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10.0
126889
10.0 |
The Irish Times
Exceptional, empathic call to arms for the broken
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10.0
126945
10.0 |
Vinyl Chapters
A Beginner’s Mind is music production in it’s purest, most retrospective form
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9.0
127008
9.0 |
XS Noize
Sufjan has always followed his muse through Electronica, Folk, Classical and Experimental genres scoring critical and widespread acclaim and mining gold with A Beginner's Mind. Along with De Augustine Stevens delivers the heartfelt and breathtaking, do not miss this release
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8.5
126908
8.5 |
Under The Radar
As art begets art, A Beginner’s Mind is both truly inspirational and a testament to what can come out of work-shopping with A-list performers
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8.0
126930
8.0 |
Spectrum Culture
At 14 tracks and a few missteps, the album could be trimmed slightly, but the pair’s first full-length collaboration shows both artists bringing the best out of each other.
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8.0
126998
8.0 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
This album attempts to posit an answer to its own rhetorical question and asks: what would a world that isn’t cruel but compassionate, and kind, sound like?
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8.0
126878
8.0 |
The Independent
This duo have reflected on their classic movie binge-watch in sweetly harmonised acoustic tranquility, like a modern day Simon & Garfunkel with PhDs in psychotherapy
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8.0
126905
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Sufjan Stevens still loves a concept album, and this film-inspired set of songs works seamlessly
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8.0
126867
8.0 |
Exclaim
A Beginner's Mind will not wow you with grand theatrics but it will have you on the edge of your seat nevertheless
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8.0
126868
8.0 |
Mojo
The gently ticking, lightly compressed acoustic instrument arpeggios will be familiar to fans of both songwriters, but it's the pair's half-whispered vocals blend that enchants. Print edition only
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8.0
126869
8.0 |
Uncut
The duo take their movie-fuelled visions in directions that are continually surprising. Print edition only
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8.0
126870
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
The moment which brings the album together is its closer ‘Lacrimae’, which brings together the wider themes of the album – religion, mortality, a sense of being lost and alone – with a finality to it that’s both beautiful and terrifying
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7.7
126891
7.7 |
Beats Per Minute
A Beginner’s Mind proves the two are not only capable of making beautiful music as a duo, but bodes well for their solo work to come — it’s yet another captivating plot point in their overarching narratives
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7.7
126911
7.7 |
Paste Magazine
The duo's movie marathon-inspired collaboration is more than the sum of its parts
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7.6
126875
7.6 |
Northern Transmissions
A collection of 14 good chamber-folk songs, which could soundtrack movies of their own
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7.0
127033
7.0 |
PopMatters
Sufjan Stevens is taking aim on A Beginner’s Mind with catchy alt-folk that soothes the ear while placing bitter contents below the surface
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6.7
126959
6.7 |
Pitchfork
With a collection of gentle duets inspired by great-to-iffy movies, the veteran songwriter and protégé uncover mythic resonances and ugly truths
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6.0
126913
6.0 |
The FT
The pair deliver film-inspired tracks through acoustic guitars and breathy vocal harmonies
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