Path of Wellness

Following a nine-year hiatus, the American punk rock band Sleater-Kinney announced their return with the track "Bury Our Friends" on October 19, 2014.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Alex |last2=Coplan |first2=Chris |title=Listen to Sleater-Kinney's new song 'Bury Our Friends' |url=https://consequence.net/2014/10/listen-to-sleater-kinneys-new-song-bury-our-friends/ |work=Consequence |date=October 19, 2014 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} On January 20, 2015, they released No Cities to Love via Sub Pop Records, the first Sleater-Kinney album since 2005's The Woods.{{cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |title=Sleater-Kinney's Secret Basement Sessions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/arts/music/sleater-kinney-reunites.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited}} Three years later, singer and guitarist Carrie Brownstein told Pitchfork that Sleater-Kinney was working on a follow-up effort to No Cities To Love, but that they were "going to do this very slowly".{{cite news |last=Blais-Billie |first=Braudie |title=Sleater-Kinney Working on New Album |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/sleater-kinney-working-on-new-album/ |work=Pitchfork |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} In January 2019, Brownstein confirmed to NPR that the album was produced by St. Vincent and would be released later in the year.{{cite news |last=Hilton |first=Robin |title=New Sleater-Kinney Album, Produced By St. Vincent, Confirmed For This Year |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2019/01/08/683258495/new-sleater-kinney-album-produced-by-st-vincent-confirmed-for-this-year |work=All Songs Considered |publisher=NPR |date=January 8, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}}

On July 1, 2019, drummer Janet Weiss announced over Instagram that she was leaving Sleater-Kinney, saying, "The band is heading in a new direction and it is time for me to move on."{{cite news |last=Gotrich |first=Lars |title=Drummer Janet Weiss Leaves Sleater-Kinney |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/07/01/737595174/drummer-janet-weiss-leaves-sleater-kinney |publisher=NPR |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} Sleater-Kinney's ninth studio album, The Center Won't Hold, was released a month and a half later, on August 16.{{cite news |last=Arcand |first=Rob |title=Stream Sleater-Kinney's New Album The Center Won't Hold |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/08/sleater-kinney-the-center-wont-hold-album-stream/ |work=Spin |date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} There was some speculation among fans that Weiss had left Sleater-Kinney due to St. Vincent's involvement in the new record, which Brownstein denied, saying that it was originally Weiss's idea to work with her.{{cite news |last=Daramola |first=Israel |title=Sleater-Kinney Talk Janet Weiss' Departure and Being Inspired by Rihanna in New Interview |url=https://www.spin.com/2019/07/sleater-kinney-janet-weiss-departure-rihanna-new-interview/ |work=Spin |date=July 29, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} Responding to a fan on Instagram, Brownstein added, "She left. We asked her to stay. We tried. It's hard and sad."{{cite news |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |title=Carrie Brownstein Says Sleater-Kinney Asked Janet Weiss To Not Leave The Band |url=https://uproxx.com/indie/carrie-brownstein-sleater-kinney-janet-weiss-leave-stay/ |work=Uproxx |date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} When Sleater-Kinney went on tour that September to promote The Center Won't Hold, they recruited Angie Boylan of Aye Nako as their touring drummer.{{cite news |title=Sleater-Kinney's new drummer is Angie Boylan (watch their first show together) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sleater-kinneys-new-drummer-is-angie-boylan-watch-their-first-show-together/ |work=BrooklynVegan |date=September 6, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}} That November, Weiss appeared on the Trap Set With Joe Wong podcast, saying that she had left Sleater-Kinney because the "roles changed within the band", and that she was "just the drummer now" as opposed to "a creative equal" with Tucker and Brownstein.{{cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |title=Janet Weiss Opens Up About Sleater-Kinney Exit: 'The Roles Changed Within the Band' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/janet-weiss-sleater-kinney-interview-podcast-915033/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 20, 2019 |access-date=January 1, 2022}}

