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8.0
144609
8.0 |
DIY
A record of reflection and connection that ranks among the more beautiful-sounding you might hear this year
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8.0
144625
8.0 |
Mojo
Meticulous, inventive record. Print edition only
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8.0
144687
8.0 |
All Music
At the time of American Stories' release, striving for harmony was a rare thing. It's still a noble goal, and on these songs, Rostam achieves it beautifully
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7.3
144610
7.3 |
Northern Transmissions
American Stories ultimately plays like a joyful record, which may be its most radical quality. There’s something almost defiant about its refusal to be a grief or a protest album. It insists, sometimes beautifully, on forging something hopeful out of the materials at hand
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7.0
144617
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
A gorgeous-sounding, meditative addition to his influential catalog
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7.0
144623
7.0 |
Pitchfork
Blending Persian and American folk instrumentation, the alt-pop songwriter and producer expands his signature sound on a sharply focused third solo album
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7.0
144634
7.0 |
musicOMH
The third solo album from the celebrated producer and Vampire Weekend alumnus sports songs that are soft, subtle and immediately accessible
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7.0
144704
7.0 |
Spectrum Culture
American Stories is the least daring, least inventive and least interesting album of Rostam’s career, but his songwriting and production skills are so sharp, the album is still compelling
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6.7
144637
6.7 |
Paste Magazine
The ex-Vampire Weekend multi-instrumentalist and producer wraps his meditations on love, grief, and identity in lightweight, pleasing Americana pop
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6.0
144611
6.0 |
Far Out
Ultimately, the lyrics deserve the sort of attention that you want to give this album. In fact, so does the instrumentation, which at times is truly brilliant and nuanced
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5.0
144626
5.0 |
Uncut
Batmanglij rarely gets out of first gear, fussing through vanilla ballads like "Hardy" and "Forgive Is To Know". Print edition only
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