{{good article}} {{use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Making a Door Less Open | type = studio | artist = Car Seat Headrest | cover = Car Seat Headrest - Making a Door Less Open.png | alt = | released = {{start date|2020|05|01}} | recorded = January 2015 – April 2020 | studio = Avast! | genre = *Indie rock * experimental * electronic * EDM * lo-fi * pop | length = {{Duration|m=47|s=28}} (Streaming)<br />{{Duration|m=76}} (Bandcamp)<br/>{{Duration|m=48|s=32}} (CD)<br/>{{Duration|m=42|s=20}} (LP) | label = Matador | producer = * Will Toledo * Andrew Katz | prev_title = Commit Yourself Completely | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = Faces from the Masquerade | next_year = 2023 | misc = {{Singles | name = Making a Door Less Open | type = studio | single1 = Can't Cool Me Down | single1date = February 26, 2020 | single2 = Martin | single2date = March 23, 2020 | single3 = Hollywood | single3date = April 16, 2020 | single4 = There Must Be More Than Blood | single4date = April 23, 2020 }} }}
'''''Making a Door Less Open''''' (abbreviated as '''''MADLO'''''<ref name="oc">{{cite web|url=https://ourculturemag.com/2020/05/05/album-review-car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/|title=Album Review: Car Seat Headrest, 'Making a Door Less Open'|work=Our Culture Mag|last=Pappis|first=Konstantinos|date=May 5, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref><ref name="stereoMADLO" />) is the twelfth studio album by American indie rock band Car Seat Headrest. It was released on May 1, 2020, through Matador Records. The album serves as the band's fourth under the label, and the second to consist of newly written material.
''Making a Door Less Open'' marked a distinct stylistic divergence from the band's previous material. While Car Seat Headrest largely became known for their indie rock sound and use of lo-fi aesthetics, the album's style was largely influenced by experiments with 1 Trait Danger, an electronic side-project of band members Will Toledo and Andrew Katz. Each format of the album feature different track orders and alternate versions of tracks.
While critics reacted mostly positively to the album, enjoying the band's new electronic and EDM influences along with its lyricism, others criticised the album's experimentation, calling it unmemorable and not fully fleshed out.
== Background and production ==
=== Development === Writing for ''Making a Door Less Open'' began in January 2015, prior to the band's signing to Matador Records.<ref name="wwwcarseatheadrestcom">{{Cite web |title=Car Seat Headrest |url=https://carseatheadrest.com/newnessandstrangeness/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.carseatheadrest.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426160035/https://carseatheadrest.com/newnessandstrangeness/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Toledo began developing the songs electronically, with the ideas later being fleshed out into full songs in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=[INTERVIEW] Car Seat Headrest {{!}} Monchicon! |url=https://monchicon.jugem.jp/?eid=2307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205102512/https://monchicon.jugem.jp/?eid=2307 |archive-date=December 5, 2024 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=monchicon.jugem.jp |language=ja |url-status=live }}</ref>
In an official write-up on the album titled "Newness and Strangeness", Toledo wrote, "The songs [from ''Making a Door Less Open''] contain elements of EDM, hip hop, futurism, doo-wop, soul, and of course rock and roll. But underneath all these things I think these may be folk songs, because they can be played and sung in many different ways, and they're about things that are important to a lot of people: anger with society, sickness, loneliness, [and] love".<ref name="wwwcarseatheadrestcom" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Emily |title=Car Seat Headrest Share 'Can't Cool Me Down' |url=https://www.spin.com/2020/02/car-seat-headrest-share-cant-cool-me-down/ |access-date=23 February 2025 |work=Spin |date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
=== Recording === During recording of the album, the band created two separate versions of ''Making a Door Less Open''; one version was a traditional live album with guitars and drums, while the other was made with MIDI and other synthesized sounds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Car Seat Headrest announce new album, song and 2020 tour |url=https://clture.org/car-seat-headrest-2/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=CLTure |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> Toledo noted that he wanted the album to maintain the style and sound of demo recordings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crane |first1=Larry |title=Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest: Tape Op Podcast Interview |url=https://tapeop.com/interviews/bonus/will-toledo-car-seat-headrest/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Tape Op |language=en}}</ref> Toledo also stated the album's title had no exact meaning; rather, he preferred it to be ambiguous to push people to listen to the album.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> Radiohead was noted as a large influence during the creation of ''Making a Door Less Open'', specifically "Idioteque" and ''Kid A''.<ref name="stereoMADLO" />