On May 11, 2021, Sleater-Kinney announced the album title, cover art, and release date for Path of Wellness, and promised their fans "so much more, soon".{{cite news |last=Skinner |first=Tom |title=Sleater-Kinney announce self-produced new album Path Of Wellness' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sleater-kinney-new-album-single-path-of-wellness-listen-2938194 |work=NME |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} Accompanying the album announcement was the release of Path of Wellness{{'}}s lead single and music video, "Worry With You".{{cite news |title=Sleater-Kinney share new single Worry With You, announce new album |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/sleater-kinney-share-new-single-worry-with-you-announce-new-album |work=Louder Sound |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} The video, directed by Alberta Poon, features a young couple, played by Fabi Reyna and Megan Watson, attempting to cohabitate in their undersized house. Tucker and Brownstein make cameo appearances as an actor in a pharmaceutical commercial and as a television fitness instructor, respectively.{{cite magazine |last=Shaffer |first=Claire |title=Sleater-Kinney Return With New Single 'Worry With You' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sleater-kinney-worry-with-you-1167753/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} On May 26, the band released their follow-up single and video to "Worry With You", titled "High in the Grass".{{cite news |last=Skinner |first=Tom |title=Listen to Sleater-Kinney's riff-heavy new single 'High In The Grass' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sleater-kinney-new-single-high-in-the-grass-listen-2949045 |work=NME |date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} Directed by Kelly Sears, the video for "High in the Grass" provides a psychedelic element, with trees with eyes and a number of decapitated figures, both dancing and attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation, before culminating in a dance party.{{cite magazine |last=Ehrlich |first=Brenna |title=Sleater-Kinney Get 'High in the Grass' in New Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sleater-kinney-high-in-the-grass-1174597/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 26, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} The final single to be released in advance of Path of Wellness was "Method", which came out on June 9.{{cite news |last=Kenneally |first=Cerys |title=Sleater-Kinney release 'Method' as final single from new album |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/sleater-kinney-release-method-as-final-single-from-new-album |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=June 9, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} The song was accompanied by a Lance Bangs-directed lyric video.{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |title=Sleater-Kinney Ponder Love and Hate on New Song 'Method' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sleater-kinney-new-song-method-1180879/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 9, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

To accompany the June 11 release of Path of Wellness, Sleater-Kinney announced a variety show-style livestream on Amazon Music's Twitch channel, beginning at 9{{nbsp}}p.m. (ET) on June 10.{{cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Sleater-Kinney Drop Brooding 'Method' Single, Announce Livestream Variety Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/sleater-kinney-method-single-livestream-variety-show-9585420/ |magazine=Billboard |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} Hosted by Chris Hewett, the livestream featured "interviews, live performances and a fortune teller weighing in on [the band's] future prospects", as well as a variety of guest appearances from celebrities and musicians such as Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, and Matt Berninger from the National. On June 25, Sleater-Kinney released a live extended play titled Live At The Hallowed Halls, featuring recordings of the four tracks on Path of Wellness that they played during the livestream event.{{Cite news |last=Doria |first=Matt |title=Sleater-Kinney release Amazon-exclusive EP 'Live At The Hallowed Halls' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sleater-kinney-release-amazon-exclusive-ep-live-at-the-hallowed-halls-2977778 |work=NME |date=June 25, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} Sleater-Kinney promoted Path of Wellness with two other live and recorded events. On June 16, Sleater-Kinney appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform "Worry With You". Rather than playing in front of a live studio audience, the band submitted a pre-taped performance from an abandoned skate park.{{cite magazine |last=Shaffer |first=Claire |title=Sleater-Kinney Perform 'Worry With You' on 'Late Show With Colbert' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sleater-kinney-worry-with-you-late-show-colbert-1185602/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}} The next day, Tucker and Brownstein appeared on the Audible service Words + Music to discuss "30 years of shared history making music and making noise".{{cite news |last=Doria |first=Matt |title=Sleater-Kinney share new single 'Method', announce livestreamed variety show |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/sleater-kinney-share-new-single-method-announce-livestreamed-variety-show-2965326 |work=NME |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

