Albums to watch

Runner

The Sea and Cake

Runner

The Chicago band's 10th album of indie pop with jazz and Afropop leanings

ADM rating[?]

7.5

Label
Thrill Jockey
UK Release date
18/09/2012
US Release date
18/09/2012
  1. 8.0 |   All Music

    Elegant and beautiful, as all Sea and Cake albums are, but also slightly experimental
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  2. 8.0 |   DIY

    Performed with all the vigour and aplomb of fresh-faced youngsters and executed with the deftness of touch of grizzled old hands
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  3. 8.0 |   Q

    While Runner is approachable it's always one step ahead. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Theirs remains an abstract, liminal brand of pop. Print edition only

  5. 8.0 |   Prefix

    This is a band built on consistency and despite its disparate moves, Runner is nothing if not consistent, not only in quality but in the way it coheres as a whole
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  6. 8.0 |   The Quietus

    An album which succeeds by virtue of elegance, and which knows a hell of a lot without ever seeming overly knowing
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  7. 8.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   No Ripcord

    A brilliant, mainstream indie rock album from a band who have for too long operated on the margins of, for want of a better word, the ‘scene’. Highly recommended
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  9. 7.5 |   Bowlegs

    A carefully pieced together album that showcases this band’s musical expertise in countless ways – but, perhaps more tellingly, also demonstrates their hunger for continuing to make the most of their talents. Impressive stuff
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  10. 7.5 |   BBC

    The important thing is not that Runner should sound new, but that it should sound fresh. And for much of its length it undeniably does
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  11. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    While the album may easily play as background music, it can also suddenly and effortlessly push itself into the foreground when atmospheric wails morph into these quiet, catchy, dance-grooves
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  12. 7.2 |   Pitchfork

    Runner shakes out as one of this band's most subtly varied albums, and it can be an immersive listening experience if you give yourself over to it
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  13. 7.0 |   Slant Magazine

    The album explores the band's fascination with jazz without forgetting the sunny beach vibes they've become famous for
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  14. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    They may revert to old habits more often than risk making new ones, but if they can still strike gold here and there amid all the pleasant consistency, then it’s worth it. Runner is worth it
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  15. 7.0 |   Blurt

    It is great to hear them testing out other feels without losing an ounce of the consistency that has made them to toast of Chicago for all these years
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