Cocoa Sugar
by Young Fathers
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 151 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 139 out of 151
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 151
  3. Negative: 5 out of 151
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Mangolicious
    Mar 14, 2018
    10
    This is the first time i'm hearing their music and i'm hooked. Experimental yet accessible. Urgent, energetic. It's an amalgamation of various genres and it'll remind you other bands at times, but it still sounds like its own thing. Could be described as anomalous pop, maybe? It's just very good. Listen to it and see how it makes you feel. There's no way you won't like it if you haveThis is the first time i'm hearing their music and i'm hooked. Experimental yet accessible. Urgent, energetic. It's an amalgamation of various genres and it'll remind you other bands at times, but it still sounds like its own thing. Could be described as anomalous pop, maybe? It's just very good. Listen to it and see how it makes you feel. There's no way you won't like it if you have adventurous ears.… Expand
  2. JforJenius
    Mar 13, 2018
    10
    There're few things that make me happier than a new release by one of my favorite bands and then having that new release be the best of everything they've ever released. And in this, Cocao Sugar does not disappoint. It starts out with the very familiar gospel-esque tones that Young Fathers have been working with for some time now, then quickly brings in the tribal tones—all the whileThere're few things that make me happier than a new release by one of my favorite bands and then having that new release be the best of everything they've ever released. And in this, Cocao Sugar does not disappoint. It starts out with the very familiar gospel-esque tones that Young Fathers have been working with for some time now, then quickly brings in the tribal tones—all the while featuring some amazing lyrics that deal with real life and the world out there. It's honestly one of the best albums I've heard all year (yes, it's still early) and I'm sure it'll stay top of my list for a while if not all of 2018. Truly a joy from start to finish. Some favorite tracks, 'See How it Goes', 'Turn', 'In my view' and 'Lord', but overall a real trip of a listen.… Expand
  3. TarpsyBaby
    Mar 15, 2018
    10
    Absolutely my favorite album of the year so far!! Completely new to the band, but after listening to this album on repeat for the last week, I am ready to delve into their older stuff. Their sound makes me think if Tricky & TV on the Radio had a love child, this would be the heir. Can't wait to see what comes next from them! #lovelove
  4. ladeezus
    Mar 10, 2018
    10
    I have been a fan of these guys since their first EP dropped back in the day, and with every release they just keep improving and improving. This is the first album in so long that I think is absolutely flawless in each and every way, and I think everyone should give this album a listen. It's a rare one indeed.
  5. erolsabadosh
    Jun 7, 2020
    10
    I've been waiting for them to drop another album and wow they really didn't disappoint with this release! Clean production but the sounds are still interesting and unpredictable and the music is just as emotive and impassioned as ever. I'm so happy a band like this exists, one that ignores trends and makes damn good music with great songwriting and messages at the core without worryingI've been waiting for them to drop another album and wow they really didn't disappoint with this release! Clean production but the sounds are still interesting and unpredictable and the music is just as emotive and impassioned as ever. I'm so happy a band like this exists, one that ignores trends and makes damn good music with great songwriting and messages at the core without worrying about fitting into a particular box.… Expand
  6. FromKanga
    Aug 6, 2018
    10
    I discovered them very recently and I adore them, every song is innovative, creative and fun to listen to.
  7. lulabymusic
    May 6, 2018
    9
    ​
    ____ It seems that all bicycles have long been invented ... Including in music. But there are such madmen as Young Fathers, who are still searching and finding. Mixing such styles as gospel, holler, electronic, trip-hop, british rap, experimental, adding to them an incredible amount of borrowings from kraut-rock, funk, soul, afrobit, R & B, punk, electric lock, reggae, house and, of    ​
    ____ It seems that all bicycles have long been invented ... Including in music. But there are such madmen as Young Fathers, who are still searching and finding. Mixing such styles as gospel, holler, electronic, trip-hop, british rap, experimental, adding to them an incredible amount of borrowings from kraut-rock, funk, soul, afrobit, R & B, punk, electric lock, reggae, house and, of course, hip-hop, they get their original, nothing like a product that is distinguished by a chic sound and powerful energy.
    Rhythms excite, vibrations permeate, the body responds with movement. The experiment was a success and the album remained accessible for a wide audience.    … Expand
  8. SergioAllIndie
    Apr 17, 2018
    10
    This is truly a diverse, imaginative, forward-thinking work of art. It´s speaking to your head and to your heart at the same time, and even in the midst of the intricate noises and evident notion of modern chaos that is depicted thematically throughout the record, it accomplishes bringing up a call of urgency for heavy spiritual lifting, making it a listening experience that is bothThis is truly a diverse, imaginative, forward-thinking work of art. It´s speaking to your head and to your heart at the same time, and even in the midst of the intricate noises and evident notion of modern chaos that is depicted thematically throughout the record, it accomplishes bringing up a call of urgency for heavy spiritual lifting, making it a listening experience that is both creatively interesting and core-shaking.… Expand
  9. avenaunana
    May 14, 2018
    10
    this is their best work to date. i think they grow up a lot and show us beautiful melodies
  10. alexpowell
    Mar 21, 2018
    10
    I am a new fan of the Young Fathers after having this album recommended to me and i was not disappointed. This album is very experimental and unlike anything I've heard before but yet is also very accessible. To top it off they are phenomenal live. Cocoa Sugar is easily my favourite album of the year so far and possibly one of my favourites of all time!!
  11. Jefu
    Mar 13, 2018
    9
    I am a first time listener of Young Fathers and this album instantly made me a fan of the group. This album is experimental yet still accessible. At times it is very melodic and chill while at other times it is hectic and exciting. This album is full of surprises and I will definitely listen through it again. I highly recommend.
  12. dirtycomputa
    May 15, 2018
    10
    Hands Down! this is one of the best things of this year so far... i love the trip this album put me in
  13. lykkeli
    Jul 9, 2018
    10
    Adoro esse cd mesmo com o nome dele parecendo "cocô e chuca" mas isso não importa o que importa é que o cd é muito bom e merece a aclamação que tem
  14. SKSK
    Jul 23, 2018
    8
    Cocoa Sugar has some great melodies. The best experimental album I've heard in a while.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Album of 2018
88
#88 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    Apr 10, 2018
    80
    Cocoa Sugar mystifies before it gratifies, but it reflects a modern global chaos as much as it does a personal one.
    Read full review
  2. The 405
    Mar 27, 2018
    75
    None of these influences are worn on Young Fathers' sleeves and Cocoa Sugar is further proof that when the band puts something out that you can prepare for a unique, engaging listen.
    Read full review
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 19, 2018
    80
    Cocoa Sugar isn’t a filtered version of what came before. Instead, it cements their status as riled-up oddballs determined to reinvent the wheel.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »