Black is Beautiful
by Hype Williams
  • Record Label: Hyperdub
  • Release Date: Apr 17, 2012
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Q Magazine
    Jun 20, 2012
    60
    Strange, but strangely compelling, too. [Jun 2012, p.97]
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  2. Mojo
    Apr 25, 2012
    60
    A skittering show-reel of outer-space advert indents that flit from dying hard-drive porn disco to sweetly-warped On-U dub lullabies. [May 2012, p.89]
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 17, 2012
    60
    There are some brilliant tailpieces on Black is Beautiful and some wonderful impressions of a travel sick Alan Clavier, but they're hampered by too many dead ends and retreaded ground.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 17, 2012
    60
    These drifts of pop cultural flotsam feel eerily dislocated, as if there was little joy in the psychic bloodletting. Strangely compelling, though.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. analogbrat
    Jul 7, 2013
    10
    The past few years have seen no shortage of inherently weird, out-of-reach music in the electronic sphere, and the group formerly known asThe past few years have seen no shortage of inherently weird, out-of-reach music in the electronic sphere, and the group formerly known as Hype Williams make their LP debut on Hyperdub with a doozy of a labyrinth. The sounds of detuned radios in adjacent rooms, woozy female vocals, rough edits, rudely interrupting radio transmissions, whispered nothings and endless Krautrock loops. It keeps you at a distance but lets you fully admire the view.… Full Review »
  2. shinycrapyboy
    Jun 11, 2012
    8
    the album is a weird collection of great lo-fi tracks. Maybe more interesting than their predecesor hyped "One nation" or other artists of thethe album is a weird collection of great lo-fi tracks. Maybe more interesting than their predecesor hyped "One nation" or other artists of the hypnagogic pop scene who have been praised like gods on very influencial music web sites. It begins with a cacophonic free jazz introduction. Then the too short untitled tracks. Sometimes it sounds funky, sometimes like very short & cheap interludes of ambient with a soft world music/new age influence. There is a lot of dub & dark vibes. It is a good LP because unique, although the dirty production can be an obstacle, it is not accidental but rather something deliberate . No one is able to create something so experimental without being boring for someone who is not familiar with this gender. A sort of futuristic music for elevators!!! Not the best of 2012 but a must for those who like to discover paralell universes… Full Review »
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