Engravings - Forest Swords
Engravings Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

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  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the British electronic producer Matthew Barnes.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 4, 2013
    90
    It’s an enchanting odyssey that is steeped in the tantalizing mysticism of the unknown.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Aug 22, 2013
    90
    It’s an album that has facets from across the spectrum of experimental electronic music but, in the hands of the masterful sonic auteur Matthew Barnes, Forest Swords’ music sounds triumphantly singular. This is a very special album.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Aug 27, 2013
    90
    Engravings, his first full-length, evokes a grayness of place so completely that it is utter, that there is no there there because there is only there there.
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 26, 2013
    80
    In short, it has the kind of beauty that sees you playing it, and only it, for the next three weeks.
  5. The Quietus
    Aug 30, 2013
    80
    Where acts like Grouper or Lee Noble seem to be deconstructing song altogether, Barnes seems to be engaged in a more subtle exercise, assembling strands of song formats into elliptical constructions with absolute precision.
  6. Consequence of Sound
    Aug 27, 2013
    80
    Engravings is the sound of a man walking out into the coastline with his headphones on, the epic, Saxon past showing through the fog and playing with the Anglo present’s love of electronic music.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 27, 2013
    70
    The result is a set of remarkable electronic rituals with an endearing, mystical quality.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Bah
    Sep 26, 2013
    10
    This truly is an amazing electronic album; one that combines so many influences, Eastern and Western, past and present. Its sound and the imagery it creates is beautiful, yet at the same time strangely haunting, sort of feels like part of something much greater. My definite favorite from the album would have to be "Friend, You Will Never Learn".… Expand
  2. indiegalaxy10
    Sep 17, 2013
    9
    This beautiful album is an mystical experience, an epic travel to oriental horizons, the sounds are the echoes of a dark landscape a landscape that is rich and beautiful, it is one of the best of this great year!… Expand
  3. adhamhany
    Sep 18, 2013
    8
    One of the finest electronic albums to come out this year. It has a dark and mysterious vibe that i found to be fascinating. Just brilliant. My favorite tracks are: Ljoss, Gathering, The Plumes, and Friend, You Will Never Learn.… Expand

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