Boxer

Not sure what happened here. Their previous work was so strong and this feels like a significant step backward. The songwriting is lazy, the production is overwrought, and the whole thing feels phoned in. A couple of decent tracks don't save it.

Not sure what happened here. Their previous work was so strong and this feels like a significant step backward. The songwriting is lazy, the production is overwrought, and the whole thing feels phoned in. A couple of decent tracks don't save it.

I slept on this for way too long. A friend kept recommending it and I kept putting it off, and now I feel like I wasted years not having this in my life. The songwriting is remarkably assured — these aren't the kind of hooks that grab you immediately and then fade. They're the slow-burn kind that embed themselves in your brain and only get stronger over time. The production deserves a lot of credit too. It's detailed without being cluttered, polished without being sterile. There's a warmth to the sound that makes it feel alive and breathing. A few tracks could have been trimmed but honestly that's a minor complaint about an excellent record.

I think this album gets slightly overlooked in discussions about the best of its era, which is a shame because it does so many things right. The arrangements are inventive without being showy, the performances are committed and emotionally present, and the overall arc of the tracklist is really well considered. My only real criticism is that it occasionally feels like it's holding back when it should be going for broke. There are moments where you can sense a bigger, bolder idea lurking just beneath the surface. But what's actually here is still great — a confident, cohesive album that rewards close listening and repeated plays.

There's not a wasted second on this record. Even the interludes and transitions feel purposeful. I've seen people debate which track is the best and the fact that there's no consensus tells you everything about how consistently excellent it is.

A decent listen but it doesn't hold up to repeated plays the way their best work does.

There's a before and after with this album. It changed everything.

A few good tracks don't save a mostly underwhelming album.

The arrangements here are stunning. You can tell real care went into every detail.

I tried multiple times but can't connect with this at all.