A brief yet impactful reminder of RK’s brilliance…
30 · 04 · 2025
It feels odd to be reviewing a ‘best of’ compilation in 2025 — even more so to be old enough to cover reunion albums from bands that were part of your youth. ‘How We Choose to Remember It’ highlights that millennials are aging — but, more importantly, that Rilo Kiley’s tracks remain timeless. After parting ways in 2013, nostalgic American indie fans celebrated the announcement of the band's reunion to headline the Just Like Heaven festival this summer. To commemorate the event, Rilo Kiley is releasing an eleven-track introduction to their catalog.
Is it necessary? Certainly not. However, there’s a charmingly retro quality to a concise overview of a band's work — and undoubtedly, a vinyl filled with hits will attract many listeners. So, what can you expect? Setting nostalgia aside, Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre De Reeder, and Jason Boesel created exceptional music that has endured. While much indie rock from that time may now sound overly sentimental or excessively emotional, Rilo Kiley still feels invigorating.
Reflecting on her solo career, it may be clear now — but Jenny Lewis was always a country artist confined within the indie rock genre. These are tales of drinking, troubled relationships, and significant errors. Lines like “When the loneliness leads to bad dreams / And the bad dreams lead me to callin’ you” from ‘Portion for Foxes’ are quintessentially Nashville. ‘I Never’, from the 2004 album ‘More Adventurous’, with its pedal steel and emotive vocals, emphasizes this point.
Nonetheless, this is an indie band — and the great riffs are plentiful as well. The intertwining guitars and harmonies of ‘Dreamworld’ feel like a hipster tribute to Fleetwood Mac, while ‘The Moneymaker’ exudes pure confidence and flair. The beloved ‘The Frug’ makes a delightful appearance, and the marching band emo of ‘A Better Son/Daughter’ still inspires solidarity. On revisiting, it’s evident how the group balanced indie and country-rock without sacrificing their intimacy or uniqueness. It’s worth noting that the tracklist on ‘That’s How We Choose To Remember It’ doesn’t merely reflect their most-streamed selections, and in this age of endless options, a curated collection can feel refreshing. For newcomers, it’s as good a starting point as any. For the long-time fans — turn up ‘Does He Love You?’ and indulge in the emotion.
7/10
Words: Sam Walker-Smart
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It feels odd to be evaluating a 'best of' compilation in 2025 — and even stranger to be of an age where I can discuss reunion albums from the bands of my younger years.