The uplifting, cathartic finale to Kim Deal’s debut solo album ‘Nobody Loves You More,’ “A Good Time Pushed” is a gentle ode to self: A declaration of acceptance exuding a quiet confidence as Deal delivers an understated reflection on the end of relationships.
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Stream: “A Good Time Pushed” – Kim Deal
We are so lucky. Kim Deal has been in her prime for the past 38 years.
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I came across this YouTube comment while watching Kim Deal’s video for her latest single “A Good Time Pushed,” which sparked one of “those” lightbulb moments.
It expressed exactly what I’d always felt, but for some reason, hadn’t ever really given it much thought. Sure, claiming an artist has been in their prime for nearly four decades might seem hyperbolic (I get it). However, in this case, it’s actually pretty spot on.
For anyone who’s followed her career — from the Pixies to The Breeders, and of course, The Amps — it’s clear that Kim Deal has been nothing short of magical. Synonymous with the gritty, unvarnished heart of alternative rock, her abrasive yet tender voice and unforgettable bass lines have earned her endless praise. Seriously, how many of us didn’t want to rock a bass after discovering “Monkey Gone to Heaven”?
As a music-worshipping teenage girl, Kim Deal was my goddess of badassery.
Part of me wants
To follow you off of this world
You quit the noise
Put it behind us
Drive a stake
They’ll never find us
Part of me wants
to push you off of this world
I’m dull and you’re doomed
I want big change
I want volume
After decades of iconic work, Deal has just released her first full-length solo album, Nobody Loves You More (November 22nd via 4AD). Following the releases of “Coast” and “Crystal Breath,” the album’s closing track and recent single, “A Good Time Pushed,” offers another sonic amuse-bouche taste of the full record.
Produced by the legendary Steve Albini (RIP) at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, the track – an understated reflection on the end of relationships – also features The Breeders members Jim Macpherson and Kelley Deal.
We are
We’re having a good time
I’ll see you around
I’ll see you around
Now is the time
For me to get what i want
And when I figure it out
Consider it bought
What pleasantly surprises me about this song is how unassuming it is: Uplifting and uncomplicated, yet carrying a powerful message without any bells and whistles.
From the opening line, “Now is the time for me to get what I want,” Deal sets the tone for emotional clarity and personal assertion. This isn’t a song bogged down by the usual angst and messiness of a breakup. Instead, it feels like someone moving forward—a declaration of acceptance, the so-called “calm after the storm.”
“A Good Time Pushed” exudes a quiet confidence; a release, not a lament. Self-assured but never brash, the track is a gentle ode to self. Deal’s voice remains as distinct as ever, and there’s a palpable sense of her stepping fully into the spotlight. Her vocals glide over the song’s sparse arrangements with ease, supported by fuzzy guitar riffs that never overshadow the lyrics or the force behind them. The reverb on the song gives it that signature Kim Deal vibe, blending lo-fi warmth with a dreamlike quality, much like her work with The Amps.
While some might argue that the song comes across as too reminiscent of the ’90s and disconnected from today’s musical trends, I find it comforting, relevant, and evocative in all the right ways. The track doesn’t feel overproduced, nor does it sound like it’s trying to desperately fit into the industry’s current landscape. It breathes in the right places and blends the rawness and authenticity we’ve come to expect from Kim Deal’s repertoire, with a subtle shift in tone and maturity. It’s not a nod to the past; it’s more like a natural progression of someone who’s spent years honing their craft and is now sharing it on their own terms.
I see you around
You’re always driving in the stake
You got doom
We are
We’re having a good time
I’ll see you around
I’ll see you around
Along with “Coast” and “Crystal Breath,” “A Good Time Pushed” is the perfect lead-up to excite fans about listening to Nobody Loves You More.
At the end of the day, more than a new single or the promise of another killer Kim Deal era, the best part is knowing that she’s still out there making music, rocking her badassery, and has plenty to say. And that makes me happy as hell.
Nobody Loves You More is out now.
We are
We’re having a good time
We’re having a good time
We’re having a good time
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Stream: “A Good Time Pushed” – Kim Deal
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© Steve Gullick
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