Anthems for Doomed Youth
by The Libertines
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Sep 11, 2015
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
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  1. Magnet
    Sep 22, 2015
    90
    Their [Doherty and Barat's] boyish charms are punctuated by sneers and jeers, leaving the listener clueless as to who ends where the other begins. That sort of daft mystery makes Anthems--and the Libertines in general--worth its weight in dope and gold. [No. 124, p.58]
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  2. American Songwriter
    Sep 11, 2015
    80
    With the buzz silenced and the rag headlines but a thing of the past, it’s encouraging to see that The Libertines have lost none of what made them worth the hype in the first place.
  3. Exclaim
    Sep 10, 2015
    80
    Not every song on the record lives up to the anthemic nature promised in the title, but there are certainly moments of triumphant redemption and plenty of nostalgic nods to fulfill fans' understandably high expectations.
  5. The Guardian
    Sep 10, 2015
    80
    Anthems for Doomed Youth isn’t perfect, but it succeeds in redressing the balance, reminding you that before Doherty became an embarrassing red-top fixture, he and Barât were genuinely great songwriters with a uniquely skewed vision.
  6. Clash Music
    Sep 9, 2015
    80
    Anthems For Doomed Youth will bring more joy to the fans than the naysayers may suspect.
  7. musicOMH.com
    Sep 8, 2015
    80
    It won’t be for everyone and there will be those who continue to look at Pete and Carl’s relationship with utter bemusement, but their songwriting prowess has ensured that the decade-long wait between albums has been more than worth it.
  8. Mojo
    Aug 31, 2015
    80
    There are several instant classics here. [Oct 2015, p.94]
  9. Uncut
    Aug 31, 2015
    80
    A career peak. [Oct 2015, p.78]
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  10. Pitchfork
    Sep 8, 2015
    77
    There's no romance in the songs where the duo confront their demons (Barât has also struggled with addiction and depression), but they're still full of fight.
  11. Under The Radar
    Nov 2, 2015
    75
    Anthems for Doomed Youth proves conclusively that they are somehow still standing. Drunkenly swaying and swaggering, but still standing proud and tall.
  12. Pretty Much Amazing
    Sep 11, 2015
    75
    It’s been well over a decade since Julian Casablancas & Co. have released an album as taut and wasted and sexy as Anthems for Doomed Youth.
  13. PopMatters
    Sep 30, 2015
    70
    Anthems for Doomed Youth does what it needs to do by re-establishing the band, but longevity may depend on keeping the personal drama to a minimum, and instead confining it to the music. However in the present, Anthems for Doomed Youth is an enjoyable overload of charisma.
  14. AllMusic
    Sep 14, 2015
    70
    It's as authentic a return as a fan could ask for, and works equally well as a final chapter in the band's story or a new one.
  15. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 8, 2015
    70
    A solid, quality record with atmosphere and character in spades that proves its creators as an active and current force.
  16. Rolling Stone
    Sep 4, 2015
    70
    With those days behind them, the Libs have returned for their first LP since 2004, full of sharp garage slop, glam anthems, Waterloo sunburn and loads of references to their collapse.
  17. Classic Rock Magazine
    Sep 3, 2015
    70
    A clutch of fine torch songs (Iceman, Dead For Love, the title track) save the day, suaveness replacing the sordid sweat of old. Their youth was doomed, but their adulthood shows promise.
  18. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 3, 2015
    70
    While the music may not always match up, the lyrics reaffirm The Libertines’ place as one of the most vital British bands ever and should usher a fresh generation of believers on board the good ship Albion.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. JaiSingh0022
    Sep 11, 2015
    10
    Brilliant album. Absolutely loved it. Although it is a little more polished and ballad-centered than their old stuff, its still a great albumBrilliant album. Absolutely loved it. Although it is a little more polished and ballad-centered than their old stuff, its still a great album and very catchy.… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Mar 5, 2016
    8
    Their debut, "Up the Bracket" somehow managed to bottle lightning, capturing the bands untamed energy as they exploded onto the scene. AmidTheir debut, "Up the Bracket" somehow managed to bottle lightning, capturing the bands untamed energy as they exploded onto the scene. Amid complete implosion, The Libertines somehow managed to salvage enough material to produce an excellent self titled follow up but by the time it was released, the band was pretty much already dead. The spark caught on and caused a wildfire but burned itself out as quickly as it came. A number of solo efforts and side projects emanated from the wreckage of the band and even during the successful 2010 reunion shows, a third album never looked likely. Yet here we have it, album number 3 from The Libertines. As a fan from their original era I remembered the band with fondness but had little appetite for a new album in 2015. Still, I got my hands on copy for old times sake. The results, while unspectacular, are definitely pleasing. There are a handful of belters on show, opener "Barbarians", lead single "Gunga Din", "Your My Waterloo", "Belly of the Beast", "Heart of the Matter" are all tracks you can see remaining in the bands live shows going forward. On the other side of things, there are also a few forgettable items. "Fame and Fortune" should never have gotten near the final cut of the album while "Glasgow Coma Scale Blues" and "Fury of Chonburi", two tracks that come along later in the album just sound like the band are trying to force their early day sound into a modern setting. All in all "Anthems for Doomed Youth" is a success and most original Libs fans should enjoy it well enough.… Full Review »
  3. ArionXenos
    Sep 16, 2015
    9
    If 'Anthems for Doomed Youth' had come out a year or two after their self-titled second album it would not have seemed out of place; the bandIf 'Anthems for Doomed Youth' had come out a year or two after their self-titled second album it would not have seemed out of place; the band have continued their accomplished sound and chemistry into this record and it has really blown me away.
    Time seems to have had no effect on the Libertines whatsoever and their songs still boast the self-unaware swagger and carelessness as before, but with an added maturity. Songs like 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' and 'Fury of Chonburi' do recall their previous album, but I feel this isn't the point of this new record, as time has been marching on and the band have changed as people and as musicians.
    The album carries a delightful momentum even through the slower songs like 'You're my Waterloo' and 'The Milkman's Horse' which makes for an enjoyable listen from start to finish. It's clear to see the increased involvement of the rhythm section in not only arrangement, but also composition; the bass and drums are more together and crisp than they've ever been, and there is a light-hearted element in the music that makes it feel like a proper Libertines album - which it is.
    At the best of times it recalls familiar pictures of London and various recollections over a backdrop of an inspired band, but at the worst of times it leaves the listener wanting more, as if some songs aren't quite finished yet.
    There is a sense that the album was recorded very quickly, and it's possible that some compromises were made in order to throw some tracks in without meticulous work. However, that's not always necessary as even though some songs can seem recycled or formulaic at times, it is clear that there is more to come whether you're listening for the first time or imagining what the band will sound like in a few years after your tenth listen.
    In all, I'm so happy that this was the album they released at this time, it could have turned out completely different and naff, but the Libertines have definitely pulled off their comeback album in predictable style while still surprising the listener with their seemingly undying energy and pool of ideas that they are so clearly eager to show us all.    … Full Review »
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