Distracted

Thundercat surfaces with another wholeheartedly relatable and sonically mesmerizing LP. The artist’s fifth studio LP, Distracted, is an organically stunning and stubbornly present new chapter to Thundercat’s autobiographical discography, one that is both a poetic snapshot of the artist’s perspective and another refreshing take on Thundercat’s singular sound.

He's still finding joy inside the pain, supplying the high notes with that ethereal contratenor and the low end with those sinuous basslines.

Equal parts joyous and depressing, Distracted is a painfully timely exploration of the psychological and social implications of our tech and media-saturated world. [Apr 26, p.58]

Thundercat has finally made the all-out pop album he's been hinting at. It fits like a glove. [May 2026, p.91]

Distracted may be his most coherent album to date. Less prone to abrupt zigzags than its predecessors, it's his smoothest, too. [May 2026, p.35]

Distracted works so well because it resembles a pop blowout at first, only to pull the shag rug out from under our feet.

Kurstin makes things smoother, shinier, and less weird than Fly Lo might — not necessarily a bad thing. Similarly, the caliber of Thundercat’s guest list feels upscaled.

This Thing We Call Love aims for groovy but ends up sounding like Kaytranada’s leftovers, while Great Americans is too kooky for its own good, but on the whole we have a vibrant, energetic album with generous helpings of soul, funk and technical skill.