Albums to watch

Playing Favorites

Sheer Mag

Playing Favorites

Third album and first in five years from the Philadelphia rock five-piece featuring a guest appearance by Mdou Moctar

ADM rating[?]

7.7

Label
Third Man
UK Release date
01/03/2024
US Release date
01/03/2024
  1. 9.0 |   All Music

    With Playing Favorites, Sheer Mag have made an excellent rock & roll album, and yes, sometimes that is all you need
    Read Review

  2. 9.0 |   DIY

    Sheer Mag are still skilled at creating a vibe, and this time around it’s a positively fun one
    Read Review

  3. 8.4 |   Paste Magazine

    The Philadelphia hard-rockers rig sadness into joy on their third LP and Third Man Records debut
    Read Review

  4. 8.3 |   Spin

    Playing Favorites proves that joy can show up defiantly, wearing a sleeveless denim vest, and sometimes, a rollicking good time is the glue holding our hearts together
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   Slant Magazine

    The album proves that the band can show off their softer underbelly just as skillfully as they do their fangs
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   Uncut

    At times Sheer Mag are miraculous pop hustlers, still pulling off the most absurd trick shots on the scuffed three yards of stained green baize. Which isn't to say that they're not above a little experiment. Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Mojo

    In just any universe, Playing Favorites would dominate the world's FM stations for two years straight. Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    Playing Favorites does exactly what it says on the tin, and you know what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that at all
    Read Review

  9. 8.0 |   Exclaim

    It’s punchy, diverse and ingratiatingly pure in its rowdiness, while maintaining their teeth-gnashing appeal
    Read Review

  10. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    What started life as a disco EP designed to help the band through personal difficulties has evolved into a refined, joyful take on their distortion-lagged rock
    Read Review

  11. 7.5 |   Under The Radar

    What’s largely great about Playing Favorites is just how FUN it is, a rambunctious rock ‘n’ roll record with a big heart and a smart mouth
    Read Review

  12. 6.7 |   Pitchfork

    The Philadelphia rockers sign to Third Man, try a few new tricks, and kick out the jams with some diminishing returns
    Read Review

  13. 5.0 |   Spectrum Culture

    They just sound bored on every bog-standard song on Playing Favorites, which makes you wonder why they’re so attached to an aesthetic their hearts aren’t even in, especially when it’s being released on Third Man Records, the premier home for albums that sound exactly like this one
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Latest Reviews

More reviews