All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Playlouder

Sophomore set of the century, near enough.

Read Full Review >

Tiny Mix Tapes

Takes the listener on an unmitigated aural journey through the outer reaches of electronic music.

Read Full Review >

Filter

A masterful submersion in the pop allure of ambient and house music. [#16, p.94]

Under The Radar

An immersive experience that has unexpected turns and deep emotions at the core of every song. [#10, p.114]

Spin

Showcases vocals more boldly than Melody A.M. [Aug 2005, p.98]

Pitchfork

This is the one that puts them firmly and officially up there in the top tier of the dance-music crossover-album crowd, up with the Daft Punks and, umm, Basement Jaxxes.

Read Full Review >

The Guardian

Even more melodious, lush and seductive than... Melody AM.

Read Full Review >

Billboard

The pair's knack for excelling amid a range of styles and approaches is even more apparent on "The Understanding," which resists the temptation to overtly court the masses.

Read Full Review >

Delusions of Adequacy

What they do best is produce exceptional electronica for people that don't have the patience for extended instrumental passages and require things like vocals on regular intervals. With that precursor, The Understanding is probably one of the better electronica records to come out this year that thankfully doesn't involve MCs from Def Jux or was composed on a laptop.

Read Full Review >

cokemachineglow

Certain artists’ albums sound like they’re effortless because they’re actually lacking in effort, but Röyksopp’s albums sound effortless because these guys are just that good at turning out great downtempo tunes.

Read Full Review >

Q Magazine

The Understanding raises their game, mainly with its careful attention to one key musical detail: great tunes. [Aug 2005, p.132]

New Musical Express

Gorgeous.

Read Full Review >

ShakingThrough.net

The Understanding is one of those bold sophomore efforts that will most likely split fans of the duo into two camps, with the Air/Boards of Canada downbeaters lamenting the new direction and the dance-oriented, Basement Jaxx set reveling in the unexpected vibrancy of Röyksopp’s present sound.

Read Full Review >

Entertainment Weekly

The first disc's bubbly, nuanced electronica has given way to capable club stompers, more aggressive beats, and, for that extra-accessible touch, a greater role for singers. [15 Jul 2005, p.70]

Stylus Magazine

Much of the album bears more than a passing resemblance to the second half of [Daft Punk's] Discovery.

Read Full Review >

Paste Magazine

Perfect for a top-down ride to the beach. [Aug/Sep 2005, p.115]

Magnet

Royksopp's shift to the fun side is exactly what its music needed. [#68, p.110]

Blender

The beat-programming is crystalline, the feeling is frozen, the soul is northern if it's there at all. [Sep 2005, p.136]

PopMatters

The Understanding definitely shows the growth of a young group and the innovation that Röyksopp have been experimenting with since their 2004 debut, but they haven't yet reached the height of their potential.

Read Full Review >

All Music Guide

Röyksopp have little left to say aside from what others have said more clearly in the past.

Read Full Review >

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Even in its migration from the groovy '70s to the technocratic '80s, though, Röyksopp has become a lot cooler than it has to be.

Read Full Review >

Rolling Stone

By turns frantic and tired, jittery and soothing.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

More conservative than 2001's Melody AM, with little of the twinkling, yodelling mania that distinguished them from their late-night-friendly peers. [Aug 2005, p.103]

Slant Magazine

Even the best tracks bobble like a helium balloon tugging from a child's clenched fist... but not quite forcibly enough to pull free.

Read Full Review >

Village Voice (Consumer Guide)

Where once these Norwegians were extolled for their subtle melodicism, here their schlock candidly attacks the jugular.

Read Full Review >

Urb

The tactic [of increased vocals] hits and misses, as the album's standout tracks owe their success to the crew's innovative and polished production, not their lyrical prowess. [Jul/Aug 2005, p.104]

Dot Music

For the most part, "The Understanding" saunters along without a trace of urgency, which is unfortunate as Royksopp were always at their best when electronic ingenuity rather than pastel-shaded synth washes were holding things up.

Read Full Review >

Trouser Press

A greater focus on club anthems and straightforward songwriting broadens the band’s appeal but sacrifices originality in the process.

Read Full Review >

Mojo

Too much of it passes by easily, leaving little lasting impression. [Aug 2005, p.101]

Splendid

There's nothing distinctive about it.

Read Full Review >

Alternative Press

Bland and undistinguished. [Aug 2005, p.178]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Manjero gave it a9:
This under appreciated gemstone of an album by Royksopp is another great addition to your electronic collection. Unlike Melody A.M., The Understanding takes on a more dreamy, majestic aura, which can easily rival to A.M.'s greatness. This new, welcoming light doused onto The Understanding magnifies the mystical nature that is Royksopp.

Nikolai Nikolai gave it a10:
A change from Melody A.M and a step forward to "the electro cult icon" that Ryoskopp becames with "The Understanding!!!"

Mike gave it a5:
Not as good as Melody AM and has some horribly cheesy songs on here. Great production and is more experimental than their last effort but hasn't paid off.

Fred R gave it an8:
Although uneven at times, this disc is powerful and ambitious. Only This Moment is worth the price of admission. The singing on The Understanding is amazing, the lyrics are touching, the production sizzles and sparkles, it bristles with life and blows through the speakers like a celestial wind. Wow, what am I writing? If you like electronic music you need to purchase this CD. Royksopp and Bent are the best imports, check them out, you won't be disappointed.

salomey gave it an8:
it's an interesting affair this one like most albums i think it's a bit too long and it doesn't grab my interest the entire duration of the disk then again i couldn't really mention a weak spot i will refrain comments on whether it's innovative or not if only because i don't care about innovation i won't be able to hear the aspects of innovation of this album in 2009 anymore anyway and i will still play this album then because of the strong melodies and far above standard production

dj s gave it an8:
more to it than melody am - varied, lush, really damn good actually. its abundance of really good tunes and lots of singing might take it out of the "cool downbeat" cliche? but thats no bad thing.

Niv B gave it a3:
If you liked the amazing "Melody AM" - this album is not for you. Royksopp have clearly gone through a change between the debut album, and "The Understanding" fails to be as amazingly original as the first one. You won't get mind-numbingly gorgeous instrumental tracks here, and no original Yodel vocals in here. This is a bland electronic album, that fails to keep up with the "Melody AM" greatness. Only few tracks, like "Someone Like You" and "Only This Moment", try and line-up with the first album, while the rest fall into weird boy-band rock. In "The Understanding", Royksopp cleary misunderstood what "Melody AM" lovers want...

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

The Understanding

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases