Fragments
by Bonobo
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 18, 2022
    100
    With less dissonance and psychedelic experimentation than Jon Hopkins or Four Tet, Fragments may be too care-home comfort for some, but it’s brilliant, wondrous work.
  2. The Skinny
    Jan 10, 2022
    100
    A masterpiece in wistful, cathartic electronica, his seventh studio album Fragments.
  3. Exclaim
    Jan 13, 2022
    90
    He remains unchallenged when it comes to his ability to create organic sound that is at once full-bodied, warm, and filled with textures from around the world. Bonobo's growth, too, across the past two decades has seen a natural and consistent progression; each record building beautifully on the last. Fragments is no exception.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Jan 14, 2022
    80
    Fragments feels like the culmination of everything that Simon Green has been building up to over the last 20 plus years. A rich and cathartic release from a musician at the very top of his game.
  6. Clash Music
    Jan 11, 2022
    80
    A work of subtle evolution, it’s a record that rewards repeated listens, with patience allowing these fresh elements to rise to the surface on an album that underlines Bonobo’s role as one of UK electronic music’s most consistent, and pervasive voices.
  7. Mojo
    Jan 10, 2022
    80
    A richly downcast experience, his deft arrangements recalling the powerful, orchestrated cloudbursts of Curtis Mayfield's solo debut. [Feb 2022, p.82]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 10, 2022
    80
    This is the most engaging record Green has released since 2010’s ‘Black Sands’ – it is light, airy and remarkably well pieced together.
  9. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 21, 2022
    70
    It's a case of every sound in its right place, every idea developed in a way that is thoughtful and skillfully executed at best and pretty at worst, every track clearing that rather translucent bar that separates “that was boring” from “that was nice”.
  10. Under The Radar
    Jan 25, 2022
    70
    A reflection of its creator’s state of mind, Fragments is the perfect soundtrack to re-entry into normalcy after an extended stressful period.
  11. No Ripcord
    Jan 19, 2022
    70
    Green continues to take us on a steady ride on Fragments.
  12. AllMusic
    Jan 13, 2022
    70
    His productions are just the right balance of lush and gritty, blending rich string arrangements by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and lovely harp playing by Lara Somogyi with modular synth swells and soulful organs.
  13. Uncut
    Jan 10, 2022
    70
    Fragments could have been made any time in the last 25 [years], yet the down-tempo warmth, tasteful orchestrations and immaculate production are still a winning combination. [Feb 2022, p.26]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. sshpv
    Jan 14, 2022
    8
    Signature Bonobo sound, familiar from the first seconds you hear it.
    He’s playing safe and does what he known best for: masterful blending of    Signature Bonobo sound, familiar from the first seconds you hear it.
    He’s playing safe and does what he known best for: masterful blending of warm dancy electronic with some ethnic and vocal pieces. Jordan Rakei track is especially beautiful.
    Solid 8/10    … Full Review »
  2. After_peep08
    Mar 4, 2023
    9
    the feat with joji is the best song on the album, i also loved tides, it's a really good album
  3. aukalender
    Sep 28, 2022
    6
    Bonobo has streamlined his sound over the years, and made it more uptempo. He moved towards mainstream, safe EDM and electronic. However, IBonobo has streamlined his sound over the years, and made it more uptempo. He moved towards mainstream, safe EDM and electronic. However, I always thought his music was special for the use of different tempos throughout an album, as well as different, exotic, dare I say magical instruments. Ultimately, this album is a culmination of his progression towards less exotic, more mainstream, if still sensible, EDM bangers. Make no mistake, some songs here ARE the kind of bangers you want to here in a concert with too much alcohol in your system, but less special for it. The texture of albums like Animal Magic, Days to Come or Black Sands is, sadly, all but gone.… Full Review »
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