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9.1
86101
9.1 |
Pretty Much Amazing
These tracks don’t feel futuristic, but they shine with a blinding light, capping one of the most impressive arcs of any album so far this year
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9.0
84703
9.0 |
PopMatters
An album that is absolutely, unabashedly classic Underworld
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8.5
85181
8.5 |
The Quietus
An album on which Underworld reestablish themselves as supreme dance music architects
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8.5
84860
8.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Underworld reflect on their past work to come up with their best album in nearly twenty years
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8.3
84822
8.3 |
A.V. Club
By the time the triumphant final expansive push to the end arrives, it’s become one of Underworld’s most powerful musical statements—and the memorable grace note to a strong return to form
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8.1
84704
8.1 |
Pitchfork
The kind of music that makes you sob happysad tears in your car in the Sunday afternoon sunlight as you think about the people you wish were riding with you
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8.0
84702
8.0 |
Spin
It’s an inspired record born from the desperation of years-long stagnancy
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8.0
84710
8.0 |
Mojo
It’s elemental Underworld, and their most generous work in years. Print edition only
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8.0
84711
8.0 |
Q
Reanimated and expansive, the grand old men of rave get their mojo back. Print edition only
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8.0
84824
8.0 |
All Music
If it's considered to be "late-era," it must also be considered "miraculous"
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8.0
84757
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
For the most part, Barbara… is the sound of a band peaking all over again
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8.0
84811
8.0 |
The Irish Times
They’ve still got those old smarts when it comes to productions that pack a punch and a thump
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8.0
84820
8.0 |
The Guardian
Dance music pioneers reach a state of bliss
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8.0
84886
8.0 |
Evening Standard
As ever they’re at their best when they take chances, not least on the clattering I Exhale
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8.0
85063
8.0 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
Creative and melodic, this is a step forward in their career
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8.0
84913
8.0 |
The Observer
The optimism of the title is well founded
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8.0
84978
8.0 |
musicOMH
They remain one of our lingering national musical treasures
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8.0
84983
8.0 |
State
Underworld deserve kudos for striving for artistic betterment – the sense of hope in the album’s title pointing to where the gleaming years ahead might bring us
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8.0
85313
8.0 |
Gig Soup
One of the sharpest records the band have crafted in years
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7.5
85203
7.5 |
Spectrum Culture
Underworld manages to sound more current than their peers reforming for a quick buck
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7.5
84753
7.5 |
Consequence Of Sound
The British electronic duo slow things down for their strongest record in years
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7.5
84773
7.5 |
Under The Radar
They just keep doing what they want, how they want, when they want. Nothing is more punk than that
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7.0
84846
7.0 |
Beardfood
They're still so capable as electronic musicians
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7.0
84856
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Gone are the tub-thumpers of yore in favour of understated, yet nevertheless, euphoric electronica bursting with hope
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7.0
84712
7.0 |
Uncut
Maybe the missing link between Mark E Smith and James Murphy.
Print edition only
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7.0
85026
7.0 |
Clash
Shows that Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are content to inhabit a secluded glade of Olympus away from the glare of the spotlight
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6.0
84889
6.0 |
The Independent
It’s beautiful and warm, more poignant than nostalgic, and it heralds an album on which that pioneer spirit drives Underworld’s best music in years
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6.0
85416
6.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
It’s a settled, domestic, respectably middle-class dance record
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6.0
84750
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
The album's title is both informed by death and incongruously the most optimistic phrase the group's been attached to since “You bring light in”
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6.0
84701
6.0 |
The Skinny
There are moments here that stand alongside Underworld's best
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5.0
84705
5.0 |
The Music
Barbara ends up fading away leaving concerns about Underworld's own future
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