Goon
by Tobias Jesso Jr.
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. PopMatters
    Mar 26, 2015
    60
    Goon isn’t great, at least in terms of its ambitions, but it is a fine example of what might evolve from pure pop purpose.
  2. Spin
    Mar 20, 2015
    60
    The majority of cuts on Goon still feel like demos: languidly spaced chords, carefully measured arpeggiation, and hardly anything so gauche as a groove. The twinkle, such as it is, comes from the vocal.
  3. The Guardian
    Mar 12, 2015
    60
    A succession of producers--including Ariel Rechtshaid, Patrick Carney of the Black Keys and Jesso’s chief collaborator, former Girls bassist Chet “JR” White--have smoothed the fragility and murk of Jesso’s demos into a 70s-inspired production that accentuates the similarities between his songs and those of various vintage songwriters.

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. coltylocks
    Mar 18, 2015
    9
    An album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies thatAn album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies that deliver messages which are not mentally taxing to understand. Jesso dlievers his lyrics simply without too many cringe-worthy. Do to its accessibility for a wide range of listeners expect this album to make many year end lists. Jesso isnt reinventing the wheel, he is just doing something that is over done, but doing it better than anyone else is the recent past… Full Review »
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    An album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies thatAn album that is not demanding of the listener, however,is not watered down. Jesso has a McCartney like ear for infectious melodies that deliver messages which are not mentally taxing to understand. Jesso dlievers his lyrics simply without too many cringe-worthy. Do to its accessibility for a wide range of listeners expect this album to make many year end lists. Jesso isnt reinventing the wheel, he is just doing something that is over done, but doing it better than anyone else is the recent past.

    a gorgeous, soulful, and earnest little album. Sure, the influences are as naked as they come. Some Elton here. Some McCartney there. Regardless, the songwriting and performances are far too winning to be overshadowed by who this sounds like.

    Jesso packs it with McCartney-like songs, containing infectious melodies and haunting progressions that seem like a Beatles-Elton John amalgamation of epic proportions. It's not a game-changer but no doubt this will put Jesso on the map.    … Full Review »
  3. tannerparsons
    Mar 13, 2017
    9
    A stellar album coming from a young man who originally didn't even want to sing his own songs. I hope he continues to do just that. LookingA stellar album coming from a young man who originally didn't even want to sing his own songs. I hope he continues to do just that. Looking forward to his next release to see if he experiments with new instrumentation.… Full Review »
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