Albums to watch

Vestiges & Claws

José González

Vestiges & Claws

The Swedish singer-songwriter's first album in nearly eight years consists solely of original material, a first

ADM rating[?]

6.9

Label
Peacefrog
UK Release date
16/02/2015
US Release date
17/02/2015
  1. 9.0 |   All Music

    An arresting, uplifting joy
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  2. 8.4 |   Earbuddy

    Listen to Vestiges and Claws in the background, or make it the forefront of your playlist for that day. Either way, González delivers the sound you need
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  3. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    Assessed independently, Vestiges & Claws’ progressions may be modest, but its adjustments cohere into a record of uncommonly evocative capacity
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  4. 8.0 |   Q

    Graceful and elliptical songwriting. Print edition only

  5. 8.0 |   The Music

    You can feel the rawness in each track, making for a wonderfully intimate listen
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  6. 8.0 |   NME

    Littered with painstakingly layered guitar parts, mellifluous melodies and clapping drumbeats
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  7. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    He now has another collection of equally beautiful songs that are fine company on a quiet night
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  8. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    With Vestiges & Claws, he is embracing his own style, his musical expertise, his lyrical prowess
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  9. 7.7 |   Paste Magazine

    May wander close to guitar-based, folk-rock homogeny, González’s musings offer a cerebral reminder to enjoy figuring out what it all means
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  10. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Despite taking a smaller look at the universe, this is actually his densest solo work yet
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  11. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    His vocals are never strong on their own, but they encourage and build within the listener in the context of these songs
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  12. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Timelessly scented, you can almost smell the joss sticks. Print edition only

  13. 7.0 |   Spin

    Age has certainly emboldened González as a producer. Branching out from his minimalist roots, he experiments more
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  14. 6.6 |   Pitchfork

    Though González’s music is pastoral in timbre and placid in pace, his songs ask big questions
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  15. 6.0 |   Mojo

    When Gonzalez hits his meditative stride - Every Age's there-is-a-season stateliness, the post-rock smudges of What Will - he owns the room. Print edition only

  16. 6.0 |   The Irish Times

    There’s a certain comfort in familiarity, but this perfectly pleasant album blends into the background just a little too effortlessly
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  17. 6.0 |   The Digital Fix

    González's unassuming talent is likely to creep up on you when you least expect it, its muted magic meandering into your dreams
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  18. 6.0 |   DIY

    One of the most consistent figures in modern folk
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  19. 6.0 |   The 405

    It represents the first time that he has lost the emotional power that has previously made him so much more than just a man with a guitar
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  20. 6.0 |   musicOMH

    González continues to tweak his original formula on Vestiges & Claws, but does so in such a way that it still retains the uncomplicated honesty that is embedded in his music
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  21. 6.0 |   Under The Radar

    Vestiges and Claws is a succinct evolution for José González and his solo work, an album that promises much more for the next stage of his career
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  22. 5.0 |   God Is In The TV

    It’s actually quite agreeable in a funny kind of way but about as exciting as plain muesli
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  23. 5.0 |   No Ripcord

    Instead of coming equipped with an arsenal of ideas, gathered from many years of experience, he lapses into a confusional state that’s often misinterpreted as deep or contemplative
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José González: Vestiges & Claws

  • Download full album for just £7.49
  • 1. With The Ink Of A Ghost £0.79
  • 2. Let It Carry You £0.79
  • 3. Stories We Build, Stories We Tell £0.79
  • 4. The Forest £0.79
  • 5. Leaf Off / The Cave £0.79
  • 6. Every Age £0.79
  • 7. What Will £0.79
  • 8. Vissel £0.79
  • 9. Afterglow £0.79
  • 10. Open Book £0.79
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