User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Bankrupt!
by
Bankrupt! Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the French rock band was co-produced with Philippe Zdar of Cassius.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Trying To Be Cool
City and desert coexist Depending on the things you're wearing Wildlife binoculars Tell me that you want me Tell me that you want me They teach you... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jul 16, 2013
    90
    The songs on Bankrupt! all still feature scintillating synths, gorgeous melodies and soaring moments of transcendent skill but with more of a flair for the dynamic tense of music.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 24, 2013
    83
    Best of all is "S.O.S. in Bel Air," a deceptively giddy song about the loneliness of guest-list-only parties. "Alone, alone, alone!" Mars sighs. And you can just imagine a stadium full of kids shouting the line back to him, alone together.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Apr 22, 2013
    80
    After the immediacy of Wolfgang, ‘Bankrupt!’ can seem like a sidestep. But delve deeper and this is an album reveals itself as a gem; one which mixes their crowd-pleasing hooks with an inventive shift in their sound.
  4. No Ripcord
    Apr 22, 2013
    70
    The big thrills come so fast it almost feels like a blur, only equaled to the ravished excitement of making a score on a big night. It’ll knock you senseless, possibly bankrupt, until the urge comes back in full force.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Apr 23, 2013
    70
    By design, the new disc is less precisely crafted and more taken with posh, atmospheric grooves than hot power pop.
  6. NOW Magazine
    Apr 25, 2013
    60
    Despite the flashy production values and singer Thomas Mars’s wispy croon, it ultimately feels as superficial as its subject matter.
  7. Magnet
    May 10, 2013
    30
    Not only does Bankrupt! propose a big, stadium-ready sound, it offers one that nearly suffocates its creators. [No. 98, p.59]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Bestbye
    Jan 14, 2014
    10
    Wonderful album. Definitely different than their last albums; that's one of the reasons I like it so much. If you don't go into this albumWonderful album. Definitely different than their last albums; that's one of the reasons I like it so much. If you don't go into this album expecting Wolfgang Amadeus (which seems like the only other Phoenix album many know), you'll be pleasantly surprised.… Expand
  2. Woodsy
    Apr 23, 2013
    9
    The vocal melodies may meander slightly here and there, but everything else is so on-point I can't help but fall in love with it all. PhoenixThe vocal melodies may meander slightly here and there, but everything else is so on-point I can't help but fall in love with it all. Phoenix remains king of that indie pop-rock sound.… Expand
  4. matticussparat
    May 20, 2013
    9
    I'm going to say what I didn't like first. There are 3 songs on this new record I don't particularly like. Ironically, the title trackI'm going to say what I didn't like first. There are 3 songs on this new record I don't particularly like. Ironically, the title track 'Bankrupt!,' along with Chloroform, are my least favorite. Chloroform just seems underwritten (especially the lead synth part.)

    Ok, now for the good. The track "Trying to be Cool" is one of the best '2010's 80s-revival' songs I've ever come across, "Oblique City" is one of their most adventurous songs ever, and "Drakkar Noir" hints at their earlier attempts. Overall, I find this to be far more interesting than their record 'It's Never Been Like That' but probably won't garner the attention of 'Wolfgang Amadeus'    … Expand
  5. Geologist
    Apr 23, 2013
    8
    After the spectacular "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix", I expected nothing less than something lukewarm, since it's predecessor was so great.After the spectacular "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix", I expected nothing less than something lukewarm, since it's predecessor was so great. "Bankrupt!" was just that, but also exceeded my expectations. Phoenix has moved more into synthpop, that's less bold than the last album, but still provides a peachy, fun vibe to each of the tracks, more specifically "S.O.S In Bel-Air", and "Trying To Be Cool".

    I'm sure some fans will be disappointed, but it's fun, and very easy to get into. 8/10    … Expand
  6. Calciferus
    Jun 2, 2013
    8
    Decent record. Weaker than the previous album, but still strong enough for not being a total flatout. The minus point of this LP is that someDecent record. Weaker than the previous album, but still strong enough for not being a total flatout. The minus point of this LP is that some tracks feel incredibly synthed, causing consistencies on those tracks. Highlight track: Drakkar Noir, S.O.S. in the Bel Air, Bourgeois… Expand
  7. alecvl08
    Oct 12, 2014
    6
    This album provides a few great songs - Entertainment, Trying to Be Cool, and even the title track, which I'm sure isn't on the top of theThis album provides a few great songs - Entertainment, Trying to Be Cool, and even the title track, which I'm sure isn't on the top of the charts, but it's actually an interesting track, sitting right in the middle of all the sugary pop. Some other tracks are pretty boring and aren't memorable at all. This album is worth a listen, but it's not a pop masterpiece at all. I would suggest The 1975. Favorite track: Bankrupt!… Expand
  8. SimpleMethod
    Jul 5, 2013
    4
    Not as good as Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. It's really lacking something, but I can't particularly pinpoint exactly what. Not the worst, butNot as good as Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. It's really lacking something, but I can't particularly pinpoint exactly what. Not the worst, but don't pay for it.… Collapse

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2013
95
#95 Most Shared Album of 2013

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »