For the First Time
by Black Country, New Road
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 77
  3. Negative: 2 out of 77
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  1. Ricko
    Sep 4, 2021
    6
    I've given this a good few listens and I'm still left wondering what the hype is about. It is interesting for sure but for me the album doesn't know what it wants to be and as a result there is a definite feel of trying too hard to be off centre. The vocals do nothing for me, instrumentally it's strong but there is a lack of melody or consistent aestethic. I also felt the better ideas justI've given this a good few listens and I'm still left wondering what the hype is about. It is interesting for sure but for me the album doesn't know what it wants to be and as a result there is a definite feel of trying too hard to be off centre. The vocals do nothing for me, instrumentally it's strong but there is a lack of melody or consistent aestethic. I also felt the better ideas just went on way too long. Personally, I'll be parking this one.… Expand
  2. ReubenIsAGod
    Feb 5, 2021
    5
    The concept behind Black Country, new roads... millianial slint worship....is kinda great! They sound fantatsic, kinetic and have some really ironic and kinda dumb lyrical content that makes the whole experience fun and exciting...however...before this record actually came out Athens France and Sunglasses where already avliable online for listening..they nerfed sooo much of the energy andThe concept behind Black Country, new roads... millianial slint worship....is kinda great! They sound fantatsic, kinetic and have some really ironic and kinda dumb lyrical content that makes the whole experience fun and exciting...however...before this record actually came out Athens France and Sunglasses where already avliable online for listening..they nerfed sooo much of the energy and speratic structure that those songs originally had. Even the lyrics, whilst yes they where bitter , that bitterness aadd so much more raw feeling and confusing emotional core to the songs. It's really disappointing that this has happened. Especially because of how little their is on the album. The new tracks here are great. opus, science fair and also track x are wonderful. The intro is also kinda full. Hmmm, super mixed on this. Expected more tbh.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best Album of 2021
76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. No Ripcord
    Mar 12, 2021
    80
    For the first time is usually nonsensical, frequently transcendent, and compulsively listenable. Everything that sprung to mind is on the wax here, but BC, NR don’t forget to make it catchy and groovy. In nailing that balance, they’ve given us the year’s first capital-G Great record.
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  2. Pitchfork
    Feb 9, 2021
    74
    Their portentous crescendos and surges of Jewish klezmer music set the pace, making post-rock sound improbably carnivalesque. That none of their experiments feel gimmicky speaks to a diverse and inquisitive musicianship.
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  3. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 8, 2021
    100
    If the interplay between the band’s instruments makes gleeful mincemeat of genre, singing guitarist Isaac Wood’s equally remarkable lyrics regularly float to the top of the mix. Half-spoken, half-sung, they riff on granular scene references (“I told you I loved you in front of Black Midi”) and Gen-Z witticisms, but pack in plenty of timeless tenderness and anomie.
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