Elysium
by Pet Shop Boys
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Prefix Magazine
    Sep 19, 2012
    60
    [There] are only the few standouts on an album otherwise comprised of facile dance tunes with overwritten lyrics.
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 14, 2012
    60
    Elysium is an interesting, sour, and insider-aimed dispatch from backstage, interrupted by some big moments that sound entirely commissioned.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 10, 2012
    60
    Just another solid Pet Shop Boys album.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 10, 2012
    60
    Their introspective, mainly mid-tempo 11th album is a massive foamy middle-finger to retromania, running elegantly from jangly indie to kraut jabs.
  6. Q Magazine
    Sep 6, 2012
    60
    Quarter-hearted anthems such as Winner fail to recapture the desperate glamour and delicate optimism of their best work, making Elysium the definition of a mixed bag. [Oct 2012, p.104]
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  7. The Guardian
    Sep 6, 2012
    60
    Their 11th album is a peculiar listen. Half of it harks back to 1990's reflective masterpiece, Behaviour, with songs about ageing (Invisible) and escape (Breathing Space) exerting poignant pulls... The other half, however, feels bitter and flippant.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Sep 6, 2012
    60
    The lasting impression remains one of an unruly middle child, difficult to love, but unmistakably bearing choice hallmarks of its older siblings.
  9. Pitchfork
    Sep 25, 2012
    54
    Tennant's mature gift as a lyricist is for sentimentality tempered by slyness, and he pulls that off a few times... Too much of Elysium, though, misplaces its subtlety.
  10. PopMatters
    Sep 20, 2012
    50
    Elysium is woefully short on what Tennant and Lowe do best, which is disarmingly sharp pop songs that stick in your head but also leave you thinking afterward. There are some good ideas at play here, for sure, but neither the music nor the lyrics do them justice.
  11. Under The Radar
    Sep 6, 2012
    50
    New record Elysium finds them sounding once again like proverbial fish out of water, only with far less aplomb. [Aug/Sep 2012, p.113]
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  12. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 7, 2012
    40
    Elysium is bookended by two of the best songs the Pet Shop Boys have written in years, but flags badly in between.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. MnM
    Sep 22, 2012
    9
    A sublime release and a very strong representation of their storied catalog. Songs range from laid-back funk to pure pop and few of theA sublime release and a very strong representation of their storied catalog. Songs range from laid-back funk to pure pop and few of the entries go astray. Their relevance over several decades is a testament to their unequaled talent.… Full Review »
  2. PSB1962
    Sep 12, 2012
    10
    This is one of The PSB's most beautiful cds. very melodic, thought there are a few up beat songs. I am their biggest fan, and this cd doesThis is one of The PSB's most beautiful cds. very melodic, thought there are a few up beat songs. I am their biggest fan, and this cd does not let me down me in the least! A must have!… Full Review »
  3. Thenewone
    Jun 7, 2018
    8
    Interesting listening, of course isn't the best album of PSB but it isn't the worst, it's a interesting listening sometimes amazing listening.Interesting listening, of course isn't the best album of PSB but it isn't the worst, it's a interesting listening sometimes amazing listening.

    isn't a normal pop album, it's like Pet shop boys, tryin to do Ambient songs, in a way more dry that they do in the album Behaviour (1990).

    Ego Music is a song that didn't work.

    the others songs all work but "Hold on" "Your early stuff" it's kind of song that some like some hated.    … Full Review »
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