Art Angels
by Grimes
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Dec 11, 2015
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 996 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 912 out of 996
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 996
  3. Negative: 52 out of 996
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  1. thaleslucas
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    By far this is the best album that Grimes has created in her career.

    Creatively, with a great production and well-directed composition, Grimes knew how to involve and bring darkness to an alternative pop and that's wonderful. Moreover, she knew exactly how to fit the tracks in your sequence to keep simple, observant, dark and catchy at the same time. It's noteworthy amazing tracks    By far this is the best album that Grimes has created in her career.

    Creatively, with a great production and well-directed composition, Grimes knew how to involve and bring darkness to an alternative pop and that's wonderful. Moreover, she knew exactly how to fit the tracks in your sequence to keep simple, observant, dark and catchy at the same time.

    It's noteworthy amazing tracks like "REALiTi", "Venus Fly", "Butterfly" and "Kill V. Maim" which have, by far, the best plot of production and development.

    Finally, there is nothing to complain about something that's so amazing. Grimes finally arrived in a goddess level, surpassing her previous album "Visions".    … Expand
  2. kjhkjhk
    Feb 23, 2019
    10
    So complex and and the sounds are so euphoric. Most of the time the listener would have to categorize the mood of the song and associate it with a very specific frame of mind or feeling and then listen to it when only in that mode. But with Grimes the songs just blow past the listeners understanding of breadth of emotion. Each track is so beautifully composed and evokes anger aggressionSo complex and and the sounds are so euphoric. Most of the time the listener would have to categorize the mood of the song and associate it with a very specific frame of mind or feeling and then listen to it when only in that mode. But with Grimes the songs just blow past the listeners understanding of breadth of emotion. Each track is so beautifully composed and evokes anger aggression as well tranquil peace. It sounds so unfamiliar which is what brings me back to it again and again. I love the use of various instruments and the fact that she produced it all by herself?!! **** AMAZING… Expand
  3. joaofelin
    Jul 16, 2017
    10
    Laughing and Not Being Normal -
    California - 10
    Scream - 10
    Flesh Without Blood - 10
    Belly of the Beat - 10
    Kill V. Maim - 10
    Artangels - 10
    Easily - 9
    Pin - 10
    Realiti - 10
    World Princess Part II - 10
    Venus Fly - 10
    Life in the Vivid Dream -
    Butterfly - 10

    score: 9,9
  4. indiegirly
    Jan 3, 2023
    10
    This is one of my favourite albums ever because the music is so catchy and colourful. Every song just bursts with personality!
  5. stabmyface
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    This is an absolutely fantastic record and 100% recommend it to any who enjoys this type of electronic, synthpop style. All the songs are sooo catchy and perfectly placed. Laughing and Not Being Normal is an incredible, (and her best), intro, and Butterfly beautifully wraps up the album. Go buy it!
  6. Archios
    Nov 12, 2015
    10
    D.I.Y.: This is what Grimes is. For the first time in four albums, Claire accepts the reality and embrace it with so much optimism, that when you first listen to the record you will probably not recognize it as a Grimes' album. I believe that this is what she always tried to do: an album with her deepest happiest feelings, even if they are not about good experiences.
    "Art Angels" is an    D.I.Y.: This is what Grimes is. For the first time in four albums, Claire accepts the reality and embrace it with so much optimism, that when you first listen to the record you will probably not recognize it as a Grimes' album. I believe that this is what she always tried to do: an album with her deepest happiest feelings, even if they are not about good experiences.
    "Art Angels" is an outstanding album about an artist that make music for herself. From the critical lyrics of "Flesh without Blood" to the deep emotions of "World princess part ii", everything is about knowing the true Claire Boucher of Vancouver. It's a self-portrait of an artist that saw your fans turning their backs over her when she released a song (and yes, I'm talking about "Go") that was unusual to her repertory.
    Although it may sound a little selfish, it is the pure truth. I don't know if every song in the record is about her but does it really matter? We all have feelings described in at least one song. "Art Angels" captured the elementary things of being human: the flaws, the desires and the thoughts. However, it's a real pop album. Musics are catchy and are really easy to listen. It's weird of course, after all we're still talking about Grimes. Maybe that is why after all these years of pop culture being just pop, the album still so unprecedented.
    This is what dark and beautiful should be. This is what I want to hear from the new "pop" artists. This is evolution, creativity and pop. The references are there, a great artwork is there, Grimes is there; wrap it all up and this is Art Angels. An album of a truly D.I.Y. artist.    … Expand
  7. TrentRey
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    It have been years since pop artist/producer/singer/songwriter came out with an album. This is a long-waited album. This is probably the weirdest pop album ever, but the weirdness of the album makes it good. The tracks for the album are by far, the best she ever produced.

