Courtney Barnett - Creature of Habit (Album Review)
Friday, 27 March 2026
Written by James Palaczky
Photo: Lindsey Byrnes
Who needs therapy when you have Courtney Barnett? A standout in an already stellar discography, Barnett’s fourth LP ‘Creature of Habit’ feels like your heartbeat returning to normal after a panic attack. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a guilty midnight cigarette, or a remedy to settle the nerves if you’ve drunk too much coffee on an empty stomach.
By balancing anxiety with the remedy of self-reflection, Barnett offers listeners a sobering yet poignant mantra in a fashion only she is capable of and, in one respect, it’s fair to say the Australian songwriter hasn’t strayed far from her comfort zone.
From the deadpan, tongue-in-cheek lyrics to the familiar garage-rock guitar tone, the warm embrace of 2015’s ‘Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit’ is always just around the corner. But that record is a fan favourite for a reason.
On further investigation, though, ‘Creature of Habit’ emphasises the real beauty of Barnett’s approach: its subtlety. Over the course of this album she beautifully encapsulates the guilt and uncertainty of self-sabotage as the result of self-doubt.
Not one to talk down to her audience, Barnett explores the possibility of breaking the deadlock on old routines and dares to take a peek at that greener grass she’s heard so much about. Pair this with winningly off-the-cuff, catchy indie-rock tunes it’s a recipe for a hazy and carefully-meditated slice of brilliance. If your head feels a little loud, our advice is to turn your phone off, close the blinds, and give ‘Creature of Habit’ a spin.
Courtney Barnett Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri March 27 2026 - KINGSTON UPON THAMES Circuit
Sat March 28 2026 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Sun March 29 2026 - SUNDERLAND Independent
Mon March 30 2026 - HEBDEN BRIDGE Trades Club
Wed April 01 2026 - BEDFORD Esquires
Thu April 02 2026 - MARGATE Where Else
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