• Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2012
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 57
  2. Negative: 2 out of 57
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
  1. Jul 13, 2012
    9
    A very strong, albeit somewhat expected, transition from his earlier release, Forget. Lewis has honed his Duran-Duran-Seagulls-Tears/Fears-Bowie-Lost Boys-esque sound to a high-gloss sheen. Great stuff to put on and slip away into a distant, pastel-hued past; creepingly clever lyrics. In summary, it's the idea of the 80s as you wanted them to be -- funny thing this guy wasn't even oldA very strong, albeit somewhat expected, transition from his earlier release, Forget. Lewis has honed his Duran-Duran-Seagulls-Tears/Fears-Bowie-Lost Boys-esque sound to a high-gloss sheen. Great stuff to put on and slip away into a distant, pastel-hued past; creepingly clever lyrics. In summary, it's the idea of the 80s as you wanted them to be -- funny thing this guy wasn't even old enough to remember. Expand
  2. Aug 2, 2012
    9
    Confess is a lot more likeable than Forget, a lot more pleasant and consistent. It's clearly more commercial too, although that's not properly bad here. A pretty simple record but yet with multiple layres, impeccably crafted synths and some great cryptic lyrics. Definitely on my top3 of 2012.
  3. Aug 19, 2012
    9
    A very linear and logical move, Gerorge Lewis Jr. crafts another pleasantly aching heart-breaker of an album. Confess basically magnifies all of what made Forget such an amazing album. Yearning melodies, dancy synths, and love-scorned lyrics are all executed to perfection and undeniably what makes this such a listenable and rewarding album. With all instruments being played by Lewis, heA very linear and logical move, Gerorge Lewis Jr. crafts another pleasantly aching heart-breaker of an album. Confess basically magnifies all of what made Forget such an amazing album. Yearning melodies, dancy synths, and love-scorned lyrics are all executed to perfection and undeniably what makes this such a listenable and rewarding album. With all instruments being played by Lewis, he scores the perfect soundtrack to all his emotional woes. Forget sounded like the work of someone trying to draw inspiration from memories of childhood and adolescence, hazy recollections from a past the author seemed determined to forget but just couldnt. Confess on the other hand is completely immersed in the present circumstances of its creator, a love starved neo-greaser with a soft side. Confess also benefits from the fact that the production while clearly taking its cues from 80's dance pop still sounds so of-the-moment. One of the years best. Expand
  4. Apr 16, 2013
    9
    Confess is a much more confident, follow up to Forget and this is a definite positive. This new Twin Shadow is a much less likeable character than the one we heard in Forget, but an admirable one. Joyful and nostalgic soundscapes can be found across the board with highlights in Five Seconds, Mirror in the Dark and You Call Me On
  5. Feb 14, 2016
    8
    After a storming debut, Twin Shadow follows up with what is arguably a more appealling album from start to finish. What you get at the core is pop music but with a dark and brooding atmosphere a la Depeche Mode. I admit that this is a lazy comparison - Twin Shadow brings more to the table than simply rethreading ground covered in the 80's but he is hugely inspired by the electro/synth popAfter a storming debut, Twin Shadow follows up with what is arguably a more appealling album from start to finish. What you get at the core is pop music but with a dark and brooding atmosphere a la Depeche Mode. I admit that this is a lazy comparison - Twin Shadow brings more to the table than simply rethreading ground covered in the 80's but he is hugely inspired by the electro/synth pop of that period - Depeche Mode give you a rough idea of what you get here but with a 21st century tasted and Twin Shadow's original stamp present throughout. Again, it's the production that stands out on close, repeated listening. For some, "Confess" might lack the freshness of "Forget" but I don't agree with this as both albums are rooted in a sound that dates back 30 years or so. "Freshness" doesn't come into it. Twin Shadow has surprised me with how much I like his stuff and I would definitely recommend you check out his first two albums. Expand
  6. Dec 4, 2022
    7
    Very inspired by his influences Twin Shadow sophomore album sounds like a mix of duran druran,bowie,Anthony and the Johnsons. His music strikes a balance between retro and modern. It can be fun at times but is something I wouldn't revisit.
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Aug 9, 2012
    80
    Most songs manage to name drop Lewis' heart or tears in some way, but despite some melodramatic duds, Confess is still an exciting follow up from an enormous talent.
  2. Aug 3, 2012
    60
    It's difficult to say that there are some great songs on this album, but it's true; unfortunately Lewis fails to take advantage of this fact by lagging behind the innovation and originality of the preceding 80's revivalist movement.
  3. Q Magazine
    Aug 2, 2012
    40
    Too often, these songs feel as though they're being executed with an arched eyebrow, Lewis Jr. peering knowingly from behind the curtain with a nod and a wink. [Aug 2012, p.110]