A tightly focused collection of songs, "Styles We Paid For" was recorded remotely by the band members during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, with Pollard sending out parts to be overdubbed by his bandmates.
- The album was released digitally on December 11, 2020, with a vinyl release following in early 2021 on Pollard's own GBV Inc. label.
- The album features twelve songs, each under four minutes in length, typical of the band's concise songwriting approach.
- Critics noted the album's cohesive sound, despite the remote recording process, with some comparing it favorably to earlier works.
Guided by Voices is a prolific indie rock band from Dayton, Ohio, led by Robert Pollard. The group is known for its prolific output of concise, melodic, and often lo-fi songs. "Styles We Paid For" arrived late in Guided by Voices' long and varied discography, continuing their streak of prolific output in the 2020s with material recorded during the pandemic lockdowns.
Tracklist