{{expand section|date=August 2023}}

{{Album ratings

| ADM = 7.1/10{{cite web |title=Path of Wellness by Sleater-Kinney reviews |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/12884/Sleater-Kinney-Path-Of-Wellness.aspx |publisher=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| MC = 78/100{{cite web |title=Path of Wellness by Sleater-Kinney Reviews and Tracks |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/path-of-wellness/sleater-kinney |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev1 = The A.V. Club

| rev1score = B{{cite news |last=Rife |first=Katie |title=Sleater-Kinney's Path Of Wellness is paved with guitars |url=https://www.avclub.com/sleater-kinneys-path-of-wellness-is-paved-with-guitars-1847075934 |work=The A.V. Club |date=June 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev2 = Beats Per Minute

| rev2score = 58%{{cite news |last=Wohlmacher |first=John |title=Album Review: Sleater-Kinney{{snd}}Path of Wellness |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-sleater-kinney-path-of-wellness/ |work=Beats Per Minute |date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev3 = Clash

| rev3score = 7/10{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Robin |title=Sleater-Kinney{{snd}}Path Of Wellness |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/sleater-kinney-path-of-wellness |work=Clash |date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev4score = B+{{Cite magazine |last=Hirsh |first=Marc |title=Path of Wellness review: Sleater-Kinney finds the center again |url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/path-of-wellness-review-sleater-kinney/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev5 = Exclaim!

| rev5score = 8/10{{cite news |last=Sylvester |first=Daniel |title=Sleater-Kinney Succeed in People-Pleasing on 'Path of Wellness' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/sleater-kinney_path_of_wellness_album_review |work=Exclaim! |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last=Hunt |first=El |title=Sleater-Kinney{{snd}}'Path of Wellness' review: rockers take direct route in tackling our plight |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/sleater-kinney-path-of-wellness-2958051 |work=NME |date=June 9, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev7 = Paste

| rev7score = 7.3/10{{cite news |last=Schonfeld |first=Zach |title=Sleater-Kinney Reinvent Themselves as a Duo on Path of Wellness |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/sleater-kinney/path-of-wellness-album-review/ |work=Paste |date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 6.8/10{{cite news |last=Kemp |first=Sophie |title=Sleater-Kinney: Path of Wellness Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/sleater-kinney-path-of-wellness/ |work=Pitchfork |date=June 15, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |title=Sleater-Kinney Roar Back to Life on 'Path of Wellness' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/sleater-kinney-roar-back-to-life-on-path-of-wellness-1180934/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 10, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

| rev10 = Under the Radar

| rev10score = {{rating|7.5|10}}{{cite news |last=Berlyant |first=Matthew |title=Sleater-Kinney: Path of Wellness (Mom + Pop){{snd}}review |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/path_of_wellness_sleater_kinney |work=Under the Radar |date=June 1, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021}}

}}

Path of Wellness was met with mostly positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Path of Wellness has an average score of 78 based on 18 reviews. The review aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album 7.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

{{Track listing

| headline = Path of Wellness track listing

| total_length = 38:57

| title1 = Path of Wellness

| length1 = 2:40

| title2 = High in the Grass

| length2 = 4:05

| title3 = Worry with You

| length3 = 3:50

| title4 = Method

| length4 = 4:20

| title5 = Shadow Town

| length5 = 5:10

| title6 = Favorite Neighbor

| length6 = 2:49

| title7 = Tomorrow's Grave

| length7 = 3:52

| title8 = No Knives

| length8 = 1:16

| title9 = Complex Female Characters

| length9 = 3:00

| title10 = Down the Line

| length10 = 4:06

| title11 = Bring Mercy

| length11 = 3:49

}}

{{expand section|date=August 2023}}

Sleater-Kinney

• Carrie Brownstein – guitar, production
• Corin Tucker – guitar, production

{{Reflist}}

{{Sleater-Kinney}}

Category:2021 albums

Category:Sleater-Kinney albums

Category:Mom + Pop Music albums