Alpha Zulu
by Phoenix
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
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  1. ClarkyCat
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    This is a huge return to form for Phoenix! Feels like the combination of all their greatest skills as songwriters and producers coming together here just when we needed them the most. Standouts for me were Winter Solstice, Tonight, After Midnight, The Only One.
  2. TheedmondX
    Nov 7, 2022
    10
    Por mucho su mejor álbum, superando al mismo que ganó el Grammy en 2010.

    Fácil de escuchar, muy dance, entretenido y consistente en su estilo, sin caer en coros cliché o ser predecible
  3. Thejaywhip
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    Might possibly be their best cd yet and that’s saying something. Every song has something unique and interesting. You can play it all the way through without a skip. Incredible album.
  4. Bitmouse
    Mar 6, 2023
    0
    I would never have heard the title track of this album if it weren't for my gym's need to commit acoustic torture during business hours. Warcrimes. I get to hear lots of trashy pop music.

    I don't know how music this dorky gets heard outside of a handful of people. Friends, family, the casualties that happen to have ventured into the coffee shop during that open mic night. That sort of    I would never have heard the title track of this album if it weren't for my gym's need to commit acoustic torture during business hours. Warcrimes. I get to hear lots of trashy pop music.

    I don't know how music this dorky gets heard outside of a handful of people. Friends, family, the casualties that happen to have ventured into the coffee shop during that open mic night. That sort of thing.

    Perhaps this is why people abandon the music industry, even as consumers, like rats abandoning a sinking ship. Trashy business people make poor artistic decisions. They aren't developed enough as humans to make anything most others want, but they are sleazy enough to profit off of it.

    This song is the intersection of our culture's spiraling pop art, a dying music industry, and the fact that you can profit by appealing to the lowest common denominator.    … Expand
  5. bertobellamy
    Nov 4, 2022
    6
    "Tonight" must be up there with Phoenix's best songs, but the rest of the album is not that exciting. Sounds as if the band just had the obligation to make new music.
  6. jimlefferts
    Nov 26, 2022
    10
    Do yourself a favor and give this album a few spins. It's an inspired pop masterpiece from an outstanding band at the top of their game.
  7. AncientAmber
    Nov 5, 2022
    7
    Not as good as Wolfgang. Still a good listen though not as colourful as their classic.
  8. jens76
    Nov 8, 2022
    6
    Ich liebe die Spatzen, ich lebe für die Spatzen. Die Songs werden geträllert, man denkt, die Band wäre eingespielt und sie für sie geschrieben.
  9. folk_lore
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    meu Deus é a banda do milênio avisaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  10. softdrinks77
    Nov 4, 2022
    10
    I was genuinely surprised at how great this album is. Despite it being fairly short, it is packed with very impressive songs (especially Tonight and Season 2). This is definitely a strong return for Phoenix.
  11. jcrdzin1
    Nov 5, 2022
    9
    Great, solid and enjoyable album. It didn't (positively) surprise me as much as Ti Amo (with it's awesome 80's Italian pop influence and thematic); but it is a very very good work. Tonight is among their Top 3 songs ever, but many more are outstanding (the new version of Identical blew my mind). I give them 9/10 because it's too damn short... only 35 min of amazing music is not enough.Great, solid and enjoyable album. It didn't (positively) surprise me as much as Ti Amo (with it's awesome 80's Italian pop influence and thematic); but it is a very very good work. Tonight is among their Top 3 songs ever, but many more are outstanding (the new version of Identical blew my mind). I give them 9/10 because it's too damn short... only 35 min of amazing music is not enough. Can't wait to see them live in Berlin in ~2 weeks. … Expand
  12. spicyfusilli
    Nov 8, 2022
    10
    Fantastic new effort from Phoenix. Some of the best songs the band have written - Artefact is a favorite.
  13. aledelf
    Jun 23, 2023
    8
    After all of those years without hearing from them it´s awesome to know that it is a great record, takes indie songs to a new level and makes us feel comfortable with the songs. It´s like they knew what they were doing on the biggest part of the record, that are some mistakes like some medium pop songs, but it doesn´t make the record worse, it´s a great record

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Album of 2022
63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Under The Radar
    Dec 13, 2022
    80
    Alpha Zulu proves that while they may play with novel sounds and textures, Phoenix are in no danger of losing their melodic instincts and effortless indie-pop sensibilities.
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  2. Uncut
    Nov 15, 2022
    80
    The band continues to elevate themselves into one of the country's finest pop exports. [Jan 2023, p.23]
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Nov 14, 2022
    61
    This is a batch of super simple songs, with super simple melodies, and super simple lyricism. At this point in their career it seems like there isn’t much else to expect from them.
    Read full review
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