Relaxer [Explicit]

Definitely a grower. First listen was very disappointing. After about 10 listens I can safely say that this is a strong release. They definitely explored new territory on this release on a couple cuts that I am really not fond of. However, this is subjective, and I would've been just as disappointed if they released a replica of previous albums. The only cuts I have a feeling I will not be listening to in the future are "in Cold Blood" and "hit me like that snare". ( the latter being the worst song I've ever heard from the group) I digress... Every other song is beautiful crafted and I have fallen deeply in love with WW3, Dead crush, Adeliene, Pleader, and the other tracks on the album... Cheers and enjoy

I like it! I don't think its that far off from their other stuff. I think there is definitely a different sound & style specifically on a few tracks, but I think some of the slower stuff is inline with what they have done. Its also a short album so there are less songs to analyze. I loved In cold blood, from the second I heard it, I also like dead crush.
My 3 children love Alt J. We would stream Glastonbury 2013 on the TV or play it while we walk and my 3 year old would fall asleep to them DAILY. And the other 2 just got used to hearing them all the time. From a 6 & 8 year old perspective they say "he sounds different" But they love it too!!

I have to admit not what I expected. I have followed alt j from the very beginning and even though this album is it's own creature I still love it. listen all the way through at least twice.

I love alt-J and I'm so thankful to have this new release and one of my favorite songs has to be Adeline and dead crush is my most favorite for the upbeat song . I don't know why everybody loves the pleader I don't get it I've listened and listened I just don't get it but over all so happy this new album is out and if you are an altJ fan you need to buy it and come to the concert

Sublime, hypnotic, unexpected and magical. I wish I could harness all the images these songs bring to mind. So many layers, turns, I wander around the audio fun house, the maze that only Alt-J can create. Brilliant.

Only 8 songs long, but 4 super catchy prog pop songs and 4 that are more nuanced. No weak tracks unlike their first album (not even going to mention the second) and the only downside is that like just about all music released now there is no dynamic range.

Very well pressed album, unique (as always) from Alt-J. This is by far the thickest and highest-quality vinyl album I have in my collection. No skips/scratches/warps. Can't recommend more!

If you are buying this album because you are an Alt-J fan boy, then your reactions might be mixed.

When I listened to the entire album for the first time, I was honestly disappointed. I listened to it late at night, after a long day at work and school, and was not impressed. My first thought was, rest of the album was nothing like the three single releases that teased their fans. I did enjoy Deathcrush, because of the classic Alt-J sound.
The next morning, I wanted to listen to it one more time. And it seemed like my first impressions did not look at the full picture.
Weird.
When I first started listening to Alt-J, I was intrigued by their strange, yet beautiful sound. I was careful to make sure no one was overhearing my music. That first experience with Alt-J was some of the finest music I have ever heard. When I listened to this album a second time, this love was renewed. In Cold Blood, Pleader, House of the Rising Sun, and suprisingly Hit Me Like a Snare, drew me back to the first time I listen to Alt-J. Hit Me Like a Snare excels in examplifying the weird present in the album. This song is obviously not normal. Whoever wrote it needs some serious help. I guess the best line would be "I don't subscribe to your cultural norm!" Which is something that can be seen in the entire album. You will either love this song, or you will hate it. The beginning needs more cowbell.
Inconsistent.
Each song in this album is its own living thing. Other than lyrics referencing previous lyrics in Last Year, they are not connected like we have seen in previous albums. At first I thought this was a negative, however as I listened to it a second time, and third time.... and now it's about the eleventh time. The individualism of each song keeps you interested as you keep listening to the album over and over again. I haven't skipped a song yet because "it's the same as the previous song" or "I'm tired of listening to this style." Pleader, best exemplifies the theme of inconsistency. Some people absolutely love this song, however I cannot get into it as much. The song itself seems like two different beats, or maybe stories being told. These stories compliment each other and make for a satisfying finisher to the album.
Relaxing.
I feel that the true beauty of this album does not rely one the voice and lyrics of the artists, however through their instrumental beats and rhythms. Acoustic guitar in Last Year creates a haunting melody that really amplifies the depressing story that is being told, only to be counteracted by the beautiful second part of the song, which is guaranteed to be included in some teenage love movie this summer. Choir and church themes resonate in Pleader as the listener the listener absorbs the complexities of this song.
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Overall this album is very good. It is not the same Alt-J that you are used to, however it is a refreshing experience for those of us trapped in a musical rut, looking for something to break the cycle.