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The Dream
by
The Dream Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length release for the British indie rock trio Alt-J was produced by Charlie Andrew.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Consequence
    Feb 11, 2022
    83
    The elaborate instrumentation and extended runtimes of their earlier oeuvre have returned, but they’re now justified with greater attention to pacing, mood, and overall cohesiveness.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 9, 2022
    80
    The album is - as expected - a well-crafted, sonically flawless work. What it lacks in heart (as with all of their albums, there's very little humanity in the sound or the lyrics) it more than makes up for in style and finesse, and it continues the band's run of producing quality records.
  3. PopMatters
    Feb 9, 2022
    80
    Indie’s most eclectic ensemble are not slowing down so much as aging gracefully. The Dream confirms that it’s worth aging with them.
  4. AllMusic
    Feb 11, 2022
    80
    Their best since 2014's This Is All Yours, The Dream finds Alt-J in top form. Despite being so lyrically death-obsessed, the beauty and warmth coursing through the album make it full of life and absolutely human.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Feb 14, 2022
    80
    With The Dream, we see a maturing band dip deep into their emotions, immersing us not only in art and culture but in their dreams, and it is utterly brilliant.
  6. Under The Radar
    Mar 2, 2022
    70
    With The Dream, we see a band dig deep into themselves and mature as artists.
  7. Uncut
    Feb 9, 2022
    60
    If a few concessions are made to mainstream mores here, it still works on its own idiosyncratic terms. [Mar 2022, p.25]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. JSkittles
    Feb 11, 2022
    10
    Such a solid album. Cover to cover. Get Better and Chicago are golden in particular
  2. Halderkevin
    Feb 14, 2022
    10
    alt-J has come back in full creative force with this masterpiece of a record. It’s cool, wistful, lush, precise and well thought-out. Thealt-J has come back in full creative force with this masterpiece of a record. It’s cool, wistful, lush, precise and well thought-out. The lyrics are weird, brilliant, and thought provoking. Everything from the writing to the instrumentals is genius. What they have created is something more than music. It’s an experience - as all true art should be. Their music is experimental. It almost seems completely unrehearsed and unplanned - but in the best way. It unpredictably moves and flows and changes effortlessly - just like the title suggests - like a Dream.… Expand
  4. reck0ner
    Feb 16, 2022
    10
    The Art Desk - 100 (https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-alt-j-dream)
    Dork - 100 (https://readdork.com/albums/alt-j-the-dream/)
    Loud and    The Art Desk - 100 (https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-alt-j-dream)
    Dork - 100 (https://readdork.com/albums/alt-j-the-dream/)
    Loud and Quiet - 90 (https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/alt-j-the-dream/)
    Gigwise - 80 (https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3415659/album-review--alt-j---the-dream)    … Expand
  5. Mikecritic
    Feb 14, 2022
    9
    Really very extremely positively basically technically figuratively honestly great.
  6. spacemanrecords
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    Very solid and highly entertaining listen. I simply love the incorporation of the children's choir on many songs here... Not to mention theVery solid and highly entertaining listen. I simply love the incorporation of the children's choir on many songs here... Not to mention the incredible operatic singing of the line, "Philadelphia".

    The classic Alt J type harmonies are here and they are pretty as ever. The instrumentation seems to take a new direction for the band, that I truly fell in love with... The "storylines" on Spotify that described each song certainly helped to immerse me in what feeling the band is going for on each track.

    While I feel that there are so many unique and admirable ideas and inspirations on this record, its biggest set back, might be a slight lack of cohesion as a whole.

    Shout out this band! I went back and listened to "RELAXER" & "This Is All" Yours again, and their whole discography still holds up so well!

    Favorite tracks are, Bane, U&ME, Philadelphia, and Walk A Mile.

    I'm Giving this a STRONG 8    … Expand
  7. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 30, 2022
    7
    The fourth studio album "The Dream" by English indie rock band alt-J is an eclectic, well-crafted and sonically flawless record with dreamy,The fourth studio album "The Dream" by English indie rock band alt-J is an eclectic, well-crafted and sonically flawless record with dreamy, warm, precious melodies. After a five-year break, the trio from Leeds brings together various nuances of the indie genre with a drive for perfection.

    The sheer infinite amount of instruments, sounds and ideas is difficult to grasp at first. But the longer the album proceeds, the more you realize the style and finesse that lies dormant in this treasure. Overall, a great, wide ranging collection from a maturing band that you sometimes wish had more musical punch.

    My favorites:
    "U&ME"
    "Walk a Mile"
    "Hard Drive Gold"
    "Get Better"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 30, 2022    … Expand
  8. Luffy1503
    May 22, 2022
    7
    Alt-J's latest album 'The Dream' makes for an enjoyable, easy listen, but towards to the back half of the album becomes a lil to complacentAlt-J's latest album 'The Dream' makes for an enjoyable, easy listen, but towards to the back half of the album becomes a lil to complacent and struggles to pick up its pace before finally ending. Personal favorites include: Philadelphia / U&ME / The Actor / Hard Drive Gold / Bane… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2022

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