Choose Your Weapon
by Hiatus Kaiyote
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 69
  3. Negative: 3 out of 69
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  1. dijavantewow
    Dec 1, 2015
    10
    I would recommend this album to any interesting in experimental R&B / neo-soul. The lead singing has an interesting style and the beats take such unusual twists and turns. This is one of my favorite albums of 2015 and was an issue choice to buy on vinyl.
  2. ruedall
    Aug 24, 2015
    10
    Hiatus Kaiyote's Choose Your Weapon is a complete album experience, served best by a full listening. The band creates a tapestry of diverse images while maintaining a strong sense of continuity: while tracks like Swamp Thing, Fingerprints, and By Fire sound like they ought not be by the same artist, let alone on the same record, they all share a similar harmonic pentatonic "fingerprint",Hiatus Kaiyote's Choose Your Weapon is a complete album experience, served best by a full listening. The band creates a tapestry of diverse images while maintaining a strong sense of continuity: while tracks like Swamp Thing, Fingerprints, and By Fire sound like they ought not be by the same artist, let alone on the same record, they all share a similar harmonic pentatonic "fingerprint", as it were; the same goes for Atari and Prince Minikid, which share a single-step chord change despite having significantly different musical surfaces. Nai Palm's carefully-weaved and complex vocal harmonies complement her incredible, incendiary lead performance. Perrin Moss is, somehow, always both on and off the beat, handling complex time changes and rhythmic complexities with apparent ease. Simon Mavin on keyboards and Paul Bender on bass both demonstrate nothing short of virtuosity on their respective instruments: Bender lays the bass on thick on tracks such as Swamp Thing and provides intricate counterpoint on Molasses, while Mavin creates a varied ethereal soundscape with his synthesizer that defines and permeates the album. Choose Your Weapon is an album for the ages, and fortunately for all of us is only the sophomore effort of this most up-and-coming band, Hiatus Kaiyote.… Expand
  3. VONNIE
    Jul 18, 2015
    10
    What an awesome Group. I wish I could give you a 100. This is such a well crafted body of work. I hear so many Genres!

    The Vocals, Drums, Bass and the Keyboards....MAGICAL! Please say you will be performing in the US!!!

    You have no idea you well you will be received here! Especially Michigan!
  4. MELODIKTRIBE
    May 11, 2015
    9
    Modern, Expire-mental, and a great understanding of R&B.
    Pros:
    Chord progressions on point, nice sense of melody, pretty production all over it, psychedelic vibes, and top notch vocals. What more could you ask for?
    Cons:
    Lacks a little bit of dynamics, could use a stronger sense of harmony, not very memorable, nothing spectacular.
  5. pokedude449
    Jun 19, 2017
    9
    I really dont think there are any other band around right now that sound like HK. From the onslaught of complex rhythms interwoven through many hours of studio work, to the dank chord changes, to Nai Palms uniquely poetic lyrics. 9/10 would recommend.
  6. bakethesnake
    Sep 28, 2015
    7
    After I listened to "Choose Your Weapon" by Hiatus Kaiyote, I would endorse the album and recommend that you give it a listen. While it is true that this album is well put together, it lacks the certain oomph that my favorite music has... The production quality is great on this album and everything flows smoothly and psychedelically as intended. The chord progressions are satisfyinglyAfter I listened to "Choose Your Weapon" by Hiatus Kaiyote, I would endorse the album and recommend that you give it a listen. While it is true that this album is well put together, it lacks the certain oomph that my favorite music has... The production quality is great on this album and everything flows smoothly and psychedelically as intended. The chord progressions are satisfyingly jazzy under the R&B style vocals that are sung so soulfully. While all the songs are indeed unique, they don't really have any distinguishing features that set them apart from each other. That being said, I think that this album is more effective as background music than as an attention-grabbing masterpiece. When I could not a recall any favorite songs from "Choose Your Weapon" it really spoke to the way that all the songs meshed together. That's okay though, this album doesn't need to have hits, as I was able to listen to the entirety of the album without truly being bored by the music.… Expand
  7. ParallelPlatypu
    Jul 30, 2017
    9
    Fantastic album; smooth, unassuming and luscious production. The vocals are unrelentingly delicious. Also a very versatile album, fills whatever void you need it to. Highly recommended (9.2-9.5/10).
  8. ajmonroe
    Apr 26, 2021
    10
    This album slaps, I would describe it as psychedelic now-soul. Experimental soundscapes fill the gaps between soulful hooks, soft keys, and incredible vocals. I always feel like comparisons come up short, but to me it sounds like the structure of an album by The Mars Volta meets the sound of Erykah Badu

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Mojo
    Jul 28, 2015
    80
    At 70 minutes long, there's a lot to digest but it's worth persevering with as repeated listens gradually unveil a musical universe unlike any other. [Sep 2015, p.89]
  2. Clash Music
    May 8, 2015
    80
    The album's weakest points come in the shape of some unnecessary interludes that only act as murky limbos between its better parts.... Other than that, Hiatus Kaiyote have put together a project that is both vibrant and uninhibited in its nature.
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  3. HipHopDX
    May 8, 2015
    90
    They make poignant soul that’s fresh sounding at all angles. Most importantly, Choose Your Weapon stands on its own as one of the year’s best albums.
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