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Conatus

Zola Jesus

Conatus

Russian American singer Nika Roza Danilova returns with her second full-length, combining elements of industrial, goth and electronic music

ADM rating[?]

7.4

Label
Souterrain Transmissions
UK Release date
26/09/2011
US Release date
04/10/2011
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  1. 10.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Masterpiece
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  2. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    It showcases Danilova’s pop sensibility without losing or short-shifting her unique, considered sound in the slightes
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  3. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    Slashed by shards and shadows, Conatus is Zola Jesus’ best album to date
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  4. 8.0 |   Rave Magazine

    It’s a good album, perhaps even a very good one, but one that also feels safe, despite the overt experimentalism of its music
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  5. 8.0 |   Blurt

    Furthers her classically trained Liza Minnelli husk with the bad seeds of a Siouxsie Sioux
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  6. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    If you had high hopes for Conatus, sing hallelujah as it not only meets expectations, it confidently shrugs and keeps on flying ‘til it’s way outta sight
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  7. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Although familiar by now, the Zola Jesus style has been refined enough so that it remains fresh and leaves the listener awaiting the next otherworldly journey
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  8. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    By endeavouring to vary her shtick without losing any of the characteristic ticks, the future is hers for the taking
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  9. 8.0 |   Clash

    Stepping out of the shadows suits her
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  10. 8.0 |   The Digital Fix

    An impressive and captivating balance between shadowy pop melody and whimsical experimentation
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  11. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    More bare structurally, musically and emotionally than its predecessor, yet by the same token, fuller and more alive, it is an amazing work that showcases a phenomenal talent and a unique voice
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  12. 8.0 |   Spin

    The whole spooky spectacle is still very much her own, still bewitching, still ample reason to get cloaked up
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  13. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Boasts a largely electronic backdrop. Print edition only

  14. 8.0 |   Q

    A mind-blowing and powerfully emotional album. Print edition only

  15. 7.7 |   Pitchfork

    There's a newfound sense of purpose, as if, having tested her abilities, Danilova now understands exactly what she's doing
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  16. 7.5 |   Bowlegs

    A record made by a musician with fortitude and intent, and the songs reflect that ten fold
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  17. 7.1 |   Beats Per Minute

    Shows Danilova making a conscious and admirable effort to try take another step in the right direction and for the most part it’s hard to fault her
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  18. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    A very sensuous, luxurious forty minutes
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  19. 7.0 |   Paste Magazine

    Despite its uneven spark, the best bits sting like cigarette ash in the cornea
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  20. 7.0 |   NME

    Gives you a more polished version of exactly what you'd want from a Zola Jesus album
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  21. 7.0 |   The Fly

    Nika Roza Danilova’s voice remains an unadulterated force
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  22. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    A worthy addition to a body of work of uncompromising consistency
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  23. 7.0 |   BBC

    It still feels like the best is yet to come from Danilova, which some may consider a disappointment now that she’s three albums to the good.
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  24. 6.5 |   Prefix

    Conatus doesn’t necessarily smash Zola Jesus’ hype, but it certainly does temper it
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  25. 6.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Its churning, creepy urgency proves hard to dismiss
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  26. 6.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    Zola has one of the strongest voices and most distinctive aesthetics in the game right now, and Conatus succeeds as often as it does (and it does) because it’s still everything we loved about her
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  27. 6.0 |   State

    While production has progressed, songwriting/craft remains somewhat stagnant
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  28. 6.0 |   DIY

    Danilova lacks the emotional depth and originality of some of her peers, most notably Bjork, with too many tracks blurring into each other
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  29. 6.0 |   The Observer

    Sticks close to the blueprint of her past two efforts, her aching bellows of a voice gusting through mournful strings and occasionally bolder beats
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  30. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    Danilova's juggernaut vocals can feel relentless
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  31. Back to main chart

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