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9.0
120475
9.0 |
Uncut
A spectacular return to the tower of song and the game he plays best. Brimming with memorable melodies, swooning arrangements and smart lyrics dreamily sung. Print edition only
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9.0
120497
9.0 |
musicOMH
This is a quality record. In fact, it’s an excellent record. Given it’s a Rufus Wainwright record, did you expect anything else?
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9.0
120545
9.0 |
Clash
Unfollow The Rules feels like a gentle stroll through the various stages of Rufus’s career; far from creating the impression of Rufus covering his own back catalogue, the effect is like a timely reminder of everything that’s wonderful about Wainwright
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8.0
120555
8.0 |
The FT
After writing an opera, the singer and composer returns with a lavish new album and a more refined voice
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8.0
120559
8.0 |
All Music
Wainwright's growth as a composer/arranger and his experiences in the classical realm are apparent here. Though, to his credit as a tunesmith, his words and melodies remain center stage
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8.0
120474
8.0 |
The Music
The album offers richness that rewards re-listens
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8.0
120648
8.0 |
Record Collector
If this does end up marking the end of the first act of his career, as well as this glorious album, it feels perfectly fitting
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8.0
120503
8.0 |
Exclaim
The burst of energy on Unfollow the Rules might come as a surprise, but perhaps not an inexplicable one; the energy once spent blazing the trail forward is now spent dancing in place
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8.0
120513
8.0 |
The Independent
Reaching middle age is an interesting landmark to acknowledge with such a bold artistic statement, less so once you realise Wainwright wanted to emulate the classic periods of Leonard Cohen and Frank Sinatra
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8.0
120524
8.0 |
The Irish Times
With a couple of extravagant exceptions, the songs are structurally lean, yet everything takes flight, and that is truly a sound to behold
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8.0
120476
8.0 |
Q
For all the finely crafted, impeccably produced numbers there are enough stripped-back torch song moments to remind us of the simple power of Wainwright's talent. Print edition only
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8.0
120477
8.0 |
Mojo
It is a relief to see Wainwright honouring his formidable songwriting talents with songs as luscious as those on Poses or Want One. Print edition only
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8.0
120472
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
Big, baroque, occasionally operatic with lots of multilayered Wainwright vocals, Unfollow is a postmodern album
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7.5
120473
7.5 |
Northern Transmissions
Overall, Unfollow the Rules is a concise album, yet it still sounds like it’s on the edge of bursting with exuberance. And if the album is to be a final installment, however symbolically, it’s not a bad note to end on
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7.0
120593
7.0 |
Gigwise
Wainwright at his most refined
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7.0
120607
7.0 |
Spectrum Culture
With his ninth album, Rufus Wainwright explores the complexity of human emotions, and it’s all held together by his penchant for quiet individuality
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7.0
120626
7.0 |
God Is In The TV
It feels like with Unfollow The Rules, Rufus should follow his own advice – the album falls short most when it’s reaching for something – and it’s at its most self-assured and sincere when he isn’t trying too hard
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6.9
120540
6.9 |
Pitchfork
Rufus Wainwright’s first original album in eight years isn’t so much a reinvention as an opulently crafted highlight reel, a career-spanning sampler of the singer’s many styles and guises
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6.0
120528
6.0 |
Evening Standard
Perfectly preened album needs to get loose
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6.0
120539
6.0 |
Rolling Stone
A stately pop throwback full of his signature vocal grandeur
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