# Path (album)

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***Path*** is the second studio album by the American musician [Kraus](/source/Kraus_(shoegaze_musician)), released on March 9, 2018, through [Terrible Records](/source/Terrible_Records). Preceded by singles "Reach" and "Bum", *Path* follows Kraus's debut *End Tomorrow* on the same label. A [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze) album, reviewers noted the album's influence from 1990s [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock), evoking a vibe akin to [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band)). *Path* was described as "intriguing" by *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*[1] and "gorgeous" by *[Revolver](/source/Revolver_(magazine))*.[2]

## Background and release

Kraus started working on his debut studio album, *End Tomorrow*, in early 2016. After finishing it, he emailed several labels and music writers. Brian Justie from [Terrible Records](/source/Terrible_Records) agreed to release the album.[3] *End Tomorrow* was released through the label on September 9, 2016.[4] An interview published in January 2017 by *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* noted that, while Kraus was "in no rush to release a new record", he had a playlist titled "Album 2" containing work-in-progress songs. According to Quinn Moreland, these sketches "contain[ed] more of the ambitious instrumentation and ambiguous yet heartfelt songwriting [that was] becoming his signature".[3] *Path* was preceded by two singles: "Reach" on February 7, 2018,[5][6] and "Bum" on February 28.[7] *Path* was released on March 9.[8] A music video for "Bum", which Fred Pessaro of *[Revolver](/source/Revolver_(magazine))* described as colorful, was released on June 6.[2]

## Composition

*Path* was characterized as [shoegaze](/source/Shoegaze);[1] Joe Trainor of *[Bandcamp Daily](/source/Bandcamp_Daily)* described it as "experimental shoegaze".[9] Writing for *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*, Ian Cohen described the album's 1990s [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock) vibe as its most unique aspect, writing how "about 70 percent of *Path*" could be confused for the heaviest instrumental sections of [The Smashing Pumpkins](/source/The_Smashing_Pumpkins)'s *[Siamese Dream](/source/Siamese_Dream)*.[1] Further, he highlighted the combination of "[arena-rock](/source/Arena-rock) volume, [nu-metal](/source/Nu-metal) digital dreams, and bedroom artist [claustrophobia](/source/Claustrophobia)", keeping *Path* engaging.[1] Trainor described it as "rock music using modern tech to create exciting new sounds".[9] Fred Pessaro of *[Revolver](/source/Revolver_(magazine))* said that the album evokes [My Bloody Valentine](/source/My_Bloody_Valentine_(band))'s "noisy cacophony and lovely melody" while containing modern effects.[2] *[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)'*s Leor Galil felt that Kraus's melancholic and resonant vocals, along with the sorrowful lyrics, were more distinct than the ones present in *End Tomorrow*.[10] Cohen highlighted how Kraus sounds like a "fully staffed rock band", despite the project being composed of only one person.[1]

## Songs

On *Path'*s first and last tracks, "Figure" and "Mostly", Cohen said that "Kraus's coos are enveloped by gritty, spun-sugar drones", feeling that they are as expressive as the other songs in the record, despite being wordless.[1] On the latter track, Galil described it as "weightless" and "near-[ambient](/source/Ambient_music)" while containing indistinguishable vocals.[10] "Bum" encapsulates the album's essence, according to Pessaro, being both sweet and sinister, with a recurring, distorted guitar line.[2] Chris DeVille of *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)* described it as "Kraus barreling through beautiful explosions of noise and melody".[7] Cohen found it inspired by [Hum](/source/Hum_(band))'s "[Stars](/source/Stars_(Hum_song))".[1]

