Albums to watch

Twentytwo In Blue

Sunflower Bean

Twentytwo In Blue

Second album from the Brooklyn-based psych-pop trio Nick Kivlen, Julia Cumming, and Jacob Faber

ADM rating[?]

7.2

Label
Lucky Number
UK Release date
23/03/2018
US Release date
23/03/2018
  1. 10.0 |   NME

    The NYC trio's second album is brimming with rage, humour and humanity
    Read Review

  2. 8.2 |   Gig Soup

    Melody is at the heart of this uplifting album. Tune after tune hits the mark. The first four songs rush from one high to another, and the band’s chemistry still sparks on the last three tracks
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    Amid all the giddily indulgent genre-hopping, there’s genuine heart
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   Paste Magazine

    These are no average millennials. Sunflower Bean are wise beyond their years
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    This is a convincing realignment from a band whose fears of the future have coincided with the euphoria of musical liberation
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Though much is often said about Sunflower Bean’s sounds of the past, Twenty Two In Blue is an impressive reflection of their formative years and a place to start talking about their future
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    This is a record made by people who you sense are full of all of the possibilities of the world, looking to cram it all in and make some fine music as a soundtrack. They've done a pretty great job so far
    Read Review

  8. 8.0 |   Clash

    In leaving the mythical landscape of adolescence behind, Sunflower Bean have found a maturity and a balance between lyrics and melody that infatuates
    Read Review

  9. 8.0 |   DIY

    They progress leaps and bounds on from the foundations of their debut
    Read Review

  10. 8.0 |   All Music

    Everything on Twentytwo in Blue fits together perfectly; from the songs to the sounds to the performances, it's indie rock and pop at their thoughtful, searching, sweet, and punchy best
    Read Review

  11. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Second time out, they've all but eradicated the gauzy abstractions, in favour of a cards-on-table, powerpop sound. Print edition only

  12. 8.0 |   Q

    The vintage record store rummaging has given way to a more pared-back sound. Here, retro guitar tones and proggy breakdowns complement rather than dominate. Print edition only

  13. 7.5 |   A.V. Club

    The album’s lyrics are full of introspection about the nature of getting older despite still being young, which helps Twentytwo acquire that timeless sheen borne by good pop acts everywhere—and from any year
    Read Review

  14. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The New York-based trio have all the ingredients to achieve something spectacular
    Read Review

  15. 7.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Although Sunflower Bean’s Twenty To In Blue won’t be the most original LP of the year, it’s undeniably significant, as it’s an insightful guide book for the older generation in understanding how the youth feel today
    Read Review

  16. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    At times, it may not agree with the sleaze associated with their older, carefree influences. Instead, they envision a musical template where rock n' roll can be inclusive and honest, and not dangerous
    Read Review

  17. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    As the 40-something minutes play out, and the 11 tracks that make up the album flow from one indie rocker into another, you can't help but get swept up in the feeling of the record
    Read Review

  18. 6.5 |   Earbuddy

    Come for the great singles. Stay for the... great singles.
    Read Review

  19. 6.4 |   Pitchfork

    Offers a reverent spin on the alt and indie-rock canon. Their songwriting has grown tighter since their debut, but their music is unlikely to inspire strong emotions
    Read Review

  20. 6.0 |   The Observer

    Cumming has a bright, flexible voice that’s pleasant enough to listen to, yet sometimes fails to fully engage with the emotions expressed in her lyrics
    Read Review

  21. 6.0 |   Uncut

    More of a safe record than a spectacular one. Print edition only

  22. 5.5 |   Spectrum Culture

    Sunflower Bean has gotten by on enthusiasm more than any sort of prodigious talent
    Read Review

  23. 5.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    Having a great record collection and knowing what to do with it are two different things; sadly, Sunflower Bean are lacking in the latter.
    Read Review

  24. 4.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Why did the hype machine settle on this lacy doily, when so many other artists in less sought-after pockets of the world wield sharper knives and stranger forks?
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Latest Reviews

More reviews