Romanticize the Dive

Romanticize the Dive
Studio album by
Metric
ReleasedApril 24, 2026
Studios
GenreIndie rock[1]
Length43:16
Labels
Producers
Metric chronology
Formentera II
(2023)		 Romanticize the Dive
(2026)
Singles from Romanticize the Dive
  1. "Victim of Luck"
    Released: 3 February 2026
  2. "Time is a Bomb"
    Released: 5 March 2026
  3. "Crush Forever"
    Released: 1 April 2026

Romanticize the Dive is the tenth studio album by Canadian rock band Metric. It was released on April 24, 2026, through Metric Music International and Thirty Tigers, and received generally positive reviews.

Background and composition

Thematically, Romanticize the Dive reflects on the early stages of Metric's career; it was produced by Gavin Brown, who previously worked on Fantasies and Synthetica.[2][3] Frontwoman Emily Haines described it as the "essence" of the band, as opposed to the more "exploratory" nature of albums such as Formentera.[4]

The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York and Main Street Studios in Toronto.[2]

Release

The album was announced on 3 February 2026, alongside the first single, "Victim Of Luck".[5] The second and third singles, "Time is a Bomb", and "Crush Forever", were released on 5 March and 1 April respectively.[6][7] The release of the album was celebrated with a roller disco party in Brooklyn, which was utilised for the music video of "Crush Forever".[8]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic75/100[9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[10]
DIYStarStarStarStar[11]
musicOMHStarStarStarStar[12]
PasteB[1]
Under the RadarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[3]

On the review aggregator Metacritic, Romanticize the Dive received a score of 75 out of 100 based on seven critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[9] Joe Goggins of DIY described it as sonically "leaning into the fundamentals", and Under the Radar writer Jimi Arundell called it a "reaffirmation" of the band's most popular work.[11][3] Eric B. Danton of Paste said that despite its retrospective nature, it was not "merely a retread".[1] AllMusic reviewer Tim Sendra praised Haines' "second-to-none vocals", stating that it is "hard to image why she isn't a cultural icon on par with Hayley Williams".[10]

Track listing

Romanticize the Dive track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Victim of Luck"
3:23
2."Wild Rut"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
  • O'Neil
3:11
3."Time Is a Bomb"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
4:25
4."Crush Forever"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
  • O'Neil
4:32
5."Tremolo"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
3:43
6."Moral Compass"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
4:28
7."As If You’re Here"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • O'Neil
3:36
8."Loyal"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
3:58
9."Antigravity"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
3:40
10."Clouds to Break"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • O'Neil
4:39
11."Leave You on a High"
  • Haines
  • Shaw
  • Brown
3:35
Total length:43:16

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.[13][14]

Metric

Additional contributors

Charts

Chart performance for Romanticize the Dive
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (Official Charts)[15]10
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[16] 15
UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)[17]3
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[18] 30

References

  1. 1 2 3 Danton, Eric R. (24 April 2026). "Metric, 'Romanticize the Dive' Album Review". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 Hudson, Alex (23 April 2026). "New World Underground: Metric Are Ready to "Own the Place That We Came From"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Arundell, Jimi (24 April 2026). "Romanticize the Dive". Under the Radar. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Trendell, Andrew (3 February 2026). "Metric are getting back to their essence in the era of "solo artists and billionaires" on 'Romanticize The Dive'". NME. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  5. ↑ Murray, Robin (3 February 2026). "Metric Announce New Album 'Romanticize The Dive'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  6. ↑ Chelosky, Danielle (5 March 2026). "Metric Share New Song "Time Is A Bomb": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Murray, Robin (1 April 2026). "Metric's 'Crush Forever' Is An Ode To Femme Energy". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Josh (9 April 2026). "Metric celebrating 'Romanticize the Dive ' album release with roller disco party and video shoot". ABC Audio. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Romanticize the Dive by Metric". Metacritic. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Sendra, Tim (25 April 2026). "Romanticize the Dive - Metric". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 Goggins, Joe (22 April 2026). "Metric - Romanticize The Dive". DIY. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  12. ↑ Murphy, John (23 April 2026). "Metric - Romanticize The Dive". musicOMH. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  13. ↑ Romanticize the Dive (Media notes). Metric. Thirty Tigers. April 24, 2026.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ "Romanticize The Dive / Metric / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 1/5/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Official Albums Sales Chart on 1/5/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 1/5/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Top Album Sales: Week of May 9, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
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