Slave Ambient

Slave Ambient is the second studio album by American indie rock band The War on Drugs, released on August 16, 2011, on Secretly Canadian. Recorded over three years, Slave Ambient is the final release to feature contributions from founding guitarist Kurt Vile and drummer Mike Zanghi, and the first to feature drummer Steven Urgo. The album was preceded by the EP, Future Weather, in 2010. Regarding his recording contributions to Slave Ambient former guitarist Kurt Vile stated, "I was stoked to play on those songs , but I was more involved in the early days. Obviously the first record I was very involved in." Slave Ambient has appeared on several end-of-year lists. Paste ranked the album #37 on its list of the best 50 albums of 2011, writing "Even with the departure of Kurt Vile their post-Vile songs have kept them steady, and, as proven by the almost defiantly solid Slave Ambient, they can be memorable and engaging all by themselves." Uncut placed Slave Ambient at number 10 on its list, while Mojo ranked the album #21 on its end-of-year list. Pitchfork ranked the album #39 on its list of the Top 50 Albums of 2011.