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Cracker Island
by
Cracker Island Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

  • Summary: The eighth full-length release for animated supergroup Gorillaz features guest appearances from Bad Bunny, Beck, Pharcyde's Bootie Brown, Stevie Nicks, Adeleye Omotayo, Tame Impala, and Thundercat.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Consequence
    Feb 7, 2023
    100
    Eight albums in, Gorillaz are still capable of producing a fresh, rich album that spans genres and moods, with so many different textures and sonic fabrics that they have cultivated a musical universe of their own.
  2. Mojo
    Feb 7, 2023
    80
    The likes of Beck and Stevie Nicks play supportive rather than starring roles, and the sonic flavours here recall the noir clubby pop of Humanz (2017). The woofer-pumping reggaeton of Tormenta however sees Albarn step aside to let Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny shine. [Mar 2023, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Rolling Stone
    Feb 21, 2023
    80
    It’s the easiest-going and most purely pleasurable Gorillaz album since their opening one-two punch, 20-some years ago. Guests feel purposeful, filtered into the indie-funk melange with ease.
  4. The Telegraph (UK)
    Feb 24, 2023
    80
    Thirty years on, Albarn sounds just as dissatisfied with the state of the modern world, yet he still appears to have at least a cartoon finger on its pulse.
  5. AllMusic
    Feb 27, 2023
    80
    Balancing bright, colorful electro-pop with a slight air of melancholy is hardly a new trick for Albarn yet there's a clean, efficient energy propelling Cracker Island that gives the album a fresh pulse.
  6. Exclaim
    Feb 24, 2023
    70
    Cracker Island is the most focused and least eclectic instalment in the band's discography — and for that reason, it absolutely breezes by.
  7. Beats Per Minute
    Mar 2, 2023
    45
    Cracker Island’s forgettable, milquetoast assembly line of tracks – though crisply and professionally engineered – proves that having it all shouldn’t always mean using it all.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 37
  3. Negative: 3 out of 37
  1. joaogabriel_lf
    Feb 24, 2023
    10
    Very solid and enjoyable album. Silent Running is one of the best Gorillaz songs until now. Another fantastic job from Damon Albarn.
  2. tomatatian
    Mar 6, 2023
    10
    Maravilloso trabajo de Gorillaz que ingresa en el canon de sus tres primeros álbumes en cuanto a genialidad, profundidad, coherencia yMaravilloso trabajo de Gorillaz que ingresa en el canon de sus tres primeros álbumes en cuanto a genialidad, profundidad, coherencia y consistencia. El disco crece con cada escucha y cada canción brilla por sí misma. Es cuestión de dar lugar a la propuesta de Damon, no sobreponerse a ella, no exigirle: simplemente aceptar su invitación a navegar por éste album compacto que ha compuesto con notable lucidez y espacio. Mención especial a la controvertida canción con Bad Bunny, una pieza calmada y maravillosa, donde el puertoriqueño brilla gracias a la sutileza de Albarn de elevarlo y darle el marco necesario para que su particular forma de rapear, su cadencia y su singular tono ayuden a ocasionar en la pieza el tinte de dulzura y ensueño que tiene. Enamora en cada escucha.

    (fb: tomi tatián)    … Expand
  4. MnM
    Mar 1, 2023
    9
    An exceptional deviation from the usual Gorillaz release. Captivating if given chance. Closer to the Rilling Stone review than the SlantAn exceptional deviation from the usual Gorillaz release. Captivating if given chance. Closer to the Rilling Stone review than the Slant critique. Hopefully, there will be remixes.… Expand
  5. MrClanka
    Feb 28, 2023
    8
    Quite solid really. My only gripe of the songs is that they sound kind of samey, especially in some of the instrumentals but otherwise it'sQuite solid really. My only gripe of the songs is that they sound kind of samey, especially in some of the instrumentals but otherwise it's excellent. I don't get people saying that the Bad Bunny collab is out of place, sounded quite in tune with the other songs and it's a straight up BOP. Although some parts may be "boring" the amount of bangers in this album keep it interesting indeed.… Expand
  6. devgre
    Feb 28, 2023
    8
    Another strong and catchy offering from everyone's favorite virtual band! Care was taken to refine the cream of the crop, hitting fans withAnother strong and catchy offering from everyone's favorite virtual band! Care was taken to refine the cream of the crop, hitting fans with the best of the new material that can be just as good as more recent sound machine offerings.… Expand
  7. sammyanthony
    Feb 24, 2023
    7
    Funny that all the magic and trips climax mostly in the singles, and the others are just fillers that fade away quicker than smokes.
  8. remdotco
    Feb 24, 2023
    1
    The music feels soul-less and repetitive with no artistic intent, the whole album feels like it could just be one big song because the songsThe music feels soul-less and repetitive with no artistic intent, the whole album feels like it could just be one big song because the songs sound so similar, the whole album just feels like an overhyped cashgrab on nostalgia… Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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