Albums to watch

Fight Softly

The Ruby Suns

Fight Softly

Latest collection of calypso-inflected psych-pop and electro-pop from the Auckland-based band led by Ryan McPhun

ADM rating[?]

6.4

Label
Memphis Industries
UK Release date
01/03/2010
  1. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  2. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Fight Softly, has the airy free spirit exhibited on their two previous outings. Like a watercolour built up from layers of opaque colour stacked on top of one another to create something pastoral and beautiful, there is a lot going on
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  3. 8.0 |   The Times

    Comparisons with Animal Collective’s freewheeling vision of psychedelic pop are inevitable
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  4. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    It's an ambitious collection, but singer Ryan McPhun's gentle voice lends this second album by the Kiwis a beautiful tone
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  5. 7.0 |   FasterLouder

    There is much to admire in the way The Ruby Suns have taken a different tact with this album and for its failings there are as many moments of clever, original and entrancing, quirky pop music
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  6. 7.0 |   The Quietus

    ...a satisfyingly un-pretentious record
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  7. 7.0 |   Clash

    The endless experimentation can grate but ‘Fight Softly’ is a bold attempt to further stretch pop music
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  8. 6.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    McPhun has taken an about turn away from tribal drums and tucked away mysticism into terrain that is simultaneously bigger, brighter and poppier yet somehow more inward looking
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  9. 6.1 |   Pitchfork

    Fight Softly retains very little of the ease and abandon that, to date, had marked the Ruby Suns
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  10. 6.0 |   Under The Radar

    There isn’t as much fun to be had here as on previous releases
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  11. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  12. 6.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  13. 6.0 |   PopMatters

    Retains just enough spark and spirit to satisfy longtime fans
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  14. 6.0 |   Blurt

    At this point I'm torn between wanting McPhun to settle on one style of music and enjoying the bumpy ride of each of his records
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  15. 5.5 |   Bowlegs

    Here’s hoping that his next stop will be a little more interesting
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  16. 4.0 |   The Skinny

    For those who’ve experienced the thrill of Ryan McPhun in full, unbridled flow this is a crushing disappointment
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  17. 4.0 |   The Independent

    A disappointing change of direction
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