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. bushbjork
    Aug 8, 2020
    10
    I knew some Fiona's songs, i have never heard an album from her before, and this one fed me it was exquisite.
  2. Dave74
    Aug 7, 2020
    10
    Great music has layers. New meaning is discovered on different listens. New details that you notice compel you to re-listen time and again. Vocals and story telling emotionally invest you. Excellent compositions have your toes and finger tips dancing on reflex. This Album delivers on all fronts.

    Fetch the Bolt Cutters will pull you in with more accessible numbers like Cosmonauts and have    Great music has layers. New meaning is discovered on different listens. New details that you notice compel you to re-listen time and again. Vocals and story telling emotionally invest you. Excellent compositions have your toes and finger tips dancing on reflex. This Album delivers on all fronts.

    Fetch the Bolt Cutters will pull you in with more accessible numbers like Cosmonauts and have you come back for more for tracks like Heavy Balloon. The vocals are raw - emotive and strong. But unpolished and real. Musically it is intriguing, building on sounds from her last record. Composition wise Fiona Apple has delivered a fine wine. These tracks improve with age as they pull you into their intricacies. If you like your music polished and simple, it’s not the album for you. If you like your music to compel you, engross you and emotionally impact this is the album for you.    … Expand
  3. Carl234
    Aug 7, 2020
    10
    Loved every second of it. From writing, production, vocals, and dogs barking. Fiona did an amazing job
  4. adamrihani
    Aug 7, 2020
    0
    It does not deserve all these good reviews, the album is a major flop from this artist.
  5. Asumberger
    Aug 7, 2020
    1
    It baffles me that this album currently has a near perfect score on metacritic. A couple of my friends were raving about it and urged me to listen to it so I gave it a chance. I was excited to hear it because of its near universal acclaim...but I honestly thought it sounded like hot garbage. It was a chore to get through and I found myself being relieved when each song was finally over.It baffles me that this album currently has a near perfect score on metacritic. A couple of my friends were raving about it and urged me to listen to it so I gave it a chance. I was excited to hear it because of its near universal acclaim...but I honestly thought it sounded like hot garbage. It was a chore to get through and I found myself being relieved when each song was finally over. I'm pretty open-minded about music but I just couldn't find much to appreciate here. I get this odd feeling about it... It's like what am I missing? I listen to good music, right? Right?! Why does everyone love this album so much and why do I loathe it so much? I am happy that people like it, but if/when someone tells me how great this album is I am going to forever be suspicious of that person. The lyrics and themes might be good. Challenging. Important... But the music itself didn't do it for me. I don't care for her voice, either. To me this album is way over-hyped but hey what do I know? People really seem to dig this album. I'm just not one of those people.… Expand
  6. Cmc83
    Aug 5, 2020
    10
    Perfect. Lyrical genius as ever with an Apple record. Considering some of the heavy subject matter, it’s light hearted and often amusing. The rhythmic almost rap-like way she delivers some of the lines is a joy and the melodies and piano parts are stunningly beautiful. A real gem.
  7. drderu
    Aug 3, 2020
    9
    Fiona Apple just proved that we should never count her out when “Greatest Modern Contemporary Songwriters” is brought to the table for discussion. Not only that she flexed her pen game the mightiest on her 5th studio album but we also find her at her most creative peak. Fetch The Bolt Cutters is an album of rage, self deprecation, acceptance and healing following the emotionally torturedFiona Apple just proved that we should never count her out when “Greatest Modern Contemporary Songwriters” is brought to the table for discussion. Not only that she flexed her pen game the mightiest on her 5th studio album but we also find her at her most creative peak. Fetch The Bolt Cutters is an album of rage, self deprecation, acceptance and healing following the emotionally tortured The Idler Wheel.. back in 2012. In this offering, Apple went all unconventional and experimental with her sound risking the usual song structure to an almost drumline-themed, always unpredictable and often disjointed sound. With lyrics that our outright self humorous, satirical, emotionally visceral and potent for a casual listener; “Bolt” might be a long, challenging and exhausting listen but the fruits that are to be reaped in the end are just as rewarding when we consider the masterful musicianship displayed by the singer-songwriter here. Fiona Apple has never sounded this self-assured and confident.

