Aureate Gloom
by Of Montreal
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Mar 5, 2015
    89
    The result is an audacious delight, delivering aural odysseys that slither in and out of the territory of heavy-lidded dance-club bangers, junkie-punk ragers, symphonic Baroque-pop gems, plaintive guitar-rockers and myriad lessons from the Marc Bolan school of glam-rock depravity.
  2. AllMusic
    Mar 2, 2015
    80
    The combination of the raw, tempestuous styles, Barnes' own capricious musical tendencies, and the regrettable subject matter of Aureate Gloom has Of Montreal at its rockiest and most intense.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Feb 27, 2015
    80
    Every song seems to journey through a multitude of genres and eras while remaining coherent.
  5. Exclaim
    Feb 27, 2015
    80
    Aureate Gloom is the point where grief becomes a search for light in creation, adventure and musical experimentation, making even Barnes' more experimental sonic forays sound urgent.
  6. Under The Radar
    Feb 27, 2015
    75
    Perhaps the key to deep listening with of Montreal is to take each detour, each genre shift and noodly instrumental segment, by its own terms. As a series of these moments, Aureate Gloom is a complex and worthy addition to of Montreal's impactful discography.
  7. The 405
    Mar 4, 2015
    70
    Barnes has had a habit of throwing dozens of these complex noises and genres my way within the context of a single song. The newest, Aureate Gloom, has collected these idiosyncrasies in the best way since Fauna's atom bomb performances.
  8. Pitchfork
    Mar 4, 2015
    70
    Ultimately the music becomes another mask, another thing Barnes is trying to untangle, in a great chapter in the lengthy, wonderfully ornate Of Montreal compendium.
  9. PopMatters
    Mar 4, 2015
    70
    The album is a difficult listen because it is immeasurably honest, because it exposes a group who, after 13 releases in almost 20 years, sounds less seasoned than flat-out exhausted.
  10. Uncut
    Feb 25, 2015
    70
    Bursting with good ideas, albeit often self-defeating in its kaleidoscopic complexity, much of Aureate Gloom sounds like the great psychedelic retro-glam rock opera that Graham Coxon might one day compose. [Apr 2015, p.81]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    Mar 3, 2015
    67
    Loud, fickle, and impolite, Aureate Gloom is yet another entry into the evolution of one man’s soul made manifest through music.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. CiphirSol
    Mar 3, 2015
    9
    Don't be dissuaded by the mainstream reviews and the pseudo-hipster trash that is music journalism, this is another beautiful and challengingDon't be dissuaded by the mainstream reviews and the pseudo-hipster trash that is music journalism, this is another beautiful and challenging piece from the mind of a master of true performance art. Do yourself a favor and try to see Kevin Barnes & of Montreal live in an intimate setting.… Full Review »
  2. Mab_987
    Mar 7, 2015
    7
    Aureate Gloom stands out in just how versatile it is, going back & forth between styles multiple times in multiple songs here; even more thanAureate Gloom stands out in just how versatile it is, going back & forth between styles multiple times in multiple songs here; even more than on something like Hissing Fauna. Unfortunately, while that does lead to some great exciting tracks, it can make others feel a bit too disjointed. Still it's generally good, and Kevin's lyricism is as sharp as ever.

    (If you wanna see my longer, more in-depth review, look up "Spin It Reviews" on YouTube.)    … Full Review »
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