White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood
by Of Montreal
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The 405
    Mar 13, 2018
    75
    He is constantly blowing up what’s good about his work, adding extraneous parts, going on wild tangents, obfuscating emotional truth with impenetrable verbosity, veering from good taste to bad in the blink of an eye, or reinventing his band’s sound wholesale. While this impulse doesn’t always translate to an enjoyable experience for the listener, and can be especially trying for longtime fans, who can become overly attached to what they would consider to be Of Montreal’s definitive sound, there’s no denying that Barnes takes your ears to places they’ve likely never been before. There won’t be another album that comes out this year that sounds like White is Relic/Irrealis Mood.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Mar 9, 2018
    75
    The album (nominally a concept record about the “the death of whiteness”) has six long tracks that stretch over 42 minutes, and within them are evocative stretches of ominous early synth pop, noodling synth funk, and dreamy dance music in the vein of A.R. Kane. Barnes’ voice and coy, over-accentuated phrasing remain the band’s love-it-or-leave-it factor.
  3. Under The Radar
    Mar 8, 2018
    75
    Barnes has a once again solid outing under the of Montreal moniker on an album that is as quirky as it is seamless.
  5. Pitchfork
    Mar 13, 2018
    72
    It’s easy to miss the album’s sonic and conceptual ingenuity amid the lyrical bloat. The thing is, even Barnes’ worst clunkers serve a purpose.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 8, 2018
    70
    This is Of Montreal's 15th LP (to say nothing of their many EPs and compilations), and it's neither their most sonically confrontational work, nor their most viscerally emotional. It's pleasant and poppy, but if you don't get around to listening, no sweat.
  7. AllMusic
    Mar 8, 2018
    70
    Taken together, White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood offers convoluted yet catchy dance-rock that lures with flamboyant basslines while capturing a dancing-while-anxious Zeitgeist.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Mar 8, 2018
    70
    Barnes's willingness to use it as a mechanism for bearing his deepest fears and vulnerabilities--even through the highly stylized filter of a paranoid retro-futurist nightmare--makes White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood deceptively relatable.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 12, 2018
    60
    White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood is, in essence, a very solid new of Montreal album.
  10. PopMatters
    Mar 8, 2018
    60
    White is Relic / Irrealis Mood at least has the good sense to drape most of Barnes' stranger ideas in a layer of danceable grooves, which keeps it pretty accessible. As far as the more experimental Of Montreal records go, this is near the top of the list. This doesn't necessarily mean I can give it a straight recommendation, but it's more listenable than Barnes' most outré material.
  11. Spin
    Mar 20, 2018
    50
    There are glimmers of melodic gems--but that’s all they prove to be, sagging beneath the weight of these overstuffed songs.
  12. DIY Magazine
    Mar 9, 2018
    40
    Extension relies not just on quality component parts (of which there are many here), but too on tender placement and a development which holds some compassion for the listener. On this rich but straggling album, of Montreal fail on both accounts.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Fractalcathedra
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    This is the best Of Montreal album ever, in my opinion, and I've listened to them all. It's like they've refined their sound to the mostThis is the best Of Montreal album ever, in my opinion, and I've listened to them all. It's like they've refined their sound to the most crystalline version of themselves- catchy, lush, expansive, beautiful, dark, subversive, political, danceable, and at times quite hilarious. I actually didn't get into their last couple of albums, and I sort of thought I was over them, on the whole. I'm glad I gave this a chance, it's become an unexpected front-runner for my favorite album of the year. 10/10.… Full Review »
  2. fwtll636
    May 12, 2018
    8
    Somehow, through all the random noises and low-fi production, an impressive album is born. Perhaps not strong enough to persuade the skeptics,Somehow, through all the random noises and low-fi production, an impressive album is born. Perhaps not strong enough to persuade the skeptics, but entertaining enough to keep listeners interested.… Full Review »
  3. hotwheels47125
    Apr 29, 2018
    10
    Vampire 80's Club Dance Parties, commence!
    Of Montreal takes a concept like "Simulated Reality" and plays with it against times of finding    Vampire 80's Club Dance Parties, commence!
    Of Montreal takes a concept like "Simulated Reality" and plays with it against times of finding love to create 6 of the most enjoyable reflections Kevin Barnes has painted in his entire career. There is not a bad track on this concise and well thought-out record.
    Seeing the band perform the album live adds a whole new layer of what makes this band who they are in the underground kingdom of music. Do yourself a favor and try this album with headphones, then, check their tour schedule! It's worth the $20.    … Full Review »
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