    The album version of "Realiti" sounds better than the one she released earlier this year on YouTube. The song is a    It have been years since pop artist/producer/singer/songwriter came out with an album. This is a long-waited album. This is probably the weirdest pop album ever, but the weirdness of the album makes it good. The tracks for the album are by far, the best she ever produced.

    The album version of "Realiti" sounds better than the one she released earlier this year on YouTube. The song is a great song to dance to and sing alone to (if you know the lyrics).

    One of the most catchy song on the album is a song that features Janelle Monáe. "Venus Fly" is an outstanding song with a strong noisy beat. Even though she repeats herself though the entire song, it's a great song and one of the best on the album because of the noise-pop, weird electronic beat.

    This albums sounds like a combination of music that would be in an Japanese anime series and in a JRPG game.

    Scream is another weird track on the album that features Tai rapper, Aristophanes. The lyrics are hard to understand but the track overall, sounds good and fits the theme for the album.

    "Kill V. Maim" is a track where Grimes sounds like a character from an anime singing. It sounds really weird and if you were to bump this in your car very loud people would just shake their head at you. The weirdness of this song, like most of the songs on this album, sounds very good.

    "Flesh without Blood" is the highlight song on the album. It has the best songwriting and it's the only track where it's easy to understand what she's saying. Even though the track is still noisy, the her lyrics are easy to understand.    … Expand
  8. GuilhermeBrusch
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Simplesmente maravilhoso. A ascensão synth pop de Grimes, com toques county, sem deixar de lado seu experimentalismo, formando uma mistura perfeita, e maravilhosa de se ouvir. Com duas participações mais que perfeitas, posso dizer que o Art Angels está entre uns dos melhores álbuns desse ano.
  9. Mistylicious
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    This alongside with Carly Rae Jepsen's E-MO-TION are what pop albums should be. A consistent and conceptual body of work, with a clean production and catchy melodies.
  10. michaelm93l
    Nov 15, 2015
    10
    After listening to this album 9 days straight I'm still not getting bored, the most freshest album I've listened to all year if not the past couple of years. I can't wait to see her play these songs live when she comes to Dublin. Congrats Grimes you made something special and deserve all the acclaim.
  11. transfinissa
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Está incrível! Esse último álbum mais animado superou minhas expectativas e também de vários fãs. Uma overdose de batidas maravilhosa, letras ótimas e muito bem produzido.
  12. theZED
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    A great solo endeavor with brilliant production quality. Complex but immaculate layering and many subtle sound effects are what every track is composed of. You will definitely notice the versatility of Grimes here in this joyful, euphoric album.
  13. frandecurgez
    Nov 9, 2015
    10
    I cannot believe this album. I cannot stop listening to Art Angels. Actually, i can believe it. Grimes proves once more how incredible she is. Every song in Art Angels is amazing. And what is even better, it makes me wanna dance wildly.
  14. fabricioedwward
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Melhor álbum alternativo do ano!! O som soa como algo que nunca ouvi musicalmente falando.. Grimes sempre vem inovando com seus álbuns cada vez mais. Fico feliz em ver que veio um trabalho um pouco diferente do VISIONS.
  15. forcis12
    Nov 8, 2015
    9
    I am new to this genre of pop music. I accidentally stumbled upon Grimes a couple of years ago and I can't get enough. This album is pure Grimes. There are a few killer tracks that I will probably listen ad nauseum. The sheer amount of effort and thought put in to this album is worth the purchase. It still blows my mind Grimes is a solo endeavor.
  16. samusabino
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Este é álbum é simplesmente maravilhoso, um grande avanço na carreira da Grimes.
    Não é como seus antigos álbuns, "Visions" ou "Halfaxa", cujo ambos são bons, mas este novo álbum os superou
  17. Evic21
    Nov 9, 2015
    10
    I thought it unlikely that she could make an album that is better than 'Visions"; however, after listening to each song on the album, I can't find any filler or songs that didn't fit. In general this album is a very dramatic statment. It screams that Grimes is an independent artisit who has full creative control over every move she makes which makes her a valuable woman in thisI thought it unlikely that she could make an album that is better than 'Visions"; however, after listening to each song on the album, I can't find any filler or songs that didn't fit. In general this album is a very dramatic statment. It screams that Grimes is an independent artisit who has full creative control over every move she makes which makes her a valuable woman in this cut-throat, sexist industry. You go girl. Keep it up.… Expand
  18. RoosterJuice
    Nov 12, 2015
    10
