Conatus
by Zola Jesus
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
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  1. Boston Globe
    Oct 4, 2011
    60
    Conatus is moody mermaid music.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Oct 4, 2011
    60
    The second Zola Jesus disc could have spelunked into Brontë Sisters silliness, but its churning, creepy urgency proves hard to dismiss.
  3. The Guardian
    Sep 27, 2011
    60
    Danilova's juggernaut vocals can feel relentless, but considering Zola Jesus is a deliberately poised and arty affair, a little over-reaching melodrama is hardly a surprise.
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 27, 2011
    60
    It's all very accomplished, but lacking in variety.
  6. 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.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
  1. hydrawithears
    Oct 4, 2011
    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 NikaThe 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 Danilovaâ… Full Review »
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