"A Dream Is All We Know"is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Lemon Twigs, released on May 3, 2024, via Captured Tracks. Entirely written, performed, and produced by brothers Michael and Brian D'Addario, the album includes a track co-produced by Sean Ono Lennon, who also contributed bass guitar. The album continues the band's tradition of drawing heavily on vintage influences, blending late-1960s power pop and progressive rock with their distinctive theatricality.
Michael D'Addario described the album as more whimsical than its predecessor, Everything Harmony, while still addressing themes like the elusiveness of dreams and fears of unrealized potential. The Lemon Twigs drew on inspirations such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Sagittarius, and Roy Wood's solo work (Boulders and Mustard). Musical highlights include tracks such as "My Golden Years," a vibrant power pop anthem, "In the Eyes of the Girl," a lush doo-wop ballad featuring Sean Ono Lennon's production and bass work, "If You and I Are Not Wise," a reflective piece rooted in the band’s earlier writing, and "Ember Days," a track dating back to the Everything Harmony sessions. Brian D'Addario performed many of the horn and string arrangements on the album, which highlight their meticulous approach to instrumentation.
The brothers recorded most of the album in their compact Brooklyn studio, favoring analog equipment like tape machines and spring reverb to capture a warm, retro sound. The collaborative session with Sean Ono Lennon for "In the Eyes of the Girl" took place in his upstate New York studio, adding an organic layer to the recording.
Critics praised A Dream Is All We Know for its lush arrangements, meticulous craftsmanship, and homage to 1960s pop sensibilities. Its blend of whimsy and introspection has been highlighted as a continuation and evolution of the Lemon Twigs' unique musical identity. The album was supported by four singles released early in 2024, setting the stage for a successful rollout.
