Anxiety - Autre Ne Veut
Anxiety Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release from Arthur Ashin was influenced by the music of such artists as Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Annie Lennox, Katy Perry, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Rihanna.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Mar 1, 2013
    100
    The lack of vanity, the frank way it strives for accessibility only serves to further magnify the greatness of Anxiety. It does the most ideal thing art can do: it tries to make sense of life itself, without pretense or guile.
  2. 80
    Ashin raises the bar. He relinquishes his inhibitions on Anxiety, an R&B diamond in the dense, desultory rough.
  3. Mar 4, 2013
    80
    With all its messy emotions, unfiltered memories and contradicting revelations, Anxiety shows that it’s not only possible to write a self-conscious record without the protective shield of anonymity, it can be just as thrilling.
  4. Feb 28, 2013
    60
    The best of these songs, by a long ways, is "Counting." [...] Yet elsewhere, Ashin sounds like he's treading water, emoting floridly but to no real purpose over shiny, surface-y arrangements.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. Since the first playthrough of this album a few days ago, I haven't been able to stop listening. What Arthur Ashin lacks in powerful open-throat vocals he makes up for with inventive bellowing riffs and the rare case of overproduction being a compliment. Almost every song has an element which makes it stand out and keeps you coming back for more. If anything, the fact Arthur isn't the best singer but can still approximate the notes he's going for only adds to the inspiring vulnerability he puts on display. He is opening his heart and daring you not to open yours in return. To be fair, I'd normally give this album a 9/10 but am trying to offset the completely unreasonable Zeros some folks have given this. I mean jeez, even if you can't stand the vocals, you give a Zero to stuff like Metallica and Lou Reed's 'Lulu,' not something that's got actual talent and intrigue involved like 'Anxiety.' Expand
  2. This album is absolutely fantastic! I give this a 10 for the absolutely brilliant production and songwriting–flawless avant-pop! The highlighthts for me are the songs "Play by Play", "Gonna Die", "World War", and "A Lie"...buy this album ASAP! Expand
  3. An awesome pop album, his voice is amazing, and his lyrics feel genuine. The 20/20 Experience is getting all the attention that this deserves. One of the best RnB albums to come along in a while. Can't wait to hear what he does next. Expand
  4. Worse than mediocre faux-80s pop punctuated by ear-splittingly shrill noises for no particular reason. What is the point of any of this? Neither the songwriting nor the production are impressive. Expand

See all 9 User Reviews