Sweep It Into Space

About the Album

Sweep It Into Space, released in April 2021, is Dinosaur Jr’s twelfth studio album and their fifth since reuniting in 2005. The album was co-produced by Kurt Vile, who also contributes guitar on several tracks. Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the album showcases the band’s continued ability to evolve while maintaining their signature sound, featuring some of their most melodic and accessible work to date.

Recording and Production

Recording began in late 2019 at Biquiteen Studios in Amherst, Massachusetts, with Kurt Vile co-producing alongside J Mascis. The pandemic interrupted the sessions, leading Mascis to complete the album largely on his own. Despite the challenging circumstances, the production achieves a warm, organic sound that perfectly captures the band’s live energy. The collaboration with Vile adds subtle new textures to the band’s sonic palette.

Musical Style

Sweep It Into Space represents a refinement of Dinosaur Jr’s sound, balancing their characteristic guitar heroics with increased emphasis on melody and arrangement. The album features some of their most immediate songs (“I Ran Away,” “I Ain’t”) alongside more complex compositions (“I Expect It Always,” “Walking to You”). Lou Barlow’s contributions (“Garden,” “Take It Back”) provide some of the album’s most striking moments, while Mascis’s guitar work continues to evolve, incorporating new influences while remaining distinctively his own.

Reception and Legacy

The album received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers praising its fresh approach to the band’s signature sound. Critics particularly noted the successful integration of Kurt Vile’s influence and the strength of the songwriting throughout. Sweep It Into Space demonstrated that Dinosaur Jr could continue to grow artistically while maintaining their essential character, further cementing their position as one of alternative rock’s most consistently rewarding bands.