    Highlights: Newspaper, Under The Table, Relay, Heavy Balloon    … Expand
  8. VersonMandel
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    10 out of 10!!! tracks feel like deep conversations...full of passion...awesome album!!!
  9. musicalmarvell
    Jul 31, 2020
    9
    It wasn't until I was in the car with my earphones on listening to Fiona Apple's fifth LP "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" that EVERYTHING started to make sense.

    As a person who enjoyed Apple's newest album but is not a fan, I can understand both sides of the reviews. I don't exactly get why the critics are raving about this album and calling it the "album of the year", but I surely grooved to    It wasn't until I was in the car with my earphones on listening to Fiona Apple's fifth LP "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" that EVERYTHING started to make sense.

    As a person who enjoyed Apple's newest album but is not a fan, I can understand both sides of the reviews. I don't exactly get why the critics are raving about this album and calling it the "album of the year", but I surely grooved to almost every song. Yes, the production does not seem like the best. And the vocals are 'very interesting'. But really, there's a message hidden buried under it all: To "set yourself free." To "fetch the bolt cutters" because "I've been in here too long."

    What I believe Fiona Apple is trying to achieve with this new LP is to spread the message that you just gotta do you. You don't need to be the "perfect pop star" and create pop hits that sound identical or use autotune. Her dog barks throughout the album for goodness sake. And I think that's brilliant. But it's so brilliant that you don't even see it at first glance, or you just don't see it at all.

