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As Light Return Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The ninth full-length release for the British psychedelic/space rock bandled by Stephen Lawrie features guest appearances from the Scottish band St Deluxe.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Jul 5, 2017
    80
    It's not an easy listen and it's hardly surprising that Lawrie has admitted his intention was "always to create a listening experience reaching beyond the realm of natural vision" but as Something In My Brain grabs you by the neck and thrusts you into the void, it's hard not to give into its dark and welcoming charms.
  2. Aug 15, 2017
    80
    As Light Return pushes The Telescopes’ sound to newer, often much darker places. It’s a bracing and occasionally totally disarming listen, but utterly compelling throughout.
  3. Jul 5, 2017
    70
    red. As Light Return might not be the most inventive or exciting record the Telescopes have made over their long career of defying expectations, but it is the purest expression of their dark and twisted, noise-battered souls, and for that reason alone it is worth hearing at least once.
  4. Magnet
    Aug 15, 2017
    70
    They sound much heavier and quite unburdened by commercial notions. [No. 145, p.61]
  5. Uncut
    Jul 5, 2017
    60
    Throughout, Lawrie's voice is buried so deep in the mix as to be virtually inaudible, like a Mary Chain 7" slowed down to 33rpm. [Aug 2017, p.38]
  6. Jul 5, 2017
    50
    With only five tracks and little in the way of audible lyrics or melody, understandably As Light Return tends to blend into one rather murky whole. That said, after repeated listens, individual song strengths do gradually emerge.
  7. Jul 11, 2017
    50
    As Light Return is an unlovable oddity worth hearing.