"Weightlifters" was the first song to be conceived for ''Making a Door Less Open'', being written during a tour in 2015 to 2016.<ref name="stereoMADLO">{{cite news |last1=Tedder |first1=Michael |title=The Story Behind Every Song On Car Seat Headrest's New Album 'Making A Door Less Open' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2082537/car-seat-headrest-madlo-track-by-track-interview/interviews/footnotes-interview/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Stereogum |date=1 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> "Can't Cool Me Down" was made with the intention of using as many different instruments as possible, even if they clashed.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> Toledo noted the track "Hymn" was not intentionally written, and instead emerged from the recording sessions.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> The remixed version of the track came from a desire to have a hit song on streaming platforms.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> "Hollywood" started out as a more basic track, before Toledo decided to turn it into a rap song.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> The beat of "Martin" came about after Toledo had auto-generated a beat with Ableton.<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> "Deadlines (Thoughtful)" was made from a slowed version of a 1 Trait Danger song, "DROVE MY CAR".<ref name="stereoMADLO" /> "Life Worth Missing" came about after Toledo and Katz were texting each other anxiously after a lack of response from a demo version of the album.<ref name="stereoMADLO" />
Initial production and recording of the album finished up in December 2019, however, writing and recording for the digital version of the album (which had a later due date than the physical versions) continued into April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Making a Door Less Open, by Car Seat Headrest |url=https://carseatheadrest.bandcamp.com/album/making-a-door-less-open |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Car Seat Headrest |language=en}}</ref><ref name="rsa">{{cite news |last1=Voznick-Levinson |first1=Simon |title=The Restless, Stressed-Out Genius of Car Seat Headrest |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/car-seat-headrest-madlo-interview-10711/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Rolling Stone Australia |date=7 May 2020 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUYCJxB4wow |title=MADLO working digital tracklist |date=2020-03-26 |last=traitincommon |access-date=2025-03-04 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Unlike previous albums from the band, ''Making a Door Less Open'' would end up being produced with more emphasis on individual tracks due to the increased prominence of digital streaming.<ref name="slant">{{cite news |last1=Winograd |first1=Jeremy |title=Car Seat Headrest 'Making a Door Less Open' Review: A Dizzyingly Creative Album |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-is-dizzyingly-uncategorizable/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Slant |date=29 April 2020}}</ref> This resulted in three differing versions of the album across all formats, with some featuring different versions of tracks or new tracks altogether.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Mia |title="More Like A Collection Of Poems" Inside Car Seat Headrest's New Album |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/more-like-a-collection-of-poems-inside-car-seat-headrests-new-album |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Clash |date=29 April 2020}}</ref>
== Music == ''Making a Door Less Open'' has been described as indie rock,<ref name="allmusic" /> experimental,<ref name="clash" /> lo-fi,<ref name="consequence" /> electronic,<ref name="diy" /><ref name="pitchfork" /> EDM,<ref name="slant" /><ref name="diy" /><ref name="nme" /> and pop.<ref name="nme" /><ref name="pm" /> Many critics noted the general shift in sound that came with the release of the album; rather than the indie rock and lo-fi sounds the band were known for with releases like ''Teens of Denial'', ''Making a Door Less Open'' instead took on a more experimental and electronic approach.<ref name="allmusic" /><ref name="diy" /> Much of this new sound was inspired by Toledo and Katz' comedic EDM side project, 1 Trait Danger.<ref name="guardian" />
