Ants from Up There

Every generation has a handful of perfect albums. This is one of them.

Not their absolute best work but still head and shoulders above most albums.

Really strong record that just misses the mark of perfection in a few spots. The highs here are genuinely incredible though, and even the weaker tracks are better than most artists' best work. Highly recommended.

A solid album with some standout tracks, but a bit uneven overall.

This grew on me a lot. First listen I thought it was good, not great. By the fifth listen I was completely hooked. The subtlety of the arrangements really rewards patience and close attention.

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

A rewarding listen that demands your full attention.

This is the kind of album that makes you reconsider your entire relationship with music. I thought I knew what this genre could do, and then this came along and expanded the boundaries so far that everything before it sounds slightly incomplete in comparison. Bold statement, I know, but I stand by it. The production is absolutely jaw-dropping. There are textures here that I've never heard on any other record. But what really makes it work is that all that sonic experimentation is in service of genuine emotion. It never feels like showing off. Every choice, no matter how unconventional, feels emotionally motivated. That's mastery.

The first half is near-perfect. Second half is still great but slightly less focused.

There's a reason this is universally acclaimed. It really is that good.