Visuals
by Mew
  • Record Label: PIAS
  • Release Date: Apr 28, 2017
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. weltall89
    Apr 29, 2017
    4
    Mew seem to be languishing artistically at this stage in their career. It may be an improvement over the similarly over-produced +-, however the absence of human performance and musical nuance is even more lacking with this effort. The entire album feels claustrophobic, being dominated by Bjerre's smothered harmonies and his unconvinving (bordering on cheesy) synth pads and melodies.Mew seem to be languishing artistically at this stage in their career. It may be an improvement over the similarly over-produced +-, however the absence of human performance and musical nuance is even more lacking with this effort. The entire album feels claustrophobic, being dominated by Bjerre's smothered harmonies and his unconvinving (bordering on cheesy) synth pads and melodies. Wohlert holds the bass down sufficiently, however the prodigious talents of Silas Graae are woefully absent. His once thunderous, lively and imaginative drumming style has been restricted to be nothing more than dull and robotic, a beat drawn by piano-roll wouldn't be much worse. After the creative peak of the mid 2000s, they have spent much of the past decade seemingly content to rehash musical trends (2000s Bloc Party, Animal Collective, M83) that were better realised by other bands, years before. Rather than allow their idiosyncratic talents to shine, they neuter themselves and refuse to play to their strengths. A real shame.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 23, 2017
    80
    Visuals is probably the most ‘simple’ Mew has been since Frengers (albeit without that album’s jet engine roar), but if it never quite reaches the twisty heights of +--it remains endearing nonetheless.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    May 30, 2017
    70
    Far from perfect, but confident and assured.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 9, 2017
    80
    Visuals spatters Mew's art-rock sensibilities on a pop canvas. [Jul 2017, p.111]
See all critic reviews »