=== Composition === The album's opener, "Weightlifters", discusses themes of change.<ref name="guardian" /> Toledo notes how one's thoughts can change their body.<ref name="bpm" /> Jeremy Winograd of ''Slant'' called the track "adrenaline-inducing" and referred to it as "grooving dance-rock".<ref name="slant" /> Critics also related this track to the album's new electronic sound.<ref name="nme" /> "Can't Cool Me Down" is a more explicitly electronic track.<ref name="rs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/car-seat-headrests-making-a-door-less-open-992470/|title=Car Seat Headrest's 'Making a Door Less Open' Follows a Forked Path to a Big Emotional Payoff|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> Kyle Kohner of ''Riff Magazine'' called it a "fun, sprawling indietronica cut".<ref name="riff">{{cite news |last1=Kohner |first1=Kyle |title=Car Seat Headrest unleashes a polarizing, exciting new era with 'Making a Door Less Open' |url=https://riffmagazine.com/album-reviews/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Riff Magazine |date=29 April 2020}}</ref> The track features sprawling guitar lines, electronic-based percussion and synthesizers.<ref name="nme" /> One critic likened Toledo's lyricism on the track to a blues song.<ref name="slant" /> The track "Deadlines" is split into four versions across all formats; "Deadlines (Hostile)" and "Deadlines (Thoughtful)" on digital services, "Deadlines" on physical editions, as well as a bonus acoustic version on CD.<ref name="rs" /><ref name="allmusic" /> "Deadlines (Hostile)" has been referred to as a more traditional indie rock track,<ref name="rs" /><ref name="slant" /> while "Deadlines (Thoughtful)" borrows influences from EDM and electronic music.<ref name="slant" /><ref name="oc" />
{{Listen | filename = Car Seat Headrest - Hollywood.mp3 | title = "Hollywood" | description = Hollywood is a rock song with lyrics criticizing exploitation within entertainment. It was especially controversial among critics due to its lyrics and sound. }}
"Hollywood" is a brash rock song featuring fuzzy synthesizers and a narrator disgusted at the exploitation within the entertainment industry.<ref name="observer">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/03/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-review-will-toledo|title=Car Seat Headrest: Making a Door Less Open review – Will Toledo in yet another guise|website=The Observer|last=Mackay|first=Emily|date=May 3, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="pitchfork" /><ref name="nme" /><ref name="paste" /> It features Katz shouting the lyrics to the song, while Toledo softly performs them.<ref name="rsa" /><ref name="rs" /> The track was one of the most controversial within reviews; some enjoyed the track, such as Jonathan Leal of ''PopMatters'' who called it "pithy and allusive",<ref name="pm" /> while others such as Steven Edelstone of ''Paste'' called it "cliché", "bland" and "horrendous".<ref name="paste" /> The physical edition of "Hollywood" removes the majority of Katz' shouting.<ref name="rs" /> "Hymn" was split into the original version on physical editions, along with "Hymn (Remix)" on digital services.<ref name="oc" /> Rob Hakimian of ''Beats Per Minute'' described the original track as one made up of atmospheric organs, featuring Toledo's discussion of life's futility.<ref name="bpm" /> "Hymn (Remix)" is more experimental, containing "juddering" synthesizers and autotune that warps and distorts Toledo's voice.<ref name="clash" /><ref name="guardian" /> "Martin" has been described as an acoustic track that longingly discusses a past relationship.<ref name="bpm" /><ref name="slant" /> It features a "stuttering, off-kilter" drum machine<ref name="consequence" /> and upbeat acoustic guitars.<ref name="paste" /> Alexis Petridis of ''The Guardian'' noted its resemblance to the band's older tracks.<ref name="guardian" /> "What's With You Lately" is a shorter track that features vocals from band member Ethan Ives.<ref name="consequence" /> Rhys Buchanan from ''NME'' described it as a "lovesick grunge ballad".<ref name="nme" /> "Life Worth Missing" discusses fear and depression.<ref name="allmusic" /> It features warm and shimmering synthesizers.<ref name="bpm" /><ref name="paste" /> Edelstone noted the track was a "nice middle ground" between the band's newer and older sound.<ref name="paste" />
