Incubus - If Not Now, When? (Japanese Edition) (2011)

If Not Now, When? is the seventh studio album by American rock band Incubus, released on July 12, 2011 and named after the novel by Primo Levi. Preceded by the singles, "Adolescents" and "Promises, Promises", the album represented the band's longest gap between studio albums at the time, and their final full-length release through long-time label Epic Records. Described by guitarist Michael Einziger as "a very straightforward, concise album," If Not Now, When? was recorded in the wake of an extended hiatus, and produced by frequent collaborator Brendan O'Brien. The album's cover features high wire artist Philippe Petit.

At the close of the band's tour in support of Light Grenades (2006), the band entered an extended hiatus. Vocalist Brandon Boyd noted, "It's not that we were burned out being in a band or being in this band; I think that we, collectively, were feeling like if we didn't step away from this monster that we created then it would begin to consume us. We had to plant some roots, lest we start to write songs about living on a tour bus. So we had to fall in love, we had to fall out of love, we had to make homes." Guitarist Michael Einziger elaborated further, "It just got to this point where we had been going strong for such a long period of time that we really accomplished all of our goals. It was like, 'Ok, well what do we do now?' Obviously there are lots of things to do but I think we wanted to take some time, each of us personally, to explore a little bit and find out what the rest of the world was like." Bassist Ben Kenney stated, "Being with music is a creative thing and requires a certain amount of creativity - to just keep going back to that well over and over again, it doesn’t have a chance to replenish."

During this time, the band issued a greatest hits collection, Monuments and Melodies (2009), Boyd recorded and released a solo album, The Wild Trapeze (2010), Einziger studied music theory and composition as well as evolutionary biology at Harvard University, Kenney recorded another solo album, and drummer Jose Pasillas became a father. Upon the band's return, Boyd noted, "We weren't sitting at home twiddling our thumbs or anything; all of us had a lot to do. And eventually, it got to the point where it was like, 'It's time'." Regarding their reunion, Einziger stated, "I think just the gravity of my friendships with the guys in the band is really what caused the band's return to happen - our friendships with each other." The band subsequently reconvened in August 2010 to begin work on their next studio album.

The band subsequently began recording with producer Brendan O'Brien, who had previously worked with the band on Light Grenades (2006) and A Crow Left of the Murder… (2004). Recording took place at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Henson Studios in Los Angeles and Casa Chica in Malibu. Vocalist Brandon Boyd discussed the decision to work with O'Brien once again, stating, "We grew up listening to his records. We quickly became friends and that's been a catalyst for our success with him. He understands that we like to work quickly." Einziger elaborated further, "I love Brendan and I consider him like a family member. Over the years he’s been like a musical confidante and he’s been very loyal and very helpful. He’s gotten involved in other stuff that he didn’t have to get involved with outside of the band." Pasillas noted, "He’s kind of like a sixth member." Einziger recorded the majority of his guitar parts in his house.

Critical reception for the album has been mixed; it holds a rating of 48 on review aggregator Metacritic. Most critics noted the lack of harder songs on the album and its "slow, elevator-music-style tempo".

If Not Now, When? debuted at #2 in the U.S. with first-week sales of 80,000. As of March 2015, the album has sold 222,000 copies in the United States. According to Steve Rennie, the band's former manager, the album has sold around 600,000 copies worldwide.

Track List:
01. If Not Now, When? [05:05]
02. Promises, Promises [04:25]
03. Friends and Lovers [04:07]
04. Thieves [04:16]
05. Isadore [04:35]
06. The Original [05:05]
07. Defiance [02:19]
08. In the Company of Wolves [07:35]
09. Switchblade [03:27]
10. Adolescents [04:49]
11. Tomorrow's Food [04:19]
12. Surface to Air [04:12]
13. Megalomaniac (Explicit Version) (Live) [05:37]
14. Pardon Me (Live) [03:58]
15. Anna Molly (Live) [03:49]
16. Wish You Were Here (Live) [03:41]