Kintsugi
by Death Cab for Cutie
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Mar 31, 2015
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
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  1. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Mar 31, 2015
    90
    This is one of the most profound heart and soul records I've ever experienced.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Mar 31, 2015
    83
    It blends the newer sounds of the group’s recent output with the warmth and accessibility of its earlier work, which makes for a fine cocktail.
  3. The New York Times
    Apr 1, 2015
    80
    It’s a smartly shaped response to two recent disentanglements, at least one of which seems to have left a residue of trauma.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Mar 30, 2015
    80
    Kintsugi sees their eighteen-year-in-the-making intentions fully realised, and--eight albums in--Death Cab For Cutie are born again; a little cracked, but all the more golden for it.
  6. Uncut
    Mar 6, 2015
    80
    The tautly controlled power of the performances meshes with the barely harness emotion of Ban Gibbard's impeccably sculpted, tortured lyrics. [Apr 2015, p.73]
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  7. Chicago Tribune
    Mar 30, 2015
    75
    Though the potential for melodrama is strong, Gibbard and his bandmates play with restraint.
  8. Clash Music
    Apr 6, 2015
    70
    Kintsugi hits hard due to its lightness, its bitter heart shrouded in soft arpeggios and catchy riffs.
  9. Boston Globe
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    You’ll find oblique references [to the departure of producer Chris Walla and frontman Ben Gibbard’s divorce from actress Zooey Deschanel], but it’s just as easy to find yourself in these 11 tracks.
  10. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    At its core, Kintsugi takes broken pieces and finds ways to put them back together into something new.
  11. AllMusic
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    Gibbard has a gentle touch so having cushy, sugary melodies mirrored by a production equally as supple feels like a marriage of intent and sound.
  12. Paste Magazine
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    So maybe Kintsugi isn’t a perfect effort. But like the ceramic art itself, Death Cab’s attempt at repatching was thoughtful, deliberate and, at times, really beautiful.
  13. Rolling Stone
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    Death Cab have coped with their losses collectively, and emerged with a heart-wrenchingly honest record.
  14. The 405
    Mar 30, 2015
    70
    With Kintsugi, the cracks in the Death Cab veneer are undoubtedly visible, shiny or not. While many of the tracks fall flat, the vestiges of their prior form--confession and melody and, ultimately, charm--will likely still be evident enough to keep fans enamored. 

  15. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 23, 2015
    70
    Kintsugi is a finely-made tearjerker of a record that evokes similar levels of sadness as those examples, featuring some crisp and well-structured songwriting that launches torrents of emotive air strikes to summon an appropriate degree of solemnity.
  16. Austin Chronicle
    Apr 30, 2015
    67
    The acoustic "Hold No Guns" and yawning dirge "You've Haunted Me All My Life" spin austere--dramatic--but ring flat. Even so, Death Cab for Cutie's breakup ballads remain anthemic and radio-ready.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 30, 2015
    67
    Outside of the runaway-goth jam "The Ghosts of Beverly Drive," their latest rarely rises above inertly pleasant. [3 Apr 2015, p.61]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 57
  3. Negative: 3 out of 57
  1. Nedloh94
    Mar 31, 2015
    9
    The first few listens of Kintsugi were quite disappointing for me. Still, I love Death Cab, and am more than willing to give this a bit ofThe first few listens of Kintsugi were quite disappointing for me. Still, I love Death Cab, and am more than willing to give this a bit of time. Around the fifth listen, it clicked. This is perhaps the most emotionally mature, and most soulful Death Cab for Cutie album in years. I love Codes and Keys, and I love Narrow Stairs, but they lack serious heart compared to Kintsugi. The songwriting here is as excellent as one could be. The production might seem off-putting or distracting at first, but it does begin to feel natural and earned. Though Kintsugi is by no means Death Cab for Cutie's best album, the end result is quite authentically beautifully. Definitely worth the effort.… Full Review »
  2. thewindowseat
    May 18, 2015
    6
    I've pretty much given up all hope of DCFC shovelling out more Tranatlanticism-esque material, although some moments on Kintsugi make it easyI've pretty much given up all hope of DCFC shovelling out more Tranatlanticism-esque material, although some moments on Kintsugi make it easy to come to those terms, but not quite so forgiving.

    You want to teach, but not be taught
    I wanna sell, but not be bought

    Gibbard should've doubled-checked himself before accusing out loud.    … Full Review »
  3. ellster2005
    Apr 20, 2015
    7
    It was never going to be easy for Death Cab for Cutie, it being the last album by the indie rock band to include Chris Walla, but theyIt was never going to be easy for Death Cab for Cutie, it being the last album by the indie rock band to include Chris Walla, but they ploughed through and made a pleasingly good collection of heartfelt love songs and just straight up indie. Overall a nice listen!… Full Review »
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