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10.0
81134
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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10.0
81410
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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9.0
81334
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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8.5
81277
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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8.0
81135
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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8.0
81136
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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8.0
81141
8.0 |
Q
It’s good to hear Berninger buoyed by the pop tones of the title track. . Print edition only
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8.0
81366
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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8.0
81369
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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8.0
81377
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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8.0
81384
8.0 |
The Guardian
Berninger in particular sounds liberated from the weight of his day job
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8.0
81469
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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8.0
81730
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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8.0
81317
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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7.0
81507
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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7.0
81394
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
National frontman cuts loose, gets personal with a side project that feels like a solo showcase
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7.0
81401
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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7.0
81142
7.0 |
Uncut
Fully realised and offers plenty of intrigue
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7.0
81265
7.0 |
The Music
EL VY is a worthy diversion
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7.0
81305
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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6.0
81215
6.0 |
Mojo
Can seem too dense a construct to penetrate. Print edition only
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6.0
81217
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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6.0
81453
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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5.8
81591
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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5.0
81302
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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5.0
81901
5.0 |
PopMatters
Even at their best, EL VY just leave you wishing that you could have had more
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4.8
81459
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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