Albums to watch

Born In The Echoes

The Chemical Brothers

Born In The Echoes

Eighth studio album from the British electronic duo, featuring a guest appearance from Annie Clark (St. Vincent)

ADM rating[?]

6.9

Label
Virgin EMI
UK Release date
17/07/2015
US Release date
17/07/2015
  1. 8.5 |   The Quietus

    Another example of Rowlands and Simons' magic way of making machines sing
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  2. 8.0 |   The Arts Desk

    The Chemical Brothers began their career hooked hard into indie culture but, as they developed, they’ve become more flavoured by techno
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  3. 8.0 |   Under The Radar

    Born in the Echoes has five voices, but it is The Chemical Brothers' borrowing of landmark sounds from their own library that is the album's biggest strength
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  4. 8.0 |   Time Out

    And at a time when dancefloor bangers are ten-a-penny, it’s a pleasure to hear the Chemical Brothers shed some light on the roots of the artform
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  5. 8.0 |   Clash

    Chemical Brothers continue to buck any notions of a creative burn-out with their strongest release in a decade
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  6. 8.0 |   The List

    More of the same but new every time
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  7. 8.0 |   NME

    A bold reinvention of the Chemical Brothers’ sound, pushing the late-period renaissance that 'Further' heralded to somewhere dark and twisted
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  8. 8.0 |   The FT

    Facing an uncertain future together, Rowlands and Simons have conjured a powerful reminder of their past with Born in the Echoes
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  9. 8.0 |   Mojo

    A thunderous reminder that when they are on their game they're spectacular
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  10. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Old ravers will dig this record, but they won’t be the only ones relishing what they hear in these echoes
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  11. 8.0 |   The Observer

    The Chemicals could have cashed into the scene they helped create. Instead, they are crashing around, making a racket. That’s a little victory
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  12. 8.0 |   Digital Spy

    Takes heed of its title and is, overall, an updated reverberation of The Chemical Brothers' earlier work. There's nothing truly radical here, but that's not to diminish the record
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  13. 7.8 |   Pitchfork

    Part of a fast-moving culture always looking for the next high, the Chemical Brothers remain steadfast—eyeing the past and future while living in the here and now
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  14. 7.5 |   Consequence Of Sound

    Whether they intended it or not, Born in the Echoes is an iron-clad musical statement from one of dance music’s most enduring exports
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  15. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Continues their fusing of psychedelic head music with the dancefloor, and while it doesn’t break new ground, it’s a timely smack on the nose to the pretenders to their throne
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  16. 7.0 |   Spectrum Culture

    The Chems’ new album showcases how the duo continues to do things their own way
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  17. 7.0 |   Gig Soup

    This album continues to show obvious songwriting progress and its content is as relevant as Dig Your Own Hole and Exit Planet Dust were back in 1997 and 1995 respectively
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  18. 7.0 |   PopMatters

    The legendary electronic duo modernize the roots of house and techno music on their first studio album in five years
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  19. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    Does not reveal anything startlingly new about The Chemical Brothers, but it is more than them simply ticking over, and clearly they have an eye on the future
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  20. 7.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    A well-sequenced, diverse collection of songs that emphasize their skill as pop producers as well as their rewarding impatience as composers
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  21. 6.0 |   Beardfood

    It's a weird concoction and doesn't make for a coherent listen
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  22. 6.0 |   Resident Advisor

    It's no blaze of glory, but if this is in fact their final album, it's not a bad way to go out
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  23. 6.0 |   State

    There might be enough here to state that this a good album, but there isn’t enough to call it a great one
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  24. 6.0 |   Evening Standard

    There are hints of the power of previous glories on Radiate and the brassy Reflexion, but it’s not quite enough
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  25. 6.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Born in the Echoes isn’t the sound of stagnation, nor the grim realisation of irrelevance, and there are numerous flourishes that can only come from a knowing skill set, but in the end, it’s only just good enough
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  26. 6.0 |   Exclaim

    Die-hard fans will — and probably should — give it a few listens, but it seems unlikely that anyone's going to have this album on repeat for the summer
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  27. 6.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Tracks that could've torched an outdoor rave in 1995
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  28. 6.0 |   Spin

    Misfires aside, it’s tough to dispute that although Born in the Echoes may not be a great album, it is generally a competent one
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  29. 6.0 |   The Music

    If the most powerful facet of The Chemical Brothers’ template is smartly chosen collaborators, finishing with Beck on Wide Open is a masterstroke
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  30. 6.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Hedging all bets, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons have recruited a wider range of collaborators for their new album, Born in the Echoes, than ever before
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  31. 6.0 |   Q

    Mostly Born In The Echoes is a blast, just that sometimes it is a blast from the past. Print edition only

  32. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Genuine block-rocking thrills are scant. Print edition only

  33. 4.0 |   The Guardian

    It’s all very sturdy and well made, much like the Mondeos it will mostly be played in
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  34. 4.0 |   NOW

    A sense of mood or inner life is glimpsed. But by that point, it just seems like an echo of past glories
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The Chemical Brothers: Born In The Echoes

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Sometimes I Feel So Deserted £0.99
  • 2. Go £0.99
  • 3. Under Neon Lights £0.99
  • 4. EML Ritual £0.99
  • 5. I'll See You There £0.99
  • 6. Just Bang £0.99
  • 7. Reflexion £0.99
  • 8. Taste Of Honey £0.99
  • 9. Born In The Echoes £0.99
  • 10. Radiate £0.99
  • 11. Wide Open £0.99
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