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/rostam-changephobia-album-review). *[The Line of Best Fit](/source/The_Line_of_Best_Fit)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Ramsden, Rosie (2021-05-31). ["Rostam – Changephobia"](https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/rostam-changephobia/). *[Loud and Quiet](/source/Loud_and_Quiet)*. No. 146. [ISSN 2049-9892](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2049-9892). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Doyle, Tom (July 2021). "Filter Albums". *[Mojo](/source/Mojo_(magazine))*. No. 332. Bulley, Jenny (ed.). p. 87. [ISSN 1351-0193](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1351-0193)

1. Fraser, Simone (2021-06-03). ["Rostam – 'Changephobia' review: Vampire Weekend producer's left turn"](https://www.nme.com/reviews/rostam-changephobia-review-2955898). *[NME](/source/NME)*. [ISSN 0028-6362](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0028-6362). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. ["Rostam: 'Changephobia' Album Review"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/rostam/changephobia-album-review). *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))*. 2021-07-02. [ISSN 1540-3106](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1540-3106). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Gottsegen, Will (2021-06-04). ["Rostam: Changephobia Album Review"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/rostam-changephobia/). [Pitchfork Media](/source/Pitchfork_Media). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. McGuire, Colin (2021-06-16). ["Rostam: Changephobia (Album Review)"](https://www.popmatters.com/rostam-changephobia-album-review). *[PopMatters](/source/PopMatters)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. "Quick Hits". *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. No. 1352. June 2021. p. 77. [ISSN 0035-791X](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0035-791X)

1. Mason, Eric (2021-05-30). ["Rostam 'Changephobia' Review: A Breezy Embrace of Lack of Control"](https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/with-changephobia-rostam-breezily-embraces-a-lack-of-control/). *[Slant Magazine](/source/Slant_Magazine)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Scoppa, Bud (July 2021). "New Albums". *[Uncut](/source/Uncut_(magazine))*. p. 33. [ISSN 1368-0722](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1368-0722)

1. Sanchez, Gabrielle (2021-07-09). ["The best albums of 2021 so far, from Japanese Breakfast to Ratboys"](https://www.avclub.com/the-best-albums-of-2021-so-far-1847198024). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Wood, Mikael (2021-12-15). ["The 10 best albums of 2021"](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-12-15/10-best-albums-2021-jazmine-sullivan-olivia-rodrigo-rostam-lil-nas-x). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. [ISSN 2165-1736](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2165-1736). [OCLC 3638237](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3638237). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Maunier, Sean (2022-01-09). ["The 10 Best Albums of 2021, from Lucy Dacus to Allison Russell"](https://www.metroweekly.com/2022/01/the-10-best-albums-of-2021/). *[Metro Weekly](/source/Metro_Weekly)*. Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Zoladz, Lindsay (2021-12-02). ["Best Albums of 2021"](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/arts/music/best-pop-albums.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [ISSN 1553-8095](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1553-8095). [OCLC 1645522](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1645522). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

1. Thomas, Peyton (2021-12-06). ["The 100 Best Songs of 2021"](https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2021/). [Pitchfork Media](/source/Pitchfork_Media). Retrieved 2023-12-15.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Changephobia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changephobia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changephobia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.