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Cosmogramma - Flying Lotus
User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 61
  3. Negative: 3 out of 61

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  1. jfred7
    Jan 5, 2011
    10
    This is one of the best electronic albums to come along in years. FlyLo blends dubstep, IDM, jazz, video game sounds, and god knows how many other styles into something new and unique. On top of that, Cosmogramma is arguably the most cohesive, immersive album of any genre to come out this year. This is brainy and innovative music, but it's also incredibly fun once you wrap your head around it. My pick for the album of 2010.… Expand
  2. DJ99X
    Sep 30, 2010
    10
    Only discovered Flying Lotus this year. What a discovery! He has a very unique style of music. Cosmogramma is one of the best albums I have ever heard. It is so complex, but oh-so beautiful. I can definitely pick up some Radiohead influences in this album (not just because Thom Yorke stars in one of the tracks). Drips//Aunties Harp is a much prettier version of Myxamatosis. Great album! Top 3 of the year for sure… Expand
  3. cosmogramma
    Jul 15, 2011
    9
    A masterpiece of sound, blending four-on-the-floor drums with jazz, among a host of diverse influences. The album is cohesive as a whole, with each track blending into the other, but each track stands alone as well. A true step forward in electronica; the only reason I rated it a is because I believe FlyLo can do better. This is hard to describe, just listen to (youtube): Zodiac **** Do the Astral Plane, Recoiled (for a taste)… Expand
  4. wololooo
    Mar 12, 2012
    10
    Cosmogramma really brought Flying Lotus to the forefront of the IDM/downtempo scene, and for good reason. It really is a melting pot of genres, bringing together jazz, funk, hip-hop and garage to create one of the most diverse albums of recent years. Guest appearances from Thundercat and Thom Yorke add to the fun. Even if you don't enjoy the album as a whole, there's something here for just about everyone.… Expand
  5. j30
    Dec 6, 2011
    6
    Sensory overload is how I'd describe this record from the California based producer Steven Ellison. There are certainly highs and lows, all happening within seconds of each other. Sometimes it works, but for the most part it's a mess not worth picking up.
  6. Ricko
    Dec 19, 2011
    7
    If your into your cutting edge electronica this is great. If not give it a skip. I'm not fanatical about this genre but at the same time I enjoy a bit of it. I think this record is over rated - it is a good album but not so sure about the rave reviews it's gotten. As the Q reviews says - Radiohead fans should exercise caution :-)
  7. keep_yr_bias
    Mar 16, 2012
    10
    I've liked Flying Lotus for a while, but Cosmogramma is without question his best piece of work yet. 1983 and Los Angeles were great, but they didn't work as albums nearly as well as Cosmogramma does. There really isn't a better way to play this album than from front to back. Sure, certain tracks stand out and can easily be skipped to, but it takes away from the full effect of the album. This is an album's album... not for all you cornballs out there who judge albums by how good their "singles" are. The first three tracks are pretty sporadic and instantly suck you in to the album, but the album doesn't really pick up steam until Intro/Cosmic Drama. Considering it's called "Intro" it makes sense. This track sets the tone for the rest of the album, and if you aren't officially pulled in by the next track "Zodiac S***" than your eardrums are tainted. There are several influences that Flying Lotus uses, so it is impossible to put any of this album in to a one specific genre. The heaviest influence is jazz, as there are plenty of horns, but more importantly the song structures mimic jazz quite a bit. Jazz is all about the unexpected and switching gears at will. Cosmogramma consistently does this, so good luck trying to identify individual songs once the album hits the halfway mark. Other influences include hip-hop, dub step, electronic, and even classical music, so I guess you could call this an "experimental" album. This album is an intoxicating experience. The middle portion of "Arkesty", "Mmmm Hmm", and "Do the Astral Plane" is excellent and shows how well FlyLo can blend songs together so effortlessly. "Do the Astral Plane" is my personal favorite track and is without question the one track on the album that makes you want to dance your a$$ off. There are only three tracks with guest vocalists and they're all excellent. "And the World Laughs With You" features Thom Yorke, "Mmmm Hmmm" features Thundercat, and the 2nd to last track "Table Tennis" features, in my opinion, the best vocalist match in Laura Darlington. If that track doesn't lift you in to some sort of spiritual plane, than nothing will. It even uses a sample of a ping pong ball volley. The closing track "Galaxy in Janaki" is the perfect swan song, and even at 18 tracks, leaves you wanting more. This is as close to flawless as an album can get. Completely original and always surprising. One of my essential albums.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Apr 9, 2012
    91
    Part of its delight is how naturally the disparate parts fit together, but another part is how they add up to phantasmagoria if you let your attention wander (and don't be a tight-ass‑-you should).
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  2. BBC Music
    80
    Because in constantly mutating just when you begin to pin it down, drawing everything around in before rearranging atoms before your very eyes, Cosmogramma proves itself time and time again as mind-meltingly boundless as a black hole.
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  3. Clash Music
    80
    Dense and obtuse it may be but those who follow this most intense sonic explorer will be rewarded the greatest.
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