Aokohio
by Why?
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
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  1. Methusalah
    Jun 25, 2020
    7
    While initially underwhelming, this album continues to grow on me. It reminds me less of a WHY album and more clouddead in its meandering exploration of sound and production. Not at all a bad album and genuinely interesting to listen to if you're willing to give it the attention it requires.
  2. CiphirSol
    Aug 15, 2019
    8
    Musically, it's a mix of dark poetry, folk, hip-hop and electronics arranged in a collage that mimics someone jumping from through memories in one space in their life to the next. My only issue is that the songs sound feel a tad underdone and "interlud-y", I'd be interested to hear more fleshed out versions but understand that in context with the visual aspect, the entire project feelsMusically, it's a mix of dark poetry, folk, hip-hop and electronics arranged in a collage that mimics someone jumping from through memories in one space in their life to the next. My only issue is that the songs sound feel a tad underdone and "interlud-y", I'd be interested to hear more fleshed out versions but understand that in context with the visual aspect, the entire project feels more complete and the visuals elevate the experience. The music alone is an 8/10, I get chills from "Peel Free" and "Stained Glass Slipper" every time, it's a solid effort from Yoni, who definitely gets props for doing something so different each and every time he puts out new art.… Expand
  3. Spassbremse
    Aug 19, 2019
    3
    i will never tell an artist what they "should" or "shouldn't" be doing. That's ridiculous and stifles creativity. I really appreciate Wolf's willingness to push his own boundaries to explore new things, it's what makes Why? so appealing year after year after year. Listening to AOKOHIO several times through however...this album just never comes together for me. There are only a handfuli will never tell an artist what they "should" or "shouldn't" be doing. That's ridiculous and stifles creativity. I really appreciate Wolf's willingness to push his own boundaries to explore new things, it's what makes Why? so appealing year after year after year. Listening to AOKOHIO several times through however...this album just never comes together for me. There are only a handful of actual songs, while the majority of the run-time is spent jumping from one incomplete lyrical/musical idea to another. I'm not sure what sort of cohesive whole Wolf was trying to make with this, but it just doesn't pull me in at all.… Expand
  4. bbyshadow
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    The main complaint will be with the conceptual nature of the album. With mini tracks and a bunch of, well weird **** interspersed throughout. But this may be both the most musically impressive and heartfelt work they have ever produced. Take your time and listen to the album straight through. You'll find it if you have 33 minutes of patience. If you can't do that, why do you care aboutThe main complaint will be with the conceptual nature of the album. With mini tracks and a bunch of, well weird **** interspersed throughout. But this may be both the most musically impressive and heartfelt work they have ever produced. Take your time and listen to the album straight through. You'll find it if you have 33 minutes of patience. If you can't do that, why do you care about music at all?… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    Sep 18, 2019
    60
    The quick changes can be jarring, but by the middle of Aokohio, the staggered flow begins to normalize and the album becomes an environment of short attention spans and choppy reflections. Rather than the sometimes-crushing statements of earlier albums, the weight of Wolf's heavy lyrics is softened by how quickly one idea blurs into the next.
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  2. PopMatters
    Sep 17, 2019
    70
    Wolf imposed some restrictions and added something new as well. Ironically though, it's reminiscent of where he came from as well, a little more shapeless and a lot more inspired.
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  3. DIY Magazine
    Aug 9, 2019
    60
    It means that AOKOHIO never quite feels as cohesive as Wolf apparently intended it to be, so it’s a good job that the album’s emotional themes do such a good job of providing a throughline and backbone instead.
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