Fetch the Bolt Cutters
by Fiona Apple
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Apr 17, 2020
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1396 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,131 out of 1396
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 1396
  3. Negative: 207 out of 1396
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  1. BBlake
    Apr 17, 2020
    3
    Meh. It's good if you're already a fan of Fiona Apple. Unlikely to convince you if you're not.
  2. cterryr2
    Apr 28, 2020
    3
    Fiona is dripping with talent no doubt. No doubt. I personally do not like this music. Feels closer to hip hop than alt rock. Mostly fast spoken words and not singing. Lots of percussions but they sound like fake, computer instruments. Nothing I could find sweeps me away. No amazing piano or guitar solo. No sweeping vocals. Not my kind of music at all. Is it good? If you like hip hop youFiona is dripping with talent no doubt. No doubt. I personally do not like this music. Feels closer to hip hop than alt rock. Mostly fast spoken words and not singing. Lots of percussions but they sound like fake, computer instruments. Nothing I could find sweeps me away. No amazing piano or guitar solo. No sweeping vocals. Not my kind of music at all. Is it good? If you like hip hop you may like it. If you are huge fan of Pro Tools you may like it. I don't. Not my thing. Maybe she just had too much coffee?… Expand
  3. sab123
    Apr 21, 2020
    3
    Obviously it's just my opinion, but really, music shouldn't be this much hard work to listen to. Some melody here or there and a few less discordant notes wouldn't go astray.
  4. pastorman
    May 2, 2020
    3
    I have enjoyed the early releases by Fiona Apple but this release did nothing for me. No emotional connection, no earworms, no groove to nod my head to. I just didn't grab my ears.
  5. KauaDallaCorte
    Apr 17, 2020
    3
    I don't hear the full album but,I dislike,it's boring...her voice is good..
  6. amskyi
    Apr 17, 2020
    3
    I don't know why it gets so many good reviews, It seems kinda unenjoyable and overrated
  7. FatLadRoss
    Apr 21, 2020
    3
    This album sounds like it was made by a 10 year old having a tantrum after being told they can't get Animal Crossing on the Switch!

    No seriously, I now know that I am uncool, not down with it and have no idea what constitutes a good album anymore. Which is fine with me as long as I don't have to listen to this again! This album has rave reviews but I have no idea how, it's drivel.    This album sounds like it was made by a 10 year old having a tantrum after being told they can't get Animal Crossing on the Switch!

    No seriously, I now know that I am uncool, not down with it and have no idea what constitutes a good album anymore. Which is fine with me as long as I don't have to listen to this again!

    This album has rave reviews but I have no idea how, it's drivel. It's a mash of noises and poor singing, shouting and screeching. If you like that sort of thing which people obviously do then power to you, however I like my music more enjoyable.

    My pretentious score for this album is 165 out of 10!    … Expand
  8. N1A
    May 3, 2020
    3
    Lyrics! Lyrics are good, for sure. But it all sounds messy and faded. I'm obsessed with non-Pop music (Florence+Machine, the 1975, FKA Twigs and other), but this stuff left me unsatisfied and disappointed. The best music album ever by Metacritic score, but it's not looked and sound like that. Want through album once I realized that this is kind of experience I will never want to have again.
  9. DayStormDanny
    Jul 4, 2020
    3
    Fiona Apple at her most subdued. I love the way she honed her craft on that album. With this lush, smooth, highly melodic, warm and jazz-tinged collection of songs, she channels her inner Joni Mitchell as this album is deeply rooted in the '70s Laurel Canyon folk tradition. Ladies is obviously an homage to Ladies of the Canyon. This album will not only appeal to her fans. Fans of Joni,Fiona Apple at her most subdued. I love the way she honed her craft on that album. With this lush, smooth, highly melodic, warm and jazz-tinged collection of songs, she channels her inner Joni Mitchell as this album is deeply rooted in the '70s Laurel Canyon folk tradition. Ladies is obviously an homage to Ladies of the Canyon. This album will not only appeal to her fans. Fans of Joni, Carole King, Laura Nyro, Juddee Still and other great singer-songwriters will find plenty to enjoy here. Probably not the best album of the year but a worthy comeback nonetheless. (Updated my review - I quickly grew tired of this album, despite all of the risk-taking)… Expand
  10. brennans
    Aug 28, 2020
    3
    I love Fiona Apple's music aside from this album, and I know that what she is putting out here is a stab at "art," a new kind of "music." There's no question there's a load of creativity here. But it's a fail in my book as an album, so pretentious and self-indulgent. What appears to be on the surface an album for our times, especially in the way it explores gender roles and powerI love Fiona Apple's music aside from this album, and I know that what she is putting out here is a stab at "art," a new kind of "music." There's no question there's a load of creativity here. But it's a fail in my book as an album, so pretentious and self-indulgent. What appears to be on the surface an album for our times, especially in the way it explores gender roles and power dynamics, is actually an act of extreme narcissism. (Well, maybe it is an album for our times after all. . . ) This album isn't about an artist facilitating a connection to the human condition. It's an album that says look at me, pay attention to me. I don't like this general trend. That said, I could see why it might win album of the year. But it will be an album of the year nobody will ever listen to five, ten years from now. Ultimately, the album is a challenging bore.… Expand
  11. Lucrecia
    May 30, 2020
    3
    Me pareció muy básico la verdad, tenia muchas más expectativas, no fue como esperaba me decepsiono bastante
  12. TakeMeAway
    Jul 23, 2020
    3
    I've tried to like it but i just couldn't, it doesn't make me feel anything
  13. Neshelie
    Aug 20, 2023
    3
    It's a good album, but it's not for me. Although I didn't get bored while listening to the album in general, I wished the album to end as soon as possible. If I listen to it again in the future, maybe it will be for me with that mindset.
  14. pandaman51115
    Apr 17, 2020
    2
    For cult fans I could maybe understand it but this is just not very good in the slightest.
  15. espronn
    Apr 19, 2020
    2
    The sound and production is cool and Fiona’s voice is good, but the «songs» lack punch and direction. Jesus; the critics fight to be the first to hail anything that is a bit different, we know that, but this hype is ridicilous. Hipster-music for people who don’t really like music.
  16. AdonisOG
    Apr 23, 2020
    2
    there are some interesting songs but overall its a pretentious and indulgent noise collage for militant cultists.
    i would give it a higher rating if all these sycophants werent dropping casual 10s
  17. tasby
    May 29, 2020
    2
    I didn’t listen to this album but I can tell it’s very bad. Idk how this high school drama teacher got a record deal
  18. andrewventi
    Jul 24, 2020
    2
    Not my vibe. Too alternative for my personal liking. Couldn't really take a good listen to it.
  19. JvanMariah
    Dec 5, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's like a Yoko Ono album, I don't understand the happiness it causes, I'm probably wrong but I definitely don't think it's the album of the year.… Expand
  20. Diabolical_
    Jan 24, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not for me. This album felt like I was being constantly held underwater. It’s one claustrophobic **** after another. The only good thing about it is that it ends.… Expand
  21. Stefans43
    Nov 2, 2022
    2
    2/10 - Great art, terrible music

    Art and music is something critics do not seem to be able to differntiate. Of course, it is an important album, of course, it is authentic and daring and a fantastic expression of her emotions, but it's bad music. And it's important to differentiate between music you don't like and music that is not good - Fetch The Bolt Cutters is not good. The funniest    2/10 - Great art, terrible music

    Art and music is something critics do not seem to be able to differntiate. Of course, it is an important album, of course, it is authentic and daring and a fantastic expression of her emotions, but it's bad music. And it's important to differentiate between music you don't like and music that is not good - Fetch The Bolt Cutters is not good.

    The funniest thing about all this is that Pitchfork gave Fetchi the Bolt Cutters a 10/10 and Travistan a 0/10 and they sound exactly the same, especially if you remove the artist from the art. Travis is rapping/talking over weird arhytmic sounds and so is Fiona, but Fiona's rumbling is more menaingful and authentic. Both albums are terrible music, but Fiona's is better art.

    This begs to ask the question: Are the critics reviewing music for the public or for art students with bowl cuts who need to do dislike whatever is mainstream?    … Expand
  22. elras
    Apr 26, 2020
    1
    Tremendamente sobrevalorado, original si, pero inaudible y pretencioso. No entiendo las críticas aquí recibidas.
  23. ravenvenom
    Apr 18, 2020
    1
    Original, that’s for sure. There’s nothing else out there that sounds like that... but there is a reason for it.
    Where are the hooks and memorable, addictive lyrics? Don’t mistake originality for genius.
  24. rayjay
    Aug 26, 2020
    1
    Cannot get into this album. Her music is too cold and intellectual and quirky for my taste. If the music does not move me emotionally in some way, then forget it.
  25. a_sebastian
    May 20, 2020
    1
    well it's always refreshing seeing or hearing someone acting and talking like a kid, when the person's actually around 40yo. isn't it? duh.
    unfortunately the ineptitude of behaving won't take the wrinkles away.
    sorry.
  26. DarcenBrandt
    May 1, 2020
    1
    How on this earth does this rate a 10? Absolutely horrible album. Sounds like someone strangling a goat. Theres got to be at least one song to grab you and keep you interested till you catch up with the rest. Anyone who rates this higher than a 3 is a hipster! The uglier something is the more they like it. Well at least till lots of people start liking it and than its not to the nextHow on this earth does this rate a 10? Absolutely horrible album. Sounds like someone strangling a goat. Theres got to be at least one song to grab you and keep you interested till you catch up with the rest. Anyone who rates this higher than a 3 is a hipster! The uglier something is the more they like it. Well at least till lots of people start liking it and than its not to the next terrible album. You lot need to get your ears and head checked. Even the cover and title are horrible. I'm giving it a 1 because I can understand some of the words at least.… Expand
  27. Putsman
    Apr 18, 2020
    1
    Meh. Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to listen to again after one go.
  28. la_pared_rosa
    Apr 23, 2020
    1
    This album Is like that glass of water in the middle of a modern art museum. Some pretentious critics praise it and everybody Is following the hype...But still just a glass of water. I bet 1 dollar no one who give It a 10 will listen this mess in a week. Pretentious and boring i give It 1 just for The effort.
  29. Hamzael
    May 30, 2020
    1
    Its not good on any way shape or forme . No artistic vision . Not good production not good vocals lazy lyrics . A five year old could do better
  30. Real_g22
    Jun 1, 2020
    1
    Honestamente no me hicieron sentido los ritmos de este álbum. Entendí el concepto del título más no lo ví representado en ninguna parte del álbum. Vocales muy aburridos y monotonos de una buena cantante. Yo como hablante hispano no disfrute nada este álbum y creo que cualquier persona que lo escuché simplemente lo sentirá aburrido y con falta de ese factor que nos hace querer escuchar unHonestamente no me hicieron sentido los ritmos de este álbum. Entendí el concepto del título más no lo ví representado en ninguna parte del álbum. Vocales muy aburridos y monotonos de una buena cantante. Yo como hablante hispano no disfrute nada este álbum y creo que cualquier persona que lo escuché simplemente lo sentirá aburrido y con falta de ese factor que nos hace querer escuchar un álbum una y otra vez. Todas las canciones son los mismos sonidos. Quizás las líricas son muy buenas pero no algo excepcional, No entiendo la alta puntuación de este álbum honestamente.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Album of 2020
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Under The Radar
    Aug 18, 2020
    85
    Guttural, soft, cacophonous, and poetic, Fetch the Bolt Cutters is a reminder of Apple’s genius and that we are all interconnected, one people, existing in a pulse.
    Read full review
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 6, 2020
    80
    Forget the bolt cutters, Apple's already shed her last shackle. [Summer 2020, p.87]
  3. Uncut
    May 22, 2020
    90
    Fetch The Bolt Cutters is mostly the soundtrack of liberation, not recrimination, with Apple's piano keys, battering on the walls and barking dogs as its percussive, beating heart. [Jul 2020, p.27]
See all critic reviews »