    Surely, I wouldn't call "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" the "Best Album of 2020". But I will say that it's one of the smartest and honest.    … Expand
  10. VenusAsABoy11
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fiona apple knows how to make music and has not shown it again in her most recent album fetch the bolt cutters which takes us to an incredible experience within the apple world giving us a raw and deep lyric maybe this is her best album so far.… Expand
  11. oldcardigan
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    uma obra de arte que vai ganhar muitos grammys. a fiona foi MUITO perspicaz aqui
  12. GatinConPeter
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    Perfeito incrível espetacular aclamadissimo memorável esse álbum é simplesmente incrível merece muito o AOTY esse ano isso se o Grammy não criar uma categoria especial pra esse ano especial
  13. dalilita
    Jul 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best album of 2020, a sound revolution with the most wonderful lyrics. Fiona Apple once again proves herself to be an artist for the ages… Expand
  14. Ricko
    Jul 25, 2020
    9
    This is a tour de force. From the indescribable magical opener "I Want You To Love Me" all the way through to "On I Go" the bones of an hour later, the whole album is captivating and sounds unlike anything else for something made so organically. I was always an admirer of Fiona Apple but this has made me a fan. Lyrically, it operates at a stratospheric level, mixing weighty social issuesThis is a tour de force. From the indescribable magical opener "I Want You To Love Me" all the way through to "On I Go" the bones of an hour later, the whole album is captivating and sounds unlike anything else for something made so organically. I was always an admirer of Fiona Apple but this has made me a fan. Lyrically, it operates at a stratospheric level, mixing weighty social issues with dry humour giving the topics that bit more poignancy and at the same time relatable. Musically, there is so much going on it just needs to be heard. Organically rhythmic goes some way to describing it but then Apple throws pop magic on top of it all to turn what could be a mess into a masterpiece. Believe the hype.… Expand
  15. zhong
    Jul 25, 2020
    8
    I listened to the album on Apple Music. It's soft and swift omg i forgot what I felt when I heard the songs the first time
  16. inconexo
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Excelente album, con mucha razón es el mejor disco en criticas, y también por eso muchos comentarios negativos aquí de gentuza envidiosa y sin buen gusto. Sin duda uno de los mejores albums de todos los tiempos.
  17. Eupedrokas
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Only perfect......................... .........................................................… Expand
  18. Brayanol
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    Album of The year! Fiona DID that! Newspapper, Shameika, Relay and Heavy Balloon
  19. Irvin432crit
    Jul 24, 2020
    1
    I find some very similar sounds this seems very repetitive no innovation in fiona
  20. Vancyon
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    the power that that has, the intelligence that that has, the clearance that that has, the access that that has, the influence that that has, the profile that that has, the international implications that that has
  21. samytest
    Jul 24, 2020
    0
    No me gusto el álbum. Simplemente siento que Fiona tiene mejores propuestas. Se quedo corta de creatividad.
  22. andrewventi
    Jul 24, 2020
    2
    Not my vibe. Too alternative for my personal liking. Couldn't really take a good listen to it.
  23. GendelRoses
    Jul 24, 2020
    0
    I DONT LIKE THIS, HER VOICE IS SO DISG*STING AND THE ALBUM IS SO BORING WTF IS THIS
  24. Keomabr
    Jul 24, 2020
    10
    just amazing. right for this time we are going through. strong and sensitive.
  25. EstehAmilar
    Jul 24, 2020
    1
    I decided to give it a try after seeing all the praise being given to this album and I have to say, it's so boring. I love Fiona, Criminal is one of my jems but it's not nearly as good as I expected.
  26. TakeMeAway
    Jul 23, 2020
    3
    I've tried to like it but i just couldn't, it doesn't make me feel anything
  27. Heavy-Balloon
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Extraordinary Machine helped “Free Fiona.” Idler Wheel got closer. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, she unapologetically frees herself! And there is nothing more inspiring and soul reaching than authenticity! She nails this not only on a personal level, but on a professional level, raising every damn bar possible! Tidal changed my life, as did Fiona Apple and each of her subsequent albumsExtraordinary Machine helped “Free Fiona.” Idler Wheel got closer. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, she unapologetically frees herself! And there is nothing more inspiring and soul reaching than authenticity! She nails this not only on a personal level, but on a professional level, raising every damn bar possible! Tidal changed my life, as did Fiona Apple and each of her subsequent albums throughout numerous seasons of my life. Through her strength, advocacy, struggles, growth, courage and, of course, music, she saved me...as a woman and human. More than once. Fiona Apple reaches the depth of her soul with every lyric, song and album. I hope she knows she reaches the depths of her fans’ souls equally so. I hope feels the inexplicable energy she puts out into this universe. 10. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, 10. Fiona Apple’s musical, lyrical and personal freedom pouring from this album, 10. Crushing musical boundaries and social norms, 10. For women and humans, 10. Dropping out of the Relay, 10. Fiona Apple, 10.… Expand
  28. Tigermonko
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    It's not an easy listen and doesn't fit fit the current sounds. What you get is a visceral, exciting album that is completely free in the choices it makes. Stunning.
  29. LISANDRO3105
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    Ha sido un larga espera desde su último álbum, pero definitivamente valió la pena.
    Fiona ha madurado en su producción, su composición, sus letras y, por sobre todo, en el uso (y abuso) de su increíble voz.
    Entiendo que algunos puedan valorar este disco con una puntuación de 6 o 7 puntos, para mí definitivamente es un 10. Lo que realmente es inentendible es quien puntúa con 0, 1 o 2.    Ha sido un larga espera desde su último álbum, pero definitivamente valió la pena.
    Fiona ha madurado en su producción, su composición, sus letras y, por sobre todo, en el uso (y abuso) de su increíble voz.
    Entiendo que algunos puedan valorar este disco con una puntuación de 6 o 7 puntos, para mí definitivamente es un 10. Lo que realmente es inentendible es quien puntúa con 0, 1 o 2. Realmente merece dejar de lado esas puntuaciones para obtener el promedio sin distorsiones.    … Expand
  30. Cnsydm
    Jul 11, 2020
    8
    Wow just... wow. I agree that it isn't the BEST album of the year but it's still a fine piece of pop-rock filled with moving ballads. Fiona' voice is as strong as ever as well. Higlights: newspaper, the title track, shameika
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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 »