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8.0
69029
8.0 |
DIY
These are pretty, sweet, gorgeously simple songs, some not fully formed, which have come, been and gone. A bit like crushes themselves, really
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8.0
69032
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
There’s no denying the authenticity of emotion on show
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8.0
69034
8.0 |
Evening Standard
Straight from the heart and utterly addictive
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8.0
69206
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
These songs resonate with a sound of pain, loss and distant hope that never feels less than genuine
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8.0
69265
8.0 |
Beardfood
Charming is a very sought-after quality, and with Karen's experience in her other ventures, she's nailed this
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8.0
69530
8.0 |
musicOMH
The diaries readers and the diaries writers, and the broken hearted and the totally infatuated: Crush Songs has something for them all
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8.0
69643
8.0 |
The 405
This album is never afraid to speak its mind and voice its elastic relationship with love, pulled close only to be pinged apart
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8.0
72710
8.0 |
PopMatters
Not only are these songs about crushes, they feel just like one: emotionally intense, completely beautiful, and above all, fleeting
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7.0
69340
7.0 |
All Music
This unassuming musical diary showcases many of the best things about the music she makes on her own
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7.0
69116
7.0 |
NME
At times throwaway, at others raw, intimate and charming
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7.0
69140
7.0 |
The Quietus
Serves up a collection of musical vignettes that work as an amorous, understated effort that will likely be captivating for ardent fans
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7.0
69188
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
The LP has the same winsome vibe as "The Moon Song," her Oscar-nominated theme from Her
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7.0
69194
7.0 |
Paste Magazine
The album’s 15 tracks are simply blink-and-you’ll-miss-them glimpses of grander ideas
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6.0
69171
6.0 |
Drowned In Sound
More a record to crush on than fall in love with, but free it from expectations and it'll take a small part of your heart
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6.0
69035
6.0 |
The Guardian
O displays an ability to articulate raw emotion here, be it on the subject of love, loneliness or strength of will
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6.0
69036
6.0 |
The Irish Times
The vocals, at turns wistful and artfully raw, keeps the listener engaged, evolving a relationship deeper than many of those ill-fated romances
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6.0
69055
6.0 |
Uncut
It’s for fans only, but that’s where Crush Songs power lies. Print edition only
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6.0
69056
6.0 |
Q
Unadorned but not austere, fragile but not weedy. Print edition only
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6.0
69057
6.0 |
Mojo
Want to hear 15 unfinished demos, some of them very promising? Then this is for you. Print edition only
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6.0
69033
6.0 |
Exclaim
Plays like a series of short acoustic interludes
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6.0
69026
6.0 |
Clash
These songs are so threadbare that the first few listens end as one night stands rather than representing an LP you’ll be pining for in weeks to come
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5.8
69175
5.8 |
Pitchfork
Despite the rawness of these recordings and the private nature of their creation, O sounds weirdly noncommittal on Crush Songs, as though the sparse demo arrangements were a form of holding back
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5.8
69144
5.8 |
A.V. Club
Crush Songs is sad and pretty and likely to be playing at an American Apparel somewhere near you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s hardly the best work Karen O can do
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5.8
69262
5.8 |
Pretty Much Amazing
Variation is in short supply, which is the album’s chief flaw
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5.5
69028
5.5 |
Under The Radar
Less a painting than a promising sketchbook
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5.5
69234
5.5 |
Earbuddy
As a concept, Crush Songs works, but its execution leaves a lot to be desired
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5.0
69154
5.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
If anything, Crush Songs is a reminder of Karen O’s humanness, her bare bones songwriting process, and the mounds of tear-stained tissues she’s crumpled and climbed
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5.0
69027
5.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
It’s personal – perhaps too much so – in that it can be inaccessible and/or devoid of meaning outside of the immediacy of her heart
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4.0
69142
4.0 |
Slant Magazine
Boredom isn't the worst feeling an album can conjure; a sense of wasted opportunity and squandered potential is a wholly graver offense
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3.0
69534
3.0 |
No Ripcord
Given the quality of past Karen O songs like All Is Love and The Moon Song, plus her experimental, go-anywhere attitude, this is the most disappointing product she could have put out
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