"There Must Be More Than Blood" contains lyrics of regret and disillusionment.<ref name="bpm" /> It makes use of buzzing synthesizers and "sky-searching" guitars.<ref name="bpm" /> The track is over 7 minutes long; the longest on the album.<ref name="clash" /><ref name="diy" /> Emily Mackay of ''The Observer'' stated the track focuses on "self-deprecation and naked emotion".<ref name="observer" /> "Famous" closes the album across all versions.<ref name="slant" /> It borrows influences from hip-hop along with "Diplo-inspired machine-stomp".<ref name="diy" /><ref name="pm" /> The track discusses themes of depression and isolation.<ref name="slant" />
== Release == thumb|Toledo performing live in 2018 On February 26, 2020, ''Making a Door Less Open'' was officially announced by the band, along with the release of the album's first single, "Can't Cool Me Down".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Marc |title=Car Seat Headrest: "Can't Cool Me Down" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/car-seat-headrest-cant-cool-me-down/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=Car Seat Headrest Announce New Album and Tour, Share New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/car-seat-headrest-announce-new-album-and-tour-share-new-song-listen/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=26 February 2020}}</ref> The album's announcement also coincided with the introduction of "Trait", an alternative persona of Toledo's which had originally stemmed from the band's side-project, 1 Trait Danger.<ref name="rsmartin">{{cite news |last1=Shaffer |first1=Claire |title=Car Seat Headrest Debut Alter-Ego in 'Martin' Lyric Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/car-seat-headrest-martin-video-971645/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Rolling Stone |date=23 March 2020}}</ref> The character is presented wearing a gas-mask with LED eyes, and a hi-viz jacket and pants. Toledo explained his reasoning for introducing the character as the result of performance anxiety.<ref name="rsmartin" />
The character would appear in the video for the album's second single, "Martin", which was released on March 23.<ref>{{cite news |title=Car Seat Headrest share new song 'Martin' |url=https://diymag.com/news/watch-car-seat-headrest-new-song-martin |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=DIY |date=23 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="rsmartin" /> A third single, "Hollywood", was released on April 16.<ref name="pfhw">{{cite news |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=Car Seat Headrest Share New Song "Hollywood" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/car-seat-headrest-share-new-song-hollywood-listen/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=16 April 2020}}</ref> It was accompanied with an animated music video by Sabrina Nichols featuring Trait.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Ali |title=Car Seat Headrest share new single 'Hollywood' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/car-seat-headrest-share-new-single-hollywood-2648585 |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=NME |date=17 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="pfhw" /> The final single, "There Must Be More Than Blood", was released on April 23.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yoo |first1=Noah |title=Car Seat Headrest Share New Song "There Must Be More Than Blood" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/car-seat-headrest-share-new-song-there-must-be-more-than-blood-listen/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=23 April 2020}}</ref>
''Making a Door Less Open'' would officially release on May 1, 2020, through Matador on CD, LP and digital services.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Renshaw |first1=David |title=Car Seat Headrest announce new album Making A Door Less Open |url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/02/26/carseat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-release-date |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=The Fader |date=26 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A tour accompanying the album was planned, although it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, later being rescheduled to 2022.<ref name="tst">{{cite news |last1=Rietmulder |first1=Michael |title=Seattle indie rock stars return after long COVID recovery |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/car-seat-headrest-return-after-will-toledos-long-covid-recovery/ |access-date=5 February 2025 |work=The Seattle Times |date=12 June 2024}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Music ratings | ADM = 7.2/10<ref name="ADM">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/11379/Car-Seat-Headrest-Making-a-Door-Less-Open.aspx|title=Making a Door Less Open by Car Seat Headrest reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=May 3, 2025}}</ref> | MC = 77/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/making-a-door-less-open/car-seat-headrest |title= Making a Door Less Open by Car Seat Headrest Reviews and Tracks |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/making-a-door-less-open-mw0003362992|title=Making a Door Less Open – Car Seat Headrest|website=AllMusic|last=Deming|first=Mark|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Beats Per Minute'' | rev2score = 85%<ref name="bpm">{{cite web|url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/|title=Album Review: Car Seat Headrest – Making Doors Less Open|website=Beats Per Minute|last=Hakimian|first=Rob|date=May 1, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Clash'' | rev3score = 7/10<ref name="clash">{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Marianne |title=Car Seat Headrest – Making A Door Less Open |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Clash |date=1 May 2020}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Consequence'' | rev4score = B<ref name="consequence">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/05/album-review-car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/|title=Car Seat Headrest's Making a Door Less Open Expands the Band's Sonic Possibilities: Review|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Weiss|first=Dan|date=May 4, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> | rev5 = ''DIY'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="diy">{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Elly |title=Car Seat Headrest – Making A Door Less Open |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-album-review |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=DIY |date=1 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Guardian'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/30/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-review-matador|title=Car Seat Headrest: Making a Door Less Open review – cult indie star in middle of the road|website=The Guardian|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=April 30, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> | rev7 = ''NME'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="nme">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open-review-2657257 |title=Car Seat Headrest – 'Making A Door Less Open' review: as confounding as its knowing title suggests |work=NME |date=May 1, 2020 |last=Buchanan |first= Rhys}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Paste'' | rev8score = 6/10<ref name="paste">{{cite news |last1=Edelstone |first1=Steven |title=Car Seat Headrest Makes an Album for Arenas, But Loses Itself in the Process |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/car-seat-headrest/making-a-door-less-open-review |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Paste |date=30 April 2020}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev9score = 6.6/10<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/car-seat-headrest-making-a-door-less-open/ |title=Car Seat Headrest: Making a Door Less Open |work=Pitchfork |date=May 1, 2020 |last=Cohen |first=Ian}}</ref> | rev10 = ''PopMatters'' | rev10score = 9/10<ref name="pm">{{cite news |last1=Leal |first1=Jonathan |title=Car Seat Headrest's 'Making a Door Less Open' Is an Indie Pop Triumph |url=https://www.popmatters.com/car-seat-headrest-making-door-2645758164.html |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=PopMatters |date=23 April 2020}}</ref> }}
''Making a Door Less Open'' received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which aggregates scores from mainstream critics, ''Making a Door Less Open'' has an average score of 77 based on 23 reviews, indicating a score of "generally favorable".<ref name="MC" />
Mark Deming of AllMusic gave the album 4/5 stars, stating that the album was "tremendously powerful".<ref name="allmusic" /> Deming wrote that while the songs on the album were "less cozy" and "more precise" than their previous work, the melodies of the album were still reminiscent of Toledo's earlier projects.<ref name="allmusic" /> Rob Hakimian of ''Beats Per Minute'' described how the album had some of the band's most "excoriating songs yet", also noting how the tracks were easy to emotionally connect to.<ref name="bpm" /> Writing about the album for ''Clash'', Marianne Gallagher stated how ''Making a Door Less Open'' was a fitting representation of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="clash" /> Dan Weiss of ''Consequence'' enjoyed the album, writing about how it was clearly a "transitional album".<ref name="consequence" /> In a review for ''DIY'', Elly Watson described how the album marked the band moving away from their previous indie rock lo-fi sound, moving into experimentation with electronica instead.<ref name="diy" /> Jeremy Winograd of ''Slant'' stated that ''Making a Door Less Open'' was an album that "[overflowed] with adventurous new ideas", enjoying its new EDM influences.<ref name="slant" /> Writing for ''PopMatters'', Jonathan Leal gave the album a 9/10, calling it a "landmark record" within the band's catalogue.<ref name="pm" /> Leal also stated how Katz had brought new creative energy out of Toledo.<ref name="pm" /> Rhys Buchanan of ''NME'' noted how the album would alienate some fans, but described how the band had fun composing it.<ref name="nme" /> In a piece about the album for ''Rolling Stone'', Jon Blistein stated that even when the album was "clunky", it was still compelling.<ref name="rs" />