Cohen said that the intro of "Games" resembles [the Big Pink](/source/The_Big_Pink) and [Red Hot Chili Peppers](/source/Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers)' "[Give It Away](/source/Give_It_Away_(Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_song))". Overall, he felt that the song blends [chillwave](/source/Chillwave) with [Clinton](/source/Bill_Clinton)-era nostalgia by alluding to an [X Games](/source/X_Games) VHS recording, while accompanied by energetic guitar work.[1] Sasha Geffen of *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* and *Stereogum'*s Sophie Israelsohn noted that "Reach" has frantic drums as Kraus repeatedly sings "Reaching through me".[5][6] Geffen described the guitar as "fuzzed-out",[5] while Isrealsohn found Kraus's voice airy, yet expressive.[6] Cohen said that "See" offers "a bedside elegy as a narcotized singsong".[1] On "Big Blood", Galil wrote that when combined with its powerful guitars, euphoric drums, and samples creating melodies "that cut through the atmosphere like a foghorn", Kraus's "vocal caterwauling" enhances the track's strength.[10]

## Reception and legacy

*[Revolver](/source/Revolver_(magazine))**s Fred Pessaro wrote that*****Path*"caused a stir" when it was released.[2] Ian Cohen of*[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*wrote: "Shoegaze doesn't need ego, but*Path*shows it's always better with personality", saying that it was "one of the more intriguing entries into shoegaze of recent vintage".[1]*[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)**s Leor Galil said that Kraus "expresses himself even more clearly" when compared to *End Tomorrow* while highlighting that the artist "continues to do well at keeping his ideas—and words—as intangible as possible".[10] Pessaro described it as "mildly antisocial and downright gorgeous to the core, like a sweet lullaby being sung across a crackling radio".[2]

In 2023, Joe Trainor of *[Bandcamp Daily](/source/Bandcamp_Daily)* included it in a list of "rare shoegaze gems".[9]

## Release history

Release history for Path Region Date Format(s) Label Worldwide[8] March 9, 2018 Digital download streaming vinyl Terrible Records

## References

1. Cohen, Ian (2018-03-12). ["Kraus: *Path* Album Review"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kraus-path/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220517050111/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kraus-path/) May 17, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. Pessaro, Fred (2018-06-06). ["See Shoegaze Outfit Kraus' Searing, Psychedelic New 'Bum' Video"](https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-shoegaze-outfit-kraus-searing-psychedelic-new-bum-video). *[Revolver](/source/Revolver_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211020111351/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-shoegaze-outfit-kraus-searing-psychedelic-new-bum-video) October 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. Moreland, Quinn (2017-01-13). ["Kraus Makes Noise Rock for Anxious People"](https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/10005-kraus-makes-noise-rock-for-anxious-people/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240519224835/https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/10005-kraus-makes-noise-rock-for-anxious-people/) May 19, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. ["*End Tomorrow*, by Kraus"](https://willkraus.bandcamp.com/album/end-tomorrow). [Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230901022051/https://willkraus.bandcamp.com/album/end-tomorrow) September 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-01.

1. Geffen, Sasha (2018-02-07). ["Kraus: 'Reach' Track Review"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/kraus-reach/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211020100809/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/kraus-reach/) October 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. Israelsohn, Sophie (2018-02-07). ["Kraus – 'Reach'"](https://www.stereogum.com/1982153/kraus-reach/music/). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211020033253/https://www.stereogum.com/1982153/kraus-reach/music/) October 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. DeVille, Chris (2018-02-28). ["Kraus – 'Bum'"](https://www.stereogum.com/1985106/kraus-bum/music/). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211019055812/https://www.stereogum.com/1985106/kraus-bum/music/) October 19, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

1. ["*Path*, by Kraus"](https://willkraus.bandcamp.com/album/path). [Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230901020514/https://willkraus.bandcamp.com/album/path) September 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-01.

1. Trainor, Joe (2023-01-09). ["Rare Shoegaze Gems From All Eras Unearthed"](https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/rare-shoegaze-guide). *[Bandcamp Daily](/source/Bandcamp_Daily)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074047/https://daily.bandcamp.com/lists/rare-shoegaze-guide) March 27, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-05-20.

1. Galil, Leor (2018-07-20). ["Young shoegaze maven Will Kraus expresses himself even more clearly on his second album, *Path*"](https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/young-shoegaze-maven-will-kraus-expresses-himself-even-more-clearly-on-his-second-album-path/Content?oid=53429470). *[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210711162816/https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/young-shoegaze-maven-will-kraus-expresses-himself-even-more-clearly-on-his-second-album-path/Content?oid=53429470) July 11, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

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