Melodrama

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

I was skeptical of the hype but this completely lives up to it.

What sets this apart from other great albums is the consistency. There's no filler, no dips in quality, just track after track of brilliance. The emotional arc from start to finish is perfectly constructed. An easy 5.

Ambitious album that mostly delivers. There are one or two moments where they overreach, but the confidence and vision on display are admirable. The standout tracks here are absolutely world-class.

Flawless execution of an ambitious vision. This is why we love music.

This has some of the best individual songs of the decade even if the album has weak spots.

Incredibly well-crafted. A few moments don't work but the highs are very high.

There's a really great EP buried inside this album. The problem is the surrounding material dilutes the impact. When this hits, it HITS — a couple of these tracks are among the best things they've ever done. But then you get a run of three mediocre songs in a row and the momentum completely dies. I appreciate the attempt at a longer, more ambitious project, but I think this artist works better in shorter formats. The ideas here are strong but they're stretched too thin. Still worth hearing for the highlights though.

Perfect from front to back. Not a single moment wasted.

Probably the most perfectly sequenced album I've ever heard. Each track sets up the next one beautifully and the climax hits like a freight train. The fact that they pulled this off is honestly kind of miraculous.