The Hope List

The Hope List
Studio album by Lonely the Brave
Released	22 January 2021 (2021-01-22)
Length	38:28
Label	Easy Life
Producer	Jack Bennett
Lonely the Brave chronology
Things Will Matter (2016) The Hope List (2021) What We Do to Feel (2023)

The Hope List is the third studio album by English alternative rock band Lonely the Brave. It was released on 22 January 2021, through Easy Life Records.[1]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	7.2/10[2]
Metacritic	76/100[3]
Review scores
Source	Rating
Classic Rock	[4]
DIY	[5]
Gigwise	9/10[6]
Kerrang!	[7]
The Line of Best Fit	7/10[8]
NME	[9]
Upset	[10]

The Hope List was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 76 based on 5 reviews.[3] AnyDecentMusic? gave the release a 7.2 out of 10 based on 6 reviews.[2]

Philip Wilding at Classic Rock said: "LTB's woes have been rewarded with something remarkable: their best record yet."[4] Writing for DIY, Sarah Jamieson explained: "Backed up by powerful guitars and soaring vocals, their brand of intense but atmospheric rock feels rejuvenating."[5]

At Gigwise, Mark McConville said: "The Hope List is an expansive chronicle, spearheading truths and dislodging mediocrity. Every song is monumental and there’s a thread running through them all. The Hope List delivers rage and sorrow in equal measure, and it is a monumental release for the Cambridge band."[6] Writing for The Line of Best Fit, Steven Loftin wrote: "Stepping inside The Hope List feels like setting foot on a wide open field, where clouds mar the sunlight, but a warmth still radiates all around. A gentle wind flurries, blowing all around while the horizon feels endless."[8] Dillan Eastoe from Upset Magazine explained: "Recorded at weekends when day jobs and family life permitted, 'The Hope List' finds the band surging back and sounding invigorated by the hardships they've overcome to get here."[10]

Tour

The band was scheduled for a UK tour in April 2021, but got pushed for October 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11][12]

Track listing

The Hope List track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Bound"	3:36
2.	"Distant Light"	3:40
3.	"Bright Eyes"	2:57
4.	"Chasing Knives"	3:55
5.	"The Hope List"	3:52
6.	"Keeper"	3:34
7.	"(Untitled)"	0:59
8.	"Something I Said"	4:13
9.	"Open Door"	3:48
10.	"Your Heavy Heart"	3:44
11.	"The Harrow"	4:17
Total length:		38:28

Personnel

Lonely the Brave

• Jack Bennett – performance, production, mixing
• Andrew Bushen – performance
• Gavin Edgeley – performance
• Ross Smithwick – performance
• Mark Trotter – performance

Additional contributor

• Robin Schmidt – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for The Hope List

Chart (2021)	Peak position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[13]	21
UK Albums (OCC)[14]	73
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[15]	3
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[16]	3

References

1. Skinner, Tom (26 August 2020). "Lonely The Brave announce third album 'The Hope List' and share new song 'Open Door'". NME. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
2. "AnyDecentMusic? Review". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
3. "Metacritic Review". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
4. Wilding, Phillip (22 January 2021). "Lonely The Brave hit unexpected new heights on The Hope List". Classic Rock. Louder Sound. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
5. Jamieson, Sarah. "DIY Magazine Review". DIY. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
6. McConville, Mark (18 January 2021). "Gigwise Review". Gigwise. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
7. MacKinnon, James (21 January 2021). "Kerrang! Review". Kerrang!. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
8. Loftin, Steven (19 January 2021). "Lonely The Brave's new chapter is as confident as it is hopeful". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
9. Reilly, Nick (21 January 2021). "Lonely The Brave – 'The Hope List' review: British rockers' heart-pounding comeback". NME. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
10. Eastoe, Dillan (22 January 2021). "Upset Magazine Review". Upset Magazine. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
11. "Lonely the Brave - Rescheduled UK Tour". Facebook. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
12. Stickler, Jon (1 February 2021). "Lonely The Brave Reschedule UK Tour To October 2021". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
13. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
14. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
15. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
16. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 March 2021.

External links

• The Hope List at MusicBrainz
• The Hope List at Discogs (list of releases)