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Exile Image
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second full-length release for the British electro-pop duo of Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson.
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Top Track

Blind
Since the day I left you I hear your voice in every sound Since the day I left you I see your face in every crowd It won't go away But every time I... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Mar 19, 2013
    80
    What's clear about Hurts on Exile is how skilled Hutchcraft and Anderson are at seamlessly incorporating their influences, so you can hear the bands' inspirations in every line even as you marvel that this album is like nothing you've heard before.
  2. It's on close personal terms with magnificence.
  3. 70
    Because a grand and fabulous mode of theatre pervades everything about this band, you’re often a few degrees off completely connecting.
  4. Mar 8, 2013
    60
    Luckily, Hutchcraft and keyboardist Adam Anderson are also endowed with that other pomp-rock characteristic--a gift for striding, anthemic choruses that turn even the most overwrought songs into unshakeable earworms.
  5. Uncut
    Mar 12, 2013
    50
    Sadly, torrid synthesiser and billowing melodrama make it impossible to see any wry glances cast by Exile. [Apr 2013, p.73]
  6. Mar 12, 2013
    40
    A chilling example of naked ambition prioritising production style over songwriting substance.
  7. 20
    Innovation, clearly, is not the highest of their priorities. In truth, everything comes a distant second to style.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Mar 18, 2013
    10
    this album is really good. all the songs are somehow magical. there are few of them like somebody to die for which are kinda pathetic but theythis album is really good. all the songs are somehow magical. there are few of them like somebody to die for which are kinda pathetic but they go with the album. it is a lot more darker than happiness. my favorites are exile, sandman, the crow and the road. Expand
  2. Mar 16, 2013
    10
    great album. big departure from thei first work, happiness. it is somewhat funny that the critics continue to criticise hurts while they aregreat album. big departure from thei first work, happiness. it is somewhat funny that the critics continue to criticise hurts while they are full of praises of such bands as one direction. to me this is because today it is better to praise music you perfectly know will sale more than original bands that perhaps are not everybody's cup of tea. it is a little frustrating because inspiration is ignored in favour of market sales Expand
  3. Jul 22, 2013
    10
    They change their sound to a darker/heavier scenario. But the deep songs are still here. The album is divided with the following scheme:They change their sound to a darker/heavier scenario. But the deep songs are still here. The album is divided with the following scheme:
    Track 1: Open the album
    Tracks 2-5: Pop songs (the one that could hit the radio)
    Tracks 6-8: The experiments they tried. The dark/heavy songs.
    Tracks 9-12: Beautiful deep songs.

    Highlights: Somebody To Die For, Blind, The Rope, Help, The Crow.
    Actually, all tracks are excellent, I just tried to reduce the list from 12 to 5. Buy it ASAP.
    Expand
  4. Mar 11, 2013
    8
    Exile is much darker than Happiness, but you would imagine this from the name; a slightly industrial sound with hints of more melancholicExile is much darker than Happiness, but you would imagine this from the name; a slightly industrial sound with hints of more melancholic moments. A heavy sound from hurts this time round, and It must be said it is a great effort! brilliantly written music, brilliantly written songs and lets face it, even the album artwork is beautiful. Exile isn't as good as happiness, and why would it be they spend nearly 5 years on happiness compared to the 2 on exile. all in all an exceptionally good album, its just lacking the class and finesse of happiness Expand
  5. Dec 11, 2016
    7
    A little dark for the sake of being dark at times, but the electro-haunt production is so rich, you can't help but admire it. Hurts haveA little dark for the sake of being dark at times, but the electro-haunt production is so rich, you can't help but admire it. Hurts have selected their style and stuck to it. A cracking and interesting follow up to the incredible 'Happiness'. Expand
  6. Apr 22, 2014
    7
    A very good second album from this band. What shines the most are the melodies and once again the voice of the singer, so haunting andA very good second album from this band. What shines the most are the melodies and once again the voice of the singer, so haunting and beautiful. The worst part are probably the lyrics, they are weak when you look at the album as a whole. The best songs are Miracle, Help and Guilty. Expand
  7. Mar 15, 2013
    5
    Hurts return with a much darker vibe Exile has less electropo and far less innovations than Happiness. It almost seems as the duo is burnedHurts return with a much darker vibe Exile has less electropo and far less innovations than Happiness. It almost seems as the duo is burned out; you get the feeling of "been there, done that" way too often. Perhaps it would have been wise of their part to take a longer break and work out the kinks and come up with something truly innovational... Most fans will devour Exile with happiness, except for the more ambitious ones, who will most likely feel cheated. Expand

See all 10 User Reviews