For Emma, Forever Ago

Perfectly serviceable album that I enjoy in the moment but forget about as soon as it's over. That's not necessarily a criticism — sometimes you just want something pleasant on in the background. It fills that role well.

The production is excellent but the songwriting doesn't always match up.

Really impressive album that showcases an artist at a creative peak. The range of sounds and moods they explore here is remarkable, and what's more impressive is that it all feels cohesive rather than scattered. The transitions between tracks are so smooth you barely notice them. There are a handful of moments where the ambition slightly exceeds the execution — a lyric that doesn't quite land, a sonic idea that needed a bit more development — but these are minor blemishes on an otherwise excellent record. The standout tracks here are among the best songs released in the last decade.

An essential listen for anyone who cares about music. Period.

Arguably the greatest album in its genre. Hard to argue otherwise.

This is fine but I expected more given the critical consensus.

I appreciate what they were going for even if it doesn't fully land.

I appreciate the artistic risk-taking even if the result is a bit of a mess. There are kernels of good ideas scattered throughout but nothing is developed enough to really land. Frustrating because you can hear the potential.

Some truly transcendent moments here. A few tracks feel like filler but overall stellar.

The instrumentation is gorgeous throughout. Really well produced.