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Conatus - Zola Jesus
Conatus Image
Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.0 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The third full-length album for Nika Roza Danilova was coproduced with Nudge (aka as Brian Foote).
  • Record Label: Sacred Bones
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Electronic, Experimental Rock
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    Oct 12, 2011
    88
    Danilova has crafted perhaps the year's most emphatically romantic record--defiant, loyal, indomitable.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 4, 2011
    88
    Toward the end of this thoroughly bewitching album, Danilova even dispenses with the security-blanket gloom, singing a stark piano ballad not far removed from Adele's "Someone Like You."
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 7, 2011
    60
    Stridulum was just a warm-up for Conatus, giving Zola Jesus the opportunity to gain confidence in traditional song forms so that she could burst out with a compositionally and emotionally varied set next time out.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. hydrawithears
    8
    The idea of replacing industrial in favour of icy beats seemed to me like a wrong idea. The first listen of Conatus, the third album by Nika Roza Danilova aka Zola Jesus, has corroborated my assumption. Thank God I always listen to a record twice before writing a review! Conatus is stunning, a conscious step ahead in building Danilova’s musical identity. As suggested on the cover, Conatus is lighter in comparison to Stridulum II (my 4th favourite album of 2010) but heavy drums and synths are nevertheless present. If Stridulum was a score to the forthcoming apocalypse, this one is about the aftermath. Those who survived now strive for normal life and, surprisingly, even find comfort. Conatus contains two songs that come close to what can be named a “hit”: danceable Seekir and R&B-flavoured Shivers. Do not panic goths for gloom is still here, like on the robotic darkwave of Vessel which bursts into a percussion madness or disturbing Hikikomori with lyrics about blisters on my hands. But Zola Jesus does not need words to invoke a feeling – just listen to her wailing on Ixode. Sorry for being such a sceptic.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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