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. 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.
  2. pandaman51115
    Apr 17, 2020
    2
    For cult fans I could maybe understand it but this is just not very good in the slightest.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. andrewventi
    Jul 24, 2020
    2
    Not my vibe. Too alternative for my personal liking. Couldn't really take a good listen to it.
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. elras
    Apr 26, 2020
    1
    Tremendamente sobrevalorado, original si, pero inaudible y pretencioso. No entiendo las críticas aquí recibidas.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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
  15. Putsman
    Apr 18, 2020
    1
    Meh. Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to listen to again after one go.
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. Irvin432crit
    Jul 24, 2020
    1
    I find some very similar sounds this seems very repetitive no innovation in fiona
  22. Bazza
    May 4, 2020
    0
    This woman is stealing a living. The music is so incredibly bland, she is trying way too hard to be different and there is literally nothing that can possibly draw anyone to her music. It doesn't evoke emotion, it doesn't give you goosebumps... it's entirely mediocre and the album so far receiving 100/100 is proof that equally poor journalists and reviewers that cater to the mass and chartThis woman is stealing a living. The music is so incredibly bland, she is trying way too hard to be different and there is literally nothing that can possibly draw anyone to her music. It doesn't evoke emotion, it doesn't give you goosebumps... it's entirely mediocre and the album so far receiving 100/100 is proof that equally poor journalists and reviewers that cater to the mass and chart lovers can sell trite like this. Now all the users suddenly believe it's an amazing album because magazines and websites say so. Ugh.… Expand
  23. LeandroR
    Jun 29, 2020
    0
    PLEASE. THIS album is something bored. The World don't needs It!!!! PLEASE!
  24. JesseBarre
    Apr 18, 2020
    0
    Truly a quagmire of horrible tracks ranging from plain old nails on a chalkboard to feminist anthems that act as if women who willingly utilize their sexuality to get ahead & become plutocrats in Beverly Hills who have the ability to destroy any man they wants lives with a single tweet; are some oppressed minority. The production on the album is very chaotic and musically awful, which isTruly a quagmire of horrible tracks ranging from plain old nails on a chalkboard to feminist anthems that act as if women who willingly utilize their sexuality to get ahead & become plutocrats in Beverly Hills who have the ability to destroy any man they wants lives with a single tweet; are some oppressed minority. The production on the album is very chaotic and musically awful, which is perhaps part of the appeal for smug post-modernist hipster critics who believe spitting in the face of anything conventional inherently makes it good. The album has many cringe-worthy lyrical moments, and is downright the most blatantly pseudo-intellectual & critic bait album ever made. Worst album of all time.… Expand
  25. ARTCR1T1C
    Jul 8, 2020
    0
    Garbage. Despite its length, the songs sound unfinished and all of them are repetitive, the lyrics doesn't really have a deep meaning for it to be considered "best album of the year". I don't know why the critics think that just for being a crafty album means that is pure art and deserves the best reviews; it isn't all that, it doesn't bring anything new to the table, it's plain boring,Garbage. Despite its length, the songs sound unfinished and all of them are repetitive, the lyrics doesn't really have a deep meaning for it to be considered "best album of the year". I don't know why the critics think that just for being a crafty album means that is pure art and deserves the best reviews; it isn't all that, it doesn't bring anything new to the table, it's plain boring, and, honestly, it's exhausting to listen to it, especially with all the expectations that a "98" album brings. Basic, pretentious, and completely overrated, and the fact that it's shoved down our throats makes it even worse than it already is.… Expand
  26. Max_Vito
    Nov 1, 2020
    0
    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
  27. GendelRoses
    Jul 24, 2020
    0
    I DONT LIKE THIS, HER VOICE IS SO DISG*STING AND THE ALBUM IS SO BORING WTF IS THIS
  28. GouldiggersNati
    Apr 28, 2020
    0
    Tremendo flop sobrevalorado por sus 3 fans, ya ni melosentada tuvo tanta sobrevaloración
  29. BarWils
    Dec 8, 2020
    0
    Fiona decides to speak and, of course,it’s a big,drawn out to do . It’s a damn fine album. Led Zeppelin iv ? No,not even close. But she does release some really decent tunes here.
  30. Lazlo1
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Si te gusta Fiona Apple, este álbum te va a gustar. Pero si no eres fan de esta artista, posiblemente te termine cansando y hasta pareciendo aburrido. No puedo entender cómo tiene tantas críticas positivas, pero sin duda sí que puedo entender por qué las pocas ventas que ha logrado cosechar tanto en Estados Unidos como en el resto del mundo. Decepcionante.
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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 »