Highest Recent Ratings

Albums to watch

Total Loss

How to Dress Well

Total Loss

Tom Krell's alter ego makes another outing into the world of ethereal R&B

ADM rating[?]

7.6

Label
Weird World
UK Release date
17/09/2012
US Release date
25/09/2012
Listen on Spotify
Related Links
Last.fm Myspace Wikipedia
Share
Share |

  1. 9.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    There is a vibrant sense of hope that pulses within these tracks which ultimately lifts them up and allows these soulful, ultra-modern R’n'B numbers to soar and take flight
    Read Review

  2. 8.5 |   Beats Per Minute

    An album that ceaselessly overflows with love and a desire to reach out and relate, and it’s this that makes such a heavy album so accessible and so resoundingly good
    Read Review

  3. 8.4 |   Pitchfork

    Total Loss is similar to the xx's Coexist in retreating to further minimalism and introspection after a groundbreaking debut
    Read Review

  4. 8.3 |   The AU Review

    A great voice, a unique sound and an intelligence all contribute to the album’s power, making the philosophy behind it all the more impactful
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    A tender, heartbreaking record
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Krell peels back the curtain that so heavily smothered Love Remains, letting his own voice carry more of the load. The over-the-top effects are toned down so that sometimes Krell’s lyrics are even discernible
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |   Paste Magazine

    On Love Remains, Krell swallowed his pain: Ambience was a coping mechanism, detachment a stylistic trademark. On the poignant and powerful Total Loss, he’s finally invited us all in
    Read Review

  8. 8.0 |   Uncut

    An intriguing new artist has found his voice. Print edition only

  9. 8.0 |   NME

    Leftfield R&B’s album of the year
    Read Review

  10. 8.0 |   The Digital Fix

    Deeply haunting, but beautiful nevertheless
    Read Review

  11. 8.0 |   Clash

    HWTD (sic) has dug himself a neat, little songbird alcove and it’s one only he can reach
    Read Review

  12. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    There’s a delicacy, a deftness of touch throughout Total Loss that’s wondrous
    Read Review

  13. 8.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Total Loss owes much of its mysterious appeal to cryptic, pulsing sounds that roil just below the surface, often hinting at something far greater going on closer at its core
    Read Review

  14. 7.5 |   Bowlegs

    His golden tones soar for the duration, the arrangements cascade in waves of glimmering bliss and the songs reflect on experience, drama and of course a touch of love
    Read Review

  15. 7.5 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    Total Loss is a striking expression of hope and devotion in the face of, well, a whole lotta loss (the album’s two final tracks are particularly heartbreaking)
    Read Review

  16. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Total Loss is tough going because of the emotional intensity of its content
    Read Review

  17. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    Production-wise, Total Loss is a marked step up in fidelity, with co-production credits for Rodaidh McDonald of The xx
    Read Review

  18. 7.0 |   All Music

    Considering how divisive Love Remains' intentional sonic flaws were, if listeners can hear How to Dress Well better on Total Loss, then that counts for something
    Read Review

  19. 7.0 |   Spin

    A beautiful album, all ambient longing and sadness and spectral pop, rising and falling without warning
    Read Review

  20. 7.0 |   Tone Deaf

    An elegant and poignant ambient pop album, ideal for solitary listening and demonstrating a number of thrilling future directions for Krell
    Read Review

  21. 7.0 |   DIY

    Krell has produced another gorgeous record that is incredibly open about love and loss
    Read Review

  22. 7.0 |   BBC

    Second album of lo-fi RnB from Brooklyn boy wonder
    Read Review

  23. 6.0 |   Q

    Melancholic, romantic and unashamedly emotional, his loss is our gain. Print edition only

  24. Back to main chart

blog comments powered by Disqus
buy it at amazon download it from itunes

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Preview & download it

How to Dress Well: Total Loss

  • Download full album for just £5.00
  • 1. When I Was In Trouble £0.89
  • 2. Cold Nites £0.89
  • 3. Say My Name Or Say Whatever £0.89
  • 4. Running Back £0.89
  • 5. & It Was U £0.89
  • 6. World I Need You, Won't Be Without You (Proem) £0.89
  • 7. Struggle £0.89
  • 8. How Many? £0.89
  • 9. Talking To You £0.89
  • 10. Set It Right £0.89
  • 11. Ocean Floor For Everything £0.89
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

Cindy Lee  Diamond Jubilee

Overall, Diamond Jubilee is a compelling diamond in a year of classics that, while hurt by some issues, strives to a level of uniqueness and brilliance that makes it one of the most needed albums to listen to this year Spill Magazine

Cindy Lee  Diamond Jubilee

The record – just like the medium of music – is doomed (or blessed) to exist in this in-between state of ghost-like liminality. Some things exist only through their non-existence, in a brief flash of time, defined through the myths we attribute to them, the outlines we long to perceive within, to imagine another, to feel ourselves Beats Per Minute

Cindy Lee  Diamond Jubilee

An out-of-the-blue magnum opus from the Canadian indie drag artist. Print edition only Uncut

More reviews

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So, the highest-rated albums from the past twelve years or so. Rankings are calculated to two decimal places.

  1. 9.3

    Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly

  2. 9.2

    Fiona Apple Fetch The Bolt Cutters

  3. 9.1

    Kendrick Lamar Damn.

  4. 9.1

    D'Angelo And The Vanguard Black Messiah

  5. 9.0

    Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen

  6. 9.0

    Self Esteem Prioritise Pleasure

  7. 8.9

    Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways

  8. 8.9

    Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree

  9. 8.9

    Frank Ocean Channel Orange

  10. 8.9

    Dave We’re All Alone In This Together

See full list