-
8.5
129757
8.5 |
Northern Transmissions
It is the right mix of melancholy and ecstatic, reflective and hopeful
Read Review
-
8.0
129786
8.0 |
Clash
Arguably an album highlight is seventh track ‘Unnecessary Drama’. This upbeat, energetic, feel-good tune could easily transport listeners to the early 90s when the band first emerged, yet still holds a timeless energy
Read Review
-
8.0
129743
8.0 |
musicOMH
Seven years since their last ‘official’ album comes this warm, comforting return from a band who do what they do extremely well
Read Review
-
8.0
129720
8.0 |
Mojo
Covid scuppered plans to record A Bit Of Previous in LA. So, for the first time in over 20 years, they stayed home and, coincidentally or not, made their best record in over 20 years. Print edition only
-
8.0
129721
8.0 |
Uncut
Best of all are “Prophets On Hold” and "Talk To Me”, AOR masterpieces that should have been on the last Abba album. Print edition only
-
8.0
129722
8.0 |
All Music
It's in the album's unlikely combination of weighty sentiments and cheerful (if especially diverse) sounds that Belle and Sebastian grow, offering up an honest assessment of what getting older feels like when you're one of the world's best indie pop bands
Read Review
-
8.0
129806
8.0 |
NME
Grounded by lockdown, the veteran indie-pop septet made an album in their hometown of Glasgow for the first time in 22 years. The result is glorious
Read Review
-
8.0
129829
8.0 |
DIY
When they’re serving up classical pop tracks this accomplished, it’s ground you’re delighted to hear them going back over
Read Review
-
8.0
129975
8.0 |
American Songwriter
If A Bit of Previous may seem a bit precious in its exact arrangements, then so be it. The definition of radio-ready music has changed significantly over the decades, and given what we’re left with, that’s not necessarily such a good thing
Read Review
-
7.5
129817
7.5 |
Pitchfork
The Scottish band’s first studio album in seven years considers the importance of togetherness with clear, aphoristic language and a few musical experiments
Read Review
-
7.0
129812
7.0 |
Under The Radar
A Bit of Previous is just that—an exercise in self-awareness by a band too intelligent to sell out, but certainly not impervious to the spell of nostalgia
Read Review
-
7.0
129723
7.0 |
Slant Magazine
Belle and Sebastian’s 10th album strikes a balance between the band’s familiar sound and proving they still have something to say
Read Review
-
7.0
129754
7.0 |
Exclaim
Belle and Sebastian aren't making a grand statement here; rather, more than seven years on from their last proper LP, B&S are honing in on some of their signature styles and making an album that sounds quintessentially like themselves
Read Review
-
7.0
129755
7.0 |
XS Noize
The album really brings the group's career together for something completely new
Read Review
-
6.0
129797
6.0 |
Evening Standard
They haven’t changed too much, which will thrill one of indie pop’s most devoted fanbases
Read Review
-
6.0
129724
6.0 |
PopMatters
On Belle and Sebastian’s first album in seven years, A Bit of Previous, the cozy Glaswegians prioritize candor and retain a bit of their previous magic
Read Review
-
6.0
129725
6.0 |
Record Collector
Recorded in their native Glasgow, the group’s first studio album since 2015 leans into core band virtues to find fortitude before time’s passage
Read Review
-
6.0
129857
6.0 |
Loud And Quiet
Ultimately A Bit of Previous lacks a clear tonal throughline to tie this work together for a greater impact
Read Review
-
5.0
129879
5.0 |
Spectrum Culture
If you’re able to turn off the most critical impulses you may have, you might love A Bit of Previous — after all, its songs are fun to listen to, and if you don’t feel the urge to nitpick incessantly, you might even grow to love the record. But, honestly, that’s a huge bummer
Read Review
-