Bad Witch
by Nine Inch Nails
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 71
  3. Negative: 5 out of 71
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  1. DavidCall360
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    After the past two NIN releases, this release is totally out of left field. And it is pretty great. Lots more aggression than there has been in years. Tons of experimentation. Its great.
  2. Vukmirion
    Jun 24, 2018
    9
    The freshest and most consistent part of recent NIN trilogy. Especially "Over and Out" builds enormously melancholic vibe and could easily replace "Hurt" as an encore at live shows.
    I respect and like the fact that Reznor doesn't care about his fanbase expectations and freely experiments with different styles. It gives a risk of potential mistakes but after all creates a strong, rich and    The freshest and most consistent part of recent NIN trilogy. Especially "Over and Out" builds enormously melancholic vibe and could easily replace "Hurt" as an encore at live shows.
    I respect and like the fact that Reznor doesn't care about his fanbase expectations and freely experiments with different styles. It gives a risk of potential mistakes but after all creates a strong, rich and various discography.    … Expand
  3. Hipstersnob
    Jun 24, 2018
    8
    Good, short, to the point album from reznor and ross. The instrumental tracks are a little off putting but apart from that, an excellent album
  4. huri
    Jun 24, 2018
    8
    Solid album with new sounds to offer in the NIN catalogue. Of the latest releases from NIN, this one is the most thought provoking and the most personnel. I escaped for 30 minutes and 14 seconds.
  5. BlueChino
    Jun 23, 2018
    9
    If having the energy of a 90's era Trent Reznor mixing with doomy jazz fusions and latter career soundscapes, while doing lines of David Bowie's ashes sounds appealing, this somewhat impenetrable record will be music to your ears. It needs a few listens to full appreciate, but it is my belief that this is the best and most creative output from NIN in their modern era (Hesitation Marks andIf having the energy of a 90's era Trent Reznor mixing with doomy jazz fusions and latter career soundscapes, while doing lines of David Bowie's ashes sounds appealing, this somewhat impenetrable record will be music to your ears. It needs a few listens to full appreciate, but it is my belief that this is the best and most creative output from NIN in their modern era (Hesitation Marks and beyond). It's not for everyone, as this is NIN at their least pop-like. When the dust settled, my biggest gripe is simply that it's a relatively short record, no-matter if you decide to think of it as a long EP or a short LP. This is the most experimental they have been since The Fragile, but where that arguably had glut, this release is arguably too short. Great stuff overall though.… Expand
  6. jewz
    Jun 23, 2018
    5
    Bad Witch would be a serviceable EP..... but since Trent Reznor insists on calling it an album, it must be reviewed as such. So: a half-hour mixtape of experimental noise, late Bowie worship, and a scant few moments of buried potential, mostly found within danceable intro Sh*t Mirror and the laid-back trip-hop of closer Over and Out. Mr. Reznor's forays into the hard industrial of earlyBad Witch would be a serviceable EP..... but since Trent Reznor insists on calling it an album, it must be reviewed as such. So: a half-hour mixtape of experimental noise, late Bowie worship, and a scant few moments of buried potential, mostly found within danceable intro Sh*t Mirror and the laid-back trip-hop of closer Over and Out. Mr. Reznor's forays into the hard industrial of early NIN influencers like Coil and Whitehouse work best when tempered by his natural inclinations toward radio-friendly pop and arena rock, and unfortunately little of that is on display here. Strictly for hardcore fans.… Expand
  7. hijosdelsiglo20
    Jun 22, 2018
    7
    "Not the actual events" was describes by Reznor as "a fairly impenetrable record”... well, "Not the actual events" is a pop-album compared to "Bad witch". It is a album difficult... difficult to listen, difficult to enjoy, difficult to love, but it is also complex, rich, bizarre and risky. The first third is the more industrial part, it reminds me other songs as "Letting you". The second"Not the actual events" was describes by Reznor as "a fairly impenetrable record”... well, "Not the actual events" is a pop-album compared to "Bad witch". It is a album difficult... difficult to listen, difficult to enjoy, difficult to love, but it is also complex, rich, bizarre and risky. The first third is the more industrial part, it reminds me other songs as "Letting you". The second third is somehow jazz-influenced or Bowie-influenced. And the final third is the experimental one, with one of the darkest tracks ever released "I'm not from this world", what would fit perfectly in the last season of Twin peaks.
    I deserves a 7 for the risk, for working out-of-the-comfort-zone and the production, carefully performed as ever.    … Expand
  8. Doof
    Jul 12, 2018
    7
    The 'return to form' narrative is in full effect, as are the 'this is much more experimental' claims. In reality, neither is true. This is a solid release, about the same quality of all Reznor's output over the last six or seven years. The jazz influence is welcome, the crooner-esque vocals slightly less so. Not bad.
  9. ilikeurfacegive
    Jun 25, 2018
    10
    The LP contains some of the most interesting and creative moments since The Slip, yet it goes on top even that album. Overall, NIN is in their prime.
  10. Hocejeking
    Feb 1, 2020
    9
    this album is mixing experimentation and aggression . I just love the saxophone on several tracks. It is worth to listen to it.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. No Ripcord
    Jul 9, 2018
    70
    While he denies us simple solutions, he uses this album to open sounds and atmospheres stranger and more daring than he’s used before. Rather than looking for answers, maybe the questions are what truly matter.
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  2. Consequence
    Jun 29, 2018
    83
    With Bad Witch, Reznor and Ross have proven their staying power as one of heavy music’s most formidable outfits, honoring their roots while looking forward into bold, new transcendent territory.
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  3. Clash Music
    Jun 28, 2018
    70
    While never quite holding together as a set, NIN continues to admirably cover new ground while doing what they do best, namely reflecting humanity’s worst impulses.
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