Post Tropical
by James Vincent McMorrow
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2014
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. The Guardian
    Jan 10, 2014
    60
    McMorrow's new direction is so sweetly sentimental it makes Alt-J sound like NWA.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Jan 10, 2014
    60
    McMorrow has shaken off the folk singer with a guitar tag to give us an album pregnant with intrigue, creativity and diversity.
  3. Exclaim
    Jan 13, 2014
    50
    Over ten tracks and 40 minutes, Post Tropical never picks up any steam, never comes to life. Mere gorgeousness is, it turns out, not quite enough to sustain a record.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Ricko
    Sep 22, 2014
    7
    With 2010's "Early in the Morning", JVM delivered a fine debut, even if it was a rather typical singer songwriter affair. 3 and a bit yearsWith 2010's "Early in the Morning", JVM delivered a fine debut, even if it was a rather typical singer songwriter affair. 3 and a bit years later he returns with a record that goes in a really surprising direction and while this is to be admired, the "new" sound has Bon Iver written all over it. It's a solid and enjoyable album but it does take repeated listens to get into before it starts to bloom (for me anyway). Many of the tracks take an eternity to build but are generally worth bearing with. The same could be said for the album in general - I found the final two tracks to be where the album really kicked on with "Glacier" and "Outside, Writing". I'm not sure what this album will do for his fanbase - could attract a whole raft of material starved Bon Iver fans but could also alienate the more mainstream singer songwriter market he made inroads into with his debut. He's taken a risky step with this one. I can't really say whether it has been a worthwhile risk.… Full Review »
  2. Scooter4849
    Apr 24, 2014
    8
    A lot of people have compared this guy to James Blake and Bon Iver. While he does clearly borrow some ideas from them, he does keeps thingsA lot of people have compared this guy to James Blake and Bon Iver. While he does clearly borrow some ideas from them, he does keeps things mostly original. Instead of electronica or fok, James leads us on an album journey of neo-soul. Great harmonized falsettos, pianos, electronic melodies, light guitar and drum machines. A rather emotive album, mainly due to the passion in his voice. Where this is most apparent are on the simplest tracks, with just him and his piano. Other parts are a little more complex, with horn fills, string sections and crescendo builds. It's not a easy album to get into initially, but once you give it a few listens, and let the pretty good lyrics win you over as well, it's an easy album to like. Best tracks for me are Cavalier, Red Dust, Look Out and Post Tropical.… Full Review »
  3. RedOwlReviews
    Feb 5, 2014
    8
    Vivid, dreamy, soulful, and adorned with soft instrumental arrangements, James Vincent McMorrow's second album provides listeners with aVivid, dreamy, soulful, and adorned with soft instrumental arrangements, James Vincent McMorrow's second album provides listeners with a gentle and refreshening alternative sound. Delicate and unobtrusive, the instrumentation allows McMorrow to showcase his absolutely astounding voice without making it overbearing (which it definitely has the potential to be). Although the album may drag on at times, it ultimately provides less than 40 minutes of a beautiful and budding musical thought process. Think of it as a palate cleanser for the ear, transitioning from 2013 - that busy year for music - to whatever 2014 has in store for us.

    FINAL SCORE: 75 (pretty good----------o----------great)    … Full Review »
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