Folklore

This grew on me enormously. What initially seemed messy revealed itself as brilliant.

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.

Not just a great album — a cultural touchstone.

A once-in-a-generation artistic achievement.

The instrumentation is gorgeous throughout. Really well produced.

Actively unpleasant listening experience for me. I can appreciate craft without enjoying the result, and that's exactly what happened here. Well-made music that I never want to hear again. Different strokes, I suppose.

Somehow sounds even better decades later.

Love the sonic palette on this record. Every sound feels intentional and the mix is pristine. A couple of the songs blur together on casual listens but focused listening reveals the nuances. Very strong work overall.

Revisiting this for what must be my 200th listen and it still gives me chills at the same moments. The mark of a truly great album is that it never loses its power no matter how familiar it becomes. If anything, knowing what's coming makes the anticipation even better. I played this for a friend recently who had somehow never heard it, and watching their face during certain moments was like experiencing it for the first time all over again. The sharp intake of breath during that one transition. The slow smile spreading during the climax. This album connects on a primal level that transcends taste or genre preference.

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.