    WOW! What an interesting style! Incredibly simple melodic hooks with a ton of depth. Metacritic lists the genre as Indie rock, yet Google Music lists it as Dance / Electronic. They are both right and both wrong. Very rarely there is a musician who creates accessible pop music, but is actually an artist. Robyn is a good example of this... Grimes is another. Love it.
  19. chippythekid
    Dec 20, 2015
    9
    OK so Grimes is an amazing artist. When the first track comes on I was immediately pulled in, the opera-like singing is very melodic and beautiful and has me humming it all day. This album has many different styles and every song you get something different but yet still exhilarating. Also the Janelle Monae and Aristophanes features are great. By far Art Angels is one of the top 5 albumsOK so Grimes is an amazing artist. When the first track comes on I was immediately pulled in, the opera-like singing is very melodic and beautiful and has me humming it all day. This album has many different styles and every song you get something different but yet still exhilarating. Also the Janelle Monae and Aristophanes features are great. By far Art Angels is one of the top 5 albums of the year.… Expand
  20. Mad-Hatter
    Nov 12, 2015
    10
    Visions was neutral for me (it was good but I don't like that music genre) but this album is more "Pop" than Visions and I like better than genre. Art Angels is a strange album, but it is still a good and surprisingly catchy! SCREAM and Kill V. Maim are my favorites. Production, composition and vocals, perfect.
  21. SimonHend
    Nov 19, 2015
    10
    The first time I heard Flesh Without Blood, I was a bit scared Grimes had gotten all poppy. I really loved her album Visions, so I hoped she did not leave everything behind of what she did on Visions. But oh my, after a few listenings, I fell in love with Art Angels. Such a perfect mixture of her crazy, weird, lovely sounds and perfect lyrics. This is going to be a keeper. This deservesThe first time I heard Flesh Without Blood, I was a bit scared Grimes had gotten all poppy. I really loved her album Visions, so I hoped she did not leave everything behind of what she did on Visions. But oh my, after a few listenings, I fell in love with Art Angels. Such a perfect mixture of her crazy, weird, lovely sounds and perfect lyrics. This is going to be a keeper. This deserves several rounds of applause.… Expand
  22. htaia
    Nov 9, 2015
    10
    Grimes acertou em cheio, o álbum é consistente, coerente e possui uma boa produção synthpop. Claire nos trouxe um álbum completamente viciante e certamente um dos melhores álbuns de 2015. Destaques: Kill V. Maim / Venus Fly / Life in a Vivid Dream / Flesh Without Blood
  23. DigitalWitness
    Nov 10, 2015
    10
    Grimes has shown to the world she has the power to make a great pop album without going full mainstream, the tracks are all flawless and the collabs are rather than perfect!
  24. justgetfit
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    This is pretty insane amazing. Grimes has taken her sound to a whole new level. I've been listening to this album start to finish since it came out. Go Claire!
  25. fangirlingtani
    Nov 15, 2015
    10
    Art Angels is full of light, colour, and all round buzzy-ness. It is the foreground stunner of her collection as it demands your attention and releases a sheen of euphoric hums and drums. It is very obvious that the elements of what makes Grimes "Grimes" are still present.
  26. juanca
    Nov 8, 2015
    10
    Is very different to Visions and her other artworks, but is very cool, magic and I love all of the songs. I really Love Halfaxa, Geidi Primes and Visions but this is so glorious.
  27. WXYZ
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    [A] phenomenal album. Grimes sounds a lot better, and the 1st song is one of the best intros I have ever heard. P.S. I pretty much prefer this version of REALiTi than the demo.
  28. Buzz37
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Her best album by far. The songs are connected and in a simple way it all makes sense and works like Visions and Halfaxa should. Best tracks: SCREAM, Flesh Without Blood, Kill V. Maim, Artangels, Pin, World Princes part II, Venus Fly and Butterfly, but the entire album deserves a listen.
  29. fieri
    Nov 6, 2015
    10
    The entire album is crafted to perfection. The opening, middle and all the way through to the close is an electronic masterpiece. It's the perfect sequel to Visions, and displays development in production on Grimes' behalf, truly worth the way. It's fantastically odd.
  30. maurili00
    Nov 7, 2015
    10
    Literally, angelic art. This album represent what Grimes is and wharwhat she came for. Great to see great pop anthem in this album without her losing identity.
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Album of 2015
12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2015
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2015
    80
    Claire Boucher's fourth album is wilder, more ambitious, and--at least on the surface--more accessible than her breakthrough
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    Dec 18, 2015
    80
    Crackling with radio-primed hooks, whipsnap breakbeats and Boucher’s helium-pitched vocals, Grimes’ third album makes a convincing strike for playlist ubiquity, with a healthy dollop of the oddball chucked in.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    Dec 11, 2015
    80
    You can sense the deceptively complex Art Angels will only continue to yield further depths with time. [Jan 2016, p.76]
See all critic reviews »