Apocalypse
by Thundercat
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    Sep 5, 2013
    90
    Bruner has elevated his game into something worth noting and more importantly, worth following.
  2. Magnet
    Jul 17, 2013
    75
    The new Apocalypse is leaner and funkier than the more jazzy and sprawling Golden Age Of Apocalypse. [No. 100, p.59]
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  3. Uncut
    Jul 10, 2013
    70
    The knotty, punky, Squarepusher-style edges of its predecessor have been smoothed down, with a little too much perfumed whimsy in the mix. [Aug 2013, p.77]
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  5. Mojo
    Jul 10, 2013
    80
    Apocalypse is a multi-storied cosmic rollercoaster that asks the big questions while relocating hip hop on the astral plane. No mean feat. [Aug 2013, p.88]
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  6. Q Magazine
    Jul 10, 2013
    80
    A dazzling alloy of vintage progressive jazz and synthetic digital funk fired by unashamedly cosmic aspiration. [Aug 2013, p.106]
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  7. AllMusic
    Jul 8, 2013
    90
    Denser and fathoms deeper, this is some kind of leap.
  8. The Guardian
    Jul 8, 2013
    80
    On this collection of futurised soul and funk, Bruner shows skills as a songwriter too.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 8, 2013
    85
    Immerse yourself, revisit, peel back the layers and thoroughly dissect Thundercat’s artistry before reconstructing it again--you’ll find one of the year’s finest experimental pop albu
  10. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 8, 2013
    86
    There’s a wealth of sonic variety on display but the concise run-time--clocking in at a fraction over 40 minutes--keeps matters focused and thoroughly engaging.
  11. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 24, 2013
    70
    Though occasionally too florid, this bass cat’s on the path to majesty.
  12. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 21, 2013
    90
    Apocalypse is very literally a rewarding and difficult second album, with its roots in tragedy and loss and its furthermost fronds in hope and moving forward, an album that challenges listeners with an incredible level of subtlety, hidden depths and wash of openly expressed emotion.
  13. Rolling Stone
    Jun 18, 2013
    70
    It's a bash-up of prog-rock, electronica and funk, in descending order of influence, and Bruner conjoins all of them to create a drifting, happily disorienting otherworld.
  14. Clash Music
    Jun 14, 2013
    80
    While he’ll probably never eclipse the flaming star that is label boss FlyLo’s reputation, Bruner here shows that he’s both his collaborator and peer, fusing a multi-genre musical mentality with a brilliantly sharp edge of accessibility.
  15. Consequence
    Jun 11, 2013
    80
    Thundercat’s advancements on Apocalypse reconfigure the foundation that his debut album built.
  16. The New York Times
    Jun 10, 2013
    90
    Apocalypse is bolder and clearer, less blissed-out and more grippingly immediate than [2011's The Golden Age of Apocalypse].
  17. Pitchfork
    Jun 7, 2013
    82
    What comes up as a whole is this odd but endearing blend of plainspoken nonchalance and almost limitless musical eccentricity.
  18. Exclaim
    Jun 4, 2013
    80
    The album's winning touches come from Bruner's soulful vocal melodies. They're a calming element tying each of the record's varied creative efforts together beautifully.
  19. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jun 3, 2013
    80
    The weird, aquatic-sounding requiems are getting better all the time.
  20. The Fly (UK)
    Jun 3, 2013
    70
    These songs are all excellent, and if the album had maintained that level of consistency it might have shaded into genius, but sadly the rest falls short, frequently lapsing into a pleasant but slight flexing of Thundercat’s considerable chops.
  21. musicOMH.com
    Jun 3, 2013
    90
    This album is the full realisation of his talent as a bass player, musician and, most importantly, a songwriter. Apocalypse is, in short, a supreme triumph.
  22. NOW Magazine
    Jun 3, 2013
    80
    If neither the lyrics nor bass lines break your heart, you might not have one.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Album of 2013
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Andremax
    Jul 12, 2018
    9
    The most versatile Thundercat album, mixing organic and electronic with maestry. Creativity, daring, musicality, groove and virtuosity makesThe most versatile Thundercat album, mixing organic and electronic with maestry. Creativity, daring, musicality, groove and virtuosity makes presence start to end.… Full Review »
  2. CiphirSol
    Dec 3, 2014
    10
    Thundercat AKA Stephen Bruner is a longtime session musician who I believe is just now coming into his own and getting the attention heThundercat AKA Stephen Bruner is a longtime session musician who I believe is just now coming into his own and getting the attention he deserves. Fantastic album for studying, writing or otherwise doing something creative. It can fade into the background just as well as it can jump out and grab you.… Full Review »
  3. tequileros97
    Sep 22, 2013
    5
    This album doesn't feel as great as The Age of Apocalypse. His singing on most of his songs seem worse than on his previous album. There wereThis album doesn't feel as great as The Age of Apocalypse. His singing on most of his songs seem worse than on his previous album. There were only a small handful of tracks I enjoyed, like the closing track A Message for Austin. I would recommend listening to his first album before you check out this one.… Full Review »
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