The New Zealand Herald wrote that "The Nihilist is not the album of hopelessness and negativity the title might suggest, but rather an exploration of the idea that there might be more to it all than what we see and believe."[6]American Songwriter called it "the first album where Finn fully explores using the studio as an instrument, creating a headphones album that doesn’t shy away from the fact that it’s pulling on his skills as a producer as much as his gifts as a songwriter."[3]
Track listing
All songs were written by Liam Finn
"Ocean Emmanuelle"
"The Nihilist"
"Snug As Fuck"
"Helena Bonham Carter"
"Burn Up the Road"
"Dreary Droop"
"Miracle Glance"
"4 Track Stomper"
"Arrow"
"I"
"Wild Animal"
"Wrestle with Dad"
Personnel
Liam Finn – vocals, all instruments except noted
Eliza-Jane Barnes – Vocals
Elroy Finn – Drums
Jol Mulholland – Bass, synth and vocals.
Cecilia Herbert – Vocals
Andrew Keoghan – Violin
Production
Engineered by Liam Finn, Chris Boosahda and Jol Mulholland
Mixed by Liam Finn and Andrew Everding
Recorded at The Stud, [theend], Tarbox and Roundhead Studios