Whole New Mess
by Angel Olsen
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
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. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    6
    Angel Olsen presents the early versions of the songs which were released in her fourth studio album. While All Mirrors felt like a grandiose statement of Olsen’s artistry, Whole New Mess is full of rawness and vulnerability, which makes the songs sound more sincere. In her first solo act in years, Angel’s voice and talent as a songwriter are able to shine without the full ensemble maskingAngel Olsen presents the early versions of the songs which were released in her fourth studio album. While All Mirrors felt like a grandiose statement of Olsen’s artistry, Whole New Mess is full of rawness and vulnerability, which makes the songs sound more sincere. In her first solo act in years, Angel’s voice and talent as a songwriter are able to shine without the full ensemble masking any of the emotions that she was trying to deliver. Whole New Mess doesn’t feel like an unfinished product of All Mirrors. Instead, it feels like a completely different project which Angel had envisioned from the beginning.… Expand
  2. mikeydowntown
    Dec 8, 2020
    4
    A Whole New Mess...but still a mess. By the third track I was sure that I must have gotten the wrong album. Talk about this being a “bare” recording are misleading. Sure there is just her and sometimes an organ but all the echo, reverb and microphone placement tricks just make it a horrible production that is a disservice to the lyrical confessions and exposures which give the album theA Whole New Mess...but still a mess. By the third track I was sure that I must have gotten the wrong album. Talk about this being a “bare” recording are misleading. Sure there is just her and sometimes an organ but all the echo, reverb and microphone placement tricks just make it a horrible production that is a disservice to the lyrical confessions and exposures which give the album the cathartic mood that Ms. Olsen must have wanted to share. Terribly produced and presented it is not quite, but almost, a total regret of a purchase.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. PopMatters
    Sep 24, 2020
    70
    No one would call this a pretty album. It's much too stark. But something is riveting about the way Olsen coos to herself that's soft and comforting.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 1, 2020
    80
    Whole New Mess has a singular power. The songs are spare but still feel electric, and despite their lower volume compared to All Mirrors, you couldn’t necessarily call them quiet. Their slow-strummed chords and finger-picked patterns are at times deliberately brittle and blown-out. Whole New Mess amplifies a different source of loudness.
    Read full review
  3. DIY Magazine
    Aug 31, 2020
    80
    It’s a record of personal growth in its most authentic form. It’s nice to finally hear the whole story.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »