II

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

II

Second album of psychedelic rock from the Oregon band led by New Zealander Ruban Nielson

ADM rating[?]

7.7

Label
Jagjaguwar
UK Release date
04/02/2013
US Release date
05/02/2013
  1. 10.0 |   The Fly

    Far-out, fascinating, fantastic – just plain F-ing good
    Read Review

  2. 9.0 |   God Is In The TV

    Just as immersive as UMO’s debut album yet more considered, II finds itself exempt from any real criticism
    Read Review

  3. 9.0 |   Tone Deaf

    The first truly great album of 2013
    Read Review

  4. 9.0 |   Uncut

    An album of sensual pleasures and magical power. Print edition only

  5. 9.0 |   Clash

    2013 is unlikely to birth a more sublime shimmer of surf-pop than ‘So Good At Being In Trouble’. Gently - and gloriously - nudging perfection
    Read Review

  6. 9.0 |   The 405

    A supremely commendable second effort
    Read Review

  7. 8.5 |   Beats Per Minute

    Like a shark, or perhaps like time itself, II moves not out of a desire to reach a destination, but out of sheer necessity, fearing what may happen if it ever were to stop, leaving us no choice but to swim along with it
    Read Review

  8. 8.4 |   AltSounds

    Revival rock that’s custom designed for day dreaming and offers us not just what will remain one of 2013’s finest record, but a classic album for the ages
    Read Review

  9. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    Whereas their last album piqued interest with new, abnormal sounds, II builds on this intrigue but in a calming manner, still drenched in the lo-fi, fuzzy warmness solidified with a cranked up bass
    Read Review

  10. 8.3 |   Paste Magazine

    There’s more consistent musical plasma coursing through the veins of II
    Read Review

  11. 8.0 |   All Music

    II takes risks and achieves greatness
    Read Review

  12. 8.0 |   No Ripcord

    An album whose songs, personality, and band-chemistry come together for something that could well outlast its own current weirdness
    Read Review

  13. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    There's something about the production that makes this album sound as if it's being beamed in from a faraway planet
    Read Review

  14. 8.0 |   NME

    Raw melody made Unknown Mortal Orchestra exciting two years ago; now they've matched it with attention to detail
    Read Review

  15. 8.0 |   BBC

    Throwbacks aren’t a concern when the songs are as wonderfully complete as they are on this record
    Read Review

  16. 7.5 |   Under The Radar

    Nielson writes great songs. They'd still be great songs in full '80s cocaine-and-gated-reverb regalia, '90s purist indie rock production, or any other treatment
    Read Review

  17. 7.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Frustratingly muted but nevertheless enthralling
    Read Review

  18. 7.3 |   Pitchfork

    II starts and finishes on strong notes, making it easy to revisit, and leaving the midsection as an isolated affair that might grow on you
    Read Review

  19. 7.1 |   Bowlegs

    While much of this records verges on the derivative – its quirky, super warm production and melodies save it more often than not
    Read Review

  20. 7.0 |   Consequence Of Sound

    While II doesn’t kick around quite the same as its predecessor, it makes up for that with subtleties
    Read Review

  21. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Overall, while II is a success, it’s just not quite the great record it should have been
    Read Review

  22. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    A tight, enjoyable sophomore album that solidifies their sound and sets them apart from their peers and musical ancestors
    Read Review

  23. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    The Portland trio make decaying states of consciousness seem like heaven with psychedelic guitar-pop that's alluringly out of focus
    Read Review

  24. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Beneath the isolation blues, II is buoyant and visceral enough to suffuse its existential cloud with a redemptive joie de vivre
    Read Review

  25. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    First time out, Unknown Mortal Orchestra hit the right groove with their fuzzy, nostalgic wig-outs and there’s really little change for the second album
    Read Review

  26. 6.0 |   The Observer

    There are longueurs where Nielson can get a little vague and inward-directed. Unknown Mortal's secret weapon, though, is a kind of fried funk that grounds even Nielson's most whimsical passages
    Read Review

  27. 6.0 |   Q

    A murkily enveloping record, but one that occasionally misses its predecessor's gonzo sense of fun. Print edition only

  28. 6.0 |   Art Rocker

    They have been able to broaden their sound if only ever so slightly
    Read Review

  29. 6.0 |   State

    It’s far from fulfilling their potential – instead a semi-consistent LP of extravagantly endearing psychedelic-soul and sturdily put-together lo-fi rock
    Read Review


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Hear it

Preview & download it

Unknown Mortal Orchestra: II

  • Download full album for just £8.99
  • 1. From The Sun £0.99
  • 2. Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) £0.99
  • 3. So Good at Being in Trouble £0.99
  • 4. One at a Time £0.99
  • 5. The Opposite of Afternoon £0.99
  • 6. No Need for a Leader £0.99
  • 7. Monki £0.99
  • 8. Dawn £0.99
  • 9. Faded In The Morning £0.99
  • 10. Secret Xtians £0.99
  • 11. Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark) £0.99
  • 12. Faded In the Morning £0.99
  • 13. So Good At Being In Trouble £0.99
  • 14. Swing Lo Magellan £0.99
  • 15. Puttin It Down £0.99
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

More reviews