Aokohio
by Why?
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. AllMusic
    Sep 18, 2019
    60
    The quick changes can be jarring, but by the middle of Aokohio, the staggered flow begins to normalize and the album becomes an environment of short attention spans and choppy reflections. Rather than the sometimes-crushing statements of earlier albums, the weight of Wolf's heavy lyrics is softened by how quickly one idea blurs into the next.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Aug 9, 2019
    60
    It means that AOKOHIO never quite feels as cohesive as Wolf apparently intended it to be, so it’s a good job that the album’s emotional themes do such a good job of providing a throughline and backbone instead.
  3. Q Magazine
    Aug 7, 2019
    60
    It mixes experimental sketches and DIY electronica with Animal Collective-like Peel Free's meditation on a life quixotic. At times Aokohio plays like a TV randomly switching channels. [Sep 2019, p.116]
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  5. Pitchfork
    Aug 7, 2019
    53
    WHY? has never been a subtle band, but they’ve also never been this overwrought.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. Methusalah
    Jun 25, 2020
    7
    While initially underwhelming, this album continues to grow on me. It reminds me less of a WHY album and more clouddead in its meanderingWhile initially underwhelming, this album continues to grow on me. It reminds me less of a WHY album and more clouddead in its meandering exploration of sound and production. Not at all a bad album and genuinely interesting to listen to if you're willing to give it the attention it requires.… Full Review »
  2. bbyshadow
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    The main complaint will be with the conceptual nature of the album. With mini tracks and a bunch of, well weird **** interspersed throughout.The main complaint will be with the conceptual nature of the album. With mini tracks and a bunch of, well weird **** interspersed throughout. But this may be both the most musically impressive and heartfelt work they have ever produced. Take your time and listen to the album straight through. You'll find it if you have 33 minutes of patience. If you can't do that, why do you care about music at all?… Full Review »
  3. Spassbremse
    Aug 19, 2019
    3
    i will never tell an artist what they "should" or "shouldn't" be doing. That's ridiculous and stifles creativity. I really appreciate Wolf'si will never tell an artist what they "should" or "shouldn't" be doing. That's ridiculous and stifles creativity. I really appreciate Wolf's willingness to push his own boundaries to explore new things, it's what makes Why? so appealing year after year after year. Listening to AOKOHIO several times through however...this album just never comes together for me. There are only a handful of actual songs, while the majority of the run-time is spent jumping from one incomplete lyrical/musical idea to another. I'm not sure what sort of cohesive whole Wolf was trying to make with this, but it just doesn't pull me in at all.… Full Review »
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