Half-Light

Rostam

Half-Light

Debut solo release from the former Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmanglij

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Nonesuch
UK Release date
15/09/2017
US Release date
15/09/2017
  1. 8.3 |   Consequence Of Sound

    The former Vampire Weekend member releases a quiet revelation showcasing his talents
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  2. 8.3 |   A.V. Club

    It’s tremendously layered and fussy, but also sweet and light. It’s a hell of a start for a guy who’s been doing it forever
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  3. 8.3 |   Pretty Much Amazing

    A stunning debut marked by his signature musicality, clever lyrics, and an appeal to the love and humanity in each of us
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  4. 8.0 |   State

    Rostam has finally taken the reins of artistic control, and he runs free with it
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  5. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    Half-Light is incredibly rich and varied, from the Christmassy choir of Sumer to the Bollywood strings of Wood and the relaxed reggae feel of Rudy
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  6. 8.0 |   Q

    It feels like a step into a brave new world. Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Batmanglij has a boyish, intimate tenor, charming when not overdoing the breathy, verge-of-a-giggle delivery. Ultimately, though, it's the gorgeously inventive tracks that steal the show
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  8. 7.5 |   Spectrum Culture

    An enjoyable extension of and evolution in Rostam’s creative process
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  9. 7.4 |   Paste Magazine

    Longing and heartbreak are universal themes, but what Rostam does is make them accessible, thought-provoking in an artful manner that will serve him well in as he navigates his solo career
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  10. 7.2 |   Earbuddy

    For some people, this will still be good enough, and some may even hail Half-Light as great. However, I don’t think this is Rostam’s definitive statement just yet.
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  11. 7.2 |   Pitchfork

    The intimate, elliptical solo debut from producer and former Vampire Weekender gorgeously traces the stories and sounds of his past
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  12. 7.0 |   Under The Radar

    A brave, challenging, and infectious debut, sometimes falling short, and other times achieving grand things
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  13. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Batmanglij has established his own voice, independent of both his old group and his production work - now to develop it
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  14. 7.0 |   Exclaim

    Makes it apparent just how much of what was captivating about Vampire Weekend came from Batmanglij
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  15. 7.0 |   Loud And Quiet

    This album may make you think of cold night, it’s but a warm hearted collection
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  16. 6.8 |   Gig Soup

    Despite its outlandish weirdness, ‘Half-Light’ is an album that can be enjoyed with the right amount of patience. It won’t be your guilty pleasure, but it’s far from innocent
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  17. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Affairs of the heart dominate Batmanglij's lyrics which, when combined with his unfeasibly Christmassy production across all 15 tracks, tends to leave the listener gasping for air. Print edition only

  18. 6.0 |   NME

    Rostam may have defined Vampire Weekend’s sound, but with ‘Half-Light’ he begins to define himself
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  19. 6.0 |   musicOMH

    A good introduction to the solo sound of Rostam Batmanglij
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