Anxiety - Autre Ne Veut
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 3 out of 29

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  1. williamplong
    Feb 26, 2013
    10
    This album is absolutely fantastic! I give this a 10 for the absolutely brilliant production and songwriting–flawless avant-pop! The highlights for me are the songs "Play by Play", "Gonna Die", "World War", and "A Lie"...buy this album ASAP!
  2. Critikill
    Mar 1, 2013
    10
    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
  3. guezelkuecuek
    Mar 4, 2013
    10
    This album is arguably sonically complex. Layers of heavily (verging on over) produced melodies, effects and words collide together. Messy, striking waves crash, pulsate and breathe through every moment of this album. There is almost always something going on, something to take your attention. It shouldn't work. it should be an overproduced mess. It should be a pulpy, sticky primordial paste of an album with stretches of dull, bleak soundscapes punctuated by the odd crescendo that we have come to associate with modern pop music. But it does work. It works superbly. Because beneath the gloss and the layered production there is heart. This album is like a fine novel covered in a cellophane wrapper that at times bursts out and steals the stage, and with it; the listener's heart and soul. There are times in which all the craziness stops. All of the play-acting. All the masks are dropped and something rises from the ashes like a giant pheonix-cum-robot overlord straight from Transformers. Anxiety crafts a fortress of beats, melodies and synthetic emotion then burns it all down. From the remnants of modern perfection, something brilliant in the most old fashioned way arises. This album is the Beach Boys, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, The White Stripes, Arcade Fire and everything I have ever loved about music on one LP. It may just be smokes and mirrors, but for now I may just be in love.

    However, I could write this pseudo intellectual twaddle for ages. I could do my best Pitchfork impression by telling you about my life and why this album is so important. I won't waste any of your time doing so. Just remember this: this album is a comfort blanket. It is your mum. It is where you go after a hard day. It's where you go after a good day. It's where you go when all hope is lost. It's where your battles have been fought. It's there, a warm, beautiful, orgasmic comfort blanket made from the best heroin anyone has ever mainlined. It's every joyous emotion you've ever experienced condensed into one. It's, for me, the best album ever made. DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY OPINION, AND EXPRESSES MY TASTES. IT'S PROBABLY WRONG TO LOVE THIS ALBUM LIKE I DO, BUT THIS REVIEW IS BEREFT OF ANY IRONY AND IS SINCERE. IT WAS WRITTEN TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO LISTEN TO THIS MASTERPIECE.    … Expand
  4. aba1258
    Mar 1, 2013
    10
    Flawless production, flawless vocals, catchy choruses, what more can you ask for? It's one of 2013 definitive records for sure. Highly recommended!!!!
  5. tattoosteve
    Feb 26, 2013
    10
    This is the sexiest, queerest, weirdest album I've ever heard! And it's danceable! It's overall amaaaazing! Everything about it! The only thing I would change is maybe less effects on the vox. JUST KIDDING.
  6. Rubyglass
    Feb 28, 2013
    0
    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.
  7. UglyWhiteKid
    Feb 26, 2013
    9
    A brilliant piece of work! It showcases Autre Ne Veut's impressive vocals and seductive lyrics to a fabulous extent. Backed by flawless production, this album is a sonic treat and sexily kaleidoscopic.
  8. harawi
    Feb 28, 2013
    0
    What an irritating record. So much that it would be irritating to write a review about it. Typical indie overglorification of white boy mediocrity. Get it together, Pitchfork.
  9. MarcusMarcus
    Apr 10, 2013
    8
    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.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Resident Advisor
    Apr 2, 2013
    70
    Many of the songs feel like they're improvised by someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of vocal pop music.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Mar 15, 2013
    75
    Anxiety is the rare electro-pop album that's wholly synthetic, but plays without a hint of icy artificiality. [No. 96, p.53]
  3. This Is Fake DIY
    Mar 5, 2013
    70
    This is an album of climaxes and cathartic streams of consciousness, but an album listenable from start to finish.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »