Albums to watch

V

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

V

Fifth full-length release by Oregon-based New Zealand psychedelic group recorded in Palm Springs, California and Hilo, Hawaii

ADM rating[?]

7.1

Label
Jagjaguwar
UK Release date
17/03/2023
US Release date
17/03/2023
  1. 9.0 |   Uncut

    The clarity and effervescence of much of V can seem revelatory
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  2. 8.0 |   Northern Transmissions

    This is going to be one of the best albums of 2023.
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  3. 8.0 |   NME

    The latest stage of Ruban Nielson’s psychedelic experiment explores love, loss and his Hawaiian heritage
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  4. 7.5 |   Spectrum Culture

    Contrary to the cover art, V is an album without any bite. But even through the languor, Nielson flexes his muscles as a songwriter
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  5. 7.1 |   Beats Per Minute

    V’s chief characteristic is its urgency – or lack thereof
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  6. 7.0 |   All Music

    It's just as easy of an album to drift off in thought to as it is to obsess over its patchwork of details and strange coloration, reaching a deeper, more thoughtful expression of the kind of bizarre beauty the band excels at
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  7. 7.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    An hour of music that gives the same satisfaction as reading an insightful book on a sun-kissed day
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  8. 7.0 |   DIY

    While ‘V’ has the tendency to revisit some familiar ground, it builds a whole world to roam
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  9. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    Unknown Mortal Orchestra return from a five-year hiatus to deliver a double album, V, containing both the best and blandest songs they’ve ever made
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  10. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    Even if V isn’t as shadowy or nuanced as its reference points, it’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s nicest to just sit in the sun for a bit
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  11. 6.7 |   Pitchfork

    On his fifth album, Ruban Nielson accompanies some of his strongest songwriting and performances to date with foggy production that makes the whole thing feel like a long, rummy sigh
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  12. 6.0 |   Mojo

    There are featureless patches, bits of white-box real-estate that need a little more character, but there's always something intriguing around V's corners. Print edition only


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