Some critics had a more negative outlook of the album. Writing for ''Pitchfork'', Ian Cohen wrote about how the album was made up of "mild disappointments and half-realized experiments".<ref name="pitchfork" /> Steven Edelstone of ''Paste'' described the lack of relatable lyrics and melodies throughout the album.<ref name="paste" /> Edelstone concluded by writing how the album didn't seem fully fleshed out.<ref name="paste" /> In a review for ''Our Culture'', Konstantinos Pappis wrote about how some of the album's experimentation worked, but some tracks were messy and fell flat.<ref name="oc" /> Writing for ''The Guardian'', Alexis Petridis enjoyed tracks such as "Can't Cool Me Down" and "Hymn (Remix)", but noted how ''Making a Door Less Open'' sometimes "[landed] with a dead thud".<ref name="guardian" /> Petridis also questioned the band's unclear vision with the album.<ref name="guardian" /> Emily Mackay of ''The Observer'' enjoyed some of the new sound of the album, but noted that some tracks "[failed] to charm".<ref name="observer" /> While critical reception was generally positive, fan reception was more divisive, with fans noting the many divergences from the band's previous work. In an interview with Binaural, Toledo would discuss the album's reception, saying:<blockquote>"I'm bummed at what some people are making of it, because most people don't follow my philosophy of approaching [each album] completely fresh, so they see it in terms of how they see the band already. But I just can't really counter that; to me, music is only exciting when there's the possibility of going anywhere with it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-13 |title=Conversando por Whatsapp con Will Toledo (Car Seat Headrest) – Binaural |url=https://www.binaural.es/entrevista/conversando-por-whatsapp-con-will-toledo-car-seat-headrest/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |language=es}}</ref></blockquote>In a 2023 interview with ''Stereogum'', Toledo would note that he still liked the songs on the record, but felt that the release of the album coinciding with the COVID-19 lockdowns had left fans feeling unreceptive to a "thorny" album.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tedder |first1=Michael |title=Will Toledo On Car Seat Headrest's New Album, Long COVID, The State Of Bandcamp, & More |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2244496/will-toledo-car-seat-headrest/interviews/qa/ |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Stereogum |date=4 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
== Accolades == {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Accolades for ''Making a Door Less Open'' ! scope="col"| Publication ! scope="col"| Accolade ! scope="col"| Rank ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Billboard'' | ''Billboard''{{'}}s 50 Best Albums of 2020 – Mid-Year | {{N/A}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/list/9393973/best-albums-of-2020-so-far|title=The 50 Best Albums of 2020 (So Far)|author=Billboard Staff|magazine=Billboard|date=June 9, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Stereogum'' | ''Stereogum''{{'}}s 50 Best Albums of 2020 – Mid-Year | {{center|30}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/featured/best-albums-2020-midyear-list/|title=Best Albums of 2020 So Far|website=Stereogum|date=June 10, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Rolling Stone'' | ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 50 Best Albums of 2020 – Mid-Year | {{N/A}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-albums-2020-so-far-1012026/lil-uzi-vert-eternal-atake-1012036/|title=50 Best Albums of 2020 – So Far|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Schwartz|first=Danny|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 18, 2020}}</ref>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Under the Radar'' | ''Under the Radar''{{'}}s Top 100 Albums of 2020 | {{center|43}} | {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_100_albums_of_2020/|title=Under the Radar's Top 100 Albums of 2020|website=Under the Radar|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>}} |}
== Track listing == All tracks are written by Will Toledo, except "Hollywood", written by Toledo and Katz.<ref name="Bandcamp">{{Cite web|url=https://carseatheadrest.bandcamp.com/album/making-a-door-less-open|title=Making A Door Less Open, by Car Seat Headrest|website=Car Seat Headrest|access-date=2020-04-28}}</ref>
{{Track listing | headline = Digital edition | title1 = Weightlifters | length1 = 5:40 | title2 = Can't Cool Me Down | length2 = 5:09 | title3 = Deadlines (Hostile) | length3 = 4:21 | title4 = Hollywood | length4 = 3:23 | title5 = Hymn (Remix) | length5 = 2:48 | title6 = Martin | length6 = 3:28 | title7 = Deadlines (Thoughtful) | length7 = 5:52 | title8 = What's With You Lately? | length8 = 1:35 | title9 = Life Worth Missing | length9 = 4:53 | title10 = There Must Be More Than Blood | length10 = 7:33 | title11 = Famous | length11 = 2:45 | total_length = 47:28 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Bandcamp bonus tracks | title12 = Deadlines (Alternate Acoustic) | length12 = 3:06 | title13 = Hollywood (Acoustic) | length13 = 3:09 | title14 = Hymn | length14 = 3:01 | title15 = Hollywood (Vinyl Mix) | length15 = 3:22 | title16 = Deadlines | length16 = 5:02 | title17 = Life Worth Missing (Vinyl Mix) | length17 = 4:52 | title18 = There Must Be More Than Blood (Acoustic) | length18 = 6:00 | total_length = 76:00 }}
{{Track listing | headline = CD edition | title1 = Weightlifters | length1 = 5:41 | title2 = Can't Cool Me Down | length2 = 5:09 | title3 = Hollywood | length3 = 3:22 | title4 = Martin | length4 = 3:32 | title5 = Hymn (Remix) | length5 = 2:48 | title6 = There Must Be More Than Blood | length6 = 7:22 | title7 = Deadlines | length7 = 5:05 | title8 = What's With You Lately? | length8 = 1:37 | title9 = Life Worth Missing | length9 = 4:52 | title10 = Famous | length10 = 2:52 | title11 = Deadlines | note11 = alternative acoustic; bonus track | length11 = 3:07 | title12 = Hollywood | note12 = acoustic; bonus track | length12 = 3:10 | total_length = 48:32 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese CD bonus track | title13 = Can't Cool Me Down (Live At MASS MoCA) | length13 = 8:19 | total_length = 56:51 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl Side A | title1 = Weightlifters | length1 = 5:38 | title2 = Can't Cool Me Down | length2 = 5:08 | title3 = Hollywood | length3 = 3:23 | title4 = There Must Be More Than Blood | length4 = 7:21 | total_length = 21:30 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Vinyl Side B | title5 = Hymn | length5 = 3:02 | title6 = Deadlines | length6 = 5:03 | title7 = Martin | length7 = 3:27 | title8 = What's with You Lately? | length8 = 1:37 | title9 = Life Worth Missing | length9 = 4:52 | title10 = Famous | length10 = 2:49 | total_length = 42:20 }}
== Personnel == Credits are adapted from Bandcamp,<ref name="Bandcamp"/> and the album's vinyl liner notes.
'''Car Seat Headrest''' * Will Toledo – vocals, synthesizers, keyboards, organ, guitar, piano, drum programming {{small|(on "Martin")}} * Andrew Katz – drums, drum programming, vocals {{small|(on "Hollywood")}} * Ethan Ives – guitars, vocals {{small|(on "Can't Cool Me Down" and "What's With You Lately")}} * Seth Dalby – bass guitar
'''Additional musicians''' * Gianni Aiello – guitar {{small|(on "Hollywood" and "There Must Be More Than Blood")}} * John Huggins – violin {{small|(on "Can't Cool Me Down")}}
'''Production''' * Will Toledo – production, mixing, engineering * Andrew Katz – production, mixing, mastering (digital) * John McRae – engineering * Bernie Grundman – mastering (vinyl) * Cate Wurtz – artwork
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Making a Door Less Open'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite news|title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 May 2020|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|issue=1575|date=May 11, 2020}}</ref> | 86 |- {{album chart|Flanders|91|artist=Car Seat Headrest|album=Making a Door Less Open|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 8, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|9|date=20200508|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 11, 2020}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|184|artist=Car Seat Headrest|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 12, 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|22|artist=Car Seat Headrest|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 12, 2020}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Car Seat Headrest}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2020 albums Category:Car Seat Headrest albums Category:Matador Records albums Category:Experimental music albums by American artists Category:Electronic albums by American artists Category:Electronic dance music albums by American artists Category:Pop albums by American artists