Break Up - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
Break Up Image
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The album of songs about a rocky love affair was recorded in 2006 (before Scarlett's 2008 covers album).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Paste Magazine
    71
    Between Yorn’s ingratiating tunes, Johansson’s harmonies and the lush, inventive production, Break Up ultimately succeeds in its ambitious goal of capturing the spirit--if not the sound--of the late-’60s musical partnership between Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot
  2. NOW Magazine
    60
    There’s a mopey, self-pitying quality to the lyrics, and the duo never once connect with or transmit the sultry passion that existed between those 60s icons [Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot].
  3. All Music Guide
    60
    Yorn and Johannson cut their album long before She & Him, but surfacing in its wake, they can't help but seem a bit like the polished, polite answer to the twee, precious charms of Zooey & M. Ward. Break Up does trump Vol. 1 conceptually, chronicling the dissolution of a romance as a series of duets, and Scarlett is a more-than-worthy foil to Yorn.
  4. Uncut
    20
    These tuneless songs which either brim with maudlin self-pity or bounce along with enforced jollity. [Oct 2009, p.123]
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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. HelenJe
    10
    Beautiful collection of fresh, unique sounding songs from an amazing talent, Pete Yorn. And he seems to have been able to bring out the best in Scarlett as well. Love This Album!… Expand
  2. RichieF.
    9
    This album is plain and simply good music. Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson have created a wonderfully enjoyable and, frankly, unique set of nine songs in which they have entitled "Break Up." Although the album doesn't even add up to a full half hour of music, don't underestimate the effects of it. I definitely got the indie-esque feel for the album after about the second listen all the way through, and loved every minute of it. Though it may not be the best album of 2009, it could definitely be a favorite. Give it a few listens and you will see how well Yorn's masterful instrumentals and lyricism mix with ScarJo's organically sexy voice. Ignore the negative reviews and pick this fun duet album up, it may be the best money you spend all week! The top 3 standouts for me include the ultra-fun "I Don't Know What to Do," the catchy "Search Your Heart," and the beautiful "Clean."… Expand
  3. AnieR
    8
    I feel all the way that gainsbourg spirit on this album. really great i love so much the deepful voice of Miss Johansson.

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