Albums to watch

Understated

Edwyn Collins

Understated

Second album since his remarkable recovery from illness from the indie legend and former Orange Juice frontman

ADM rating[?]

7.5

Label
Aed
UK Release date
25/03/2013
US Release date
16/04/2013
  1. 9.0 |   The Quietus

    A life-affirming album in the strongest sense
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  2. 8.5 |   BBC

    He marries his art-rock past to classic and country soul in elevating, jangle-heavy high definition
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  3. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Underlines Collins' enduring talent. Print edition only

  4. 8.0 |   The 405

    Whilst it is, for the most part, a sincere album about the small, good things in life, there's a good amount of bite as well
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  5. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    Collins is more vibrant, aggressive and urgent than he has been for over a decade, and all the healthier for it
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  6. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Collins merges his trademark eyebrows-raised approach with some of his best melodies in decades
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  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Collins twists his Motown and the Velvet Underground influences into songs that celebrate his extended life and the healing power of music
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  8. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    A driven and focused collection of the somewhat timeless, shimmering yet scuzzy glam-indie
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  9. 8.0 |   Q

    A great album. Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |   Clash

    The overriding sense is one of vitality and lust for life
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  11. 8.0 |   The Scotsman

    Writing as well as he ever did
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  12. 8.0 |   All Music

    Wonderful album that shows that Collins is truly back in command of his art
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  13. 8.0 |   God Is In The TV

    It will make you smile, it may even make you cry, and its an album that reminds you how good it is to be alive
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  14. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    A rare and beautiful record- one that is made all the more special for the fact that it was almost never written at all
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  15. 8.0 |   Under The Radar

    It's a celebration of life by a craftsman intelligent enough to know how to pitch it perfectly
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  16. 7.0 |   Sputnik Music (staff)

    He may be understated, but he must never be underestimated
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  17. 7.0 |   NME

    Lyrically empathetic, musically emphatic
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  18. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Its quiet determination strikes a dramatic enough minor chord
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  19. 6.8 |   Pitchfork

    Understated feels like a course-setter for how things are going to be in Collins' career from this point onward
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  20. 6.0 |   Art Rocker

    Whilst Collins stays true to his guitar-driven pop for the most part, and there’s the occasional lack of ‘edge’, there’s real diversity that often only the most artistic of musicians can achieve
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  21. 6.0 |   The Independent

    It's ironic that soul music dominates, given Collins' lack of its most crucial element: a commanding vocal presence.
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  22. 6.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Everything you could hope for from a new Edwyn Collins LP – the sound of a man on the mend
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  23. 6.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Throughout, we get a wounded and fragile man setting his hope-filled heart to music. Life-affirming
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