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Return to the Moon

EL VY

Return to the Moon

First album of funky indie from the duo made up of The National's Matt Berninger and Menomena/Romona Falls' Brent Knopf

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
4AD
UK Release date
30/10/2015
US Release date
30/10/2015
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  1. 10.0 |   Gig Soup

    After repeated listens it is hard to conclude that ‘Return To The Moon’ is anything other than one of the best albums released so far this decade
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  2. 10.0 |   A.V. Club

    It’s more than just a placeholder while the next National album marinates—it stands shoulder to miserable, brilliant shoulder
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  3. 9.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    This ain’t no nostalgia trip: timeless, reflective but with its feet firmly in the now
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  4. 8.5 |   Under The Radar

    Return to the Moon is a winning project, one that enlivens the careers of both artists involved
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  5. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    Melodious and inventive, layered but not overly ornate: EL VY’s debut is too fully-formed to be dismissed as a side project
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  6. 8.0 |   DIY

    EL VY could have been many things for Matt Berninger but largely just exhibits him doing everything he does so well
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  7. 8.0 |   Q

    It’s good to hear Berninger buoyed by the pop tones of the title track. . Print edition only

  8. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    It brings forth both members’ strengths to create something that sounds like a proper polished debut from a 'real' band
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  9. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    It’s complex, witty, and - crucially - taps into a side of each man’s creativity in a manner hitherto unseen
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  10. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    This pairing drinks from a deep creative well. There’s more to come from EL VY, begging the question: Where to next?
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  11. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    Berninger in particular sounds liberated from the weight of his day job
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  12. 8.0 |   Beardfood

    The warm baritone will feel familiar to fans of The National, not lacking any of their beauty and miserableness
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  13. 8.0 |   NOW

    El Vy gives both musicians an opportunity to explore musical personalities different from those of their main gigs. Here's hoping El Vy isn't a one-off project
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  14. 8.0 |   NME

    Together, EL VY create an enthralling musical space where Matt Berninger can explore the idea of being Matt Berninger
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  15. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    There are some bright and poignant moments here but, like the majority of The National’s work, the depths of the album may take a while to become apparent
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  16. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    National frontman cuts loose, gets personal with a side project that feels like a solo showcase
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  17. 7.0 |   Exclaim

    EL VY succeed in telling the stories of true characters on Return To The Moon, using inventive beats and fresh indie rock structures to make their tales connect
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  18. 7.0 |   Uncut

    Fully realised and offers plenty of intrigue
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  19. 7.0 |   The Music

    EL VY is a worthy diversion
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  20. 7.0 |   The 405

    If this was a new band we would be blown away by some of it, but given the pedigree of the two musicians here it is hard to separate from their other work
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  21. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Can seem too dense a construct to penetrate. Print edition only

  22. 6.0 |   The FT

    The music is fully formed and lithe, its mood shifting from dreamy electro-pop to tense rock
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  23. 6.0 |   The Observer

    The appeal of this low-key grower lies in Berninger’s woebegone baritone, rubbing up against non-National music that is neither taxing nor obvious
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  24. 5.8 |   Consequence Of Sound

    There are a few flashes of genius on Return to the Moon when given a close listen, suggesting there’s still potential for a great album from the duo — they just need the strength to forget what they know
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  25. 5.0 |   Slant Magazine

    Ultimately, the lows are too low, and the highs not high enough to justify either musician returning to the collaboration anytime soon
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  26. 5.0 |   PopMatters

    Even at their best, EL VY just leave you wishing that you could have had more
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  27. 4.8 |   Pitchfork

    While there's nothing here that suggests Berninger and Knopf are truly incompatible, there's equally little evidence that Knopf's spirited arrangements are suited to Berninger's spotlight-gargling word soup
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  28. Back to main chart

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EL VY: Return to the Moon

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Return to the Moon (Political Song for Didi Bloome to Sing, with Crescendo) £0.89
  • 2. I'm the Man to Be £0.89
  • 3. Paul Is Alive £0.89
  • 4. Need a Friend £0.89
  • 5. Silent Ivy Hotel £0.89
  • 6. No Time to Crank the Sun £0.89
  • 7. It's a Game £0.89
  • 8. Sleepin' Light £0.89
  • 9. Sad Case £0.89
  • 10. Happiness, Missouri £0.89
  • 11. Careless £0.89
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