Exit - Shugo Tokumaru
User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 52
  3. Negative: 2 out of 52

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  1. LukeK.
    Sep 30, 2008
    10
    A truly amazing album, can easily be counted as the best album of the year. psychedelic yet beautiful and fun.
  2. WesM.
    Oct 3, 2008
    9
    I don't even dig J-Pop (though in fairness, that's a way-too-over-general label), but I rather enjoyed it; catchy and original.
  3. EmilyW.
    Sep 30, 2008
    9
    Gorgeous album. Let's find a couple more reviews and get this thing in the top thirty of the year!
  4. ZacaríasYMore
    Feb 21, 2009
    10
    Beautiful, original, he's the best singer from Japan, perfect, he's a star, the best album of the year.
  5. MikeM
    Dec 8, 2008
    10
    Wes, just because it's Japanese doesn't make it J-Pop. this is a beautiful album through and through. so layered, yet so subtle. soft vocals and amazing instrumental depth. perhaps my favorite of 2008.
  6. MattA.
    Sep 27, 2008
    9
    This is such a beatiful album. This was one of my top ten records last year when it was originally released in Japan. Some have described Shugo's style as being similar to the Shins but that is not giving this guy nearly enough credit. If that fact that he sings in Japanese scares you just remember that you were willing to get over the language barrier for Sigur Ros so you should be willing to do it for an equally wonderful artist.… Expand
  7. KateS
    Feb 22, 2009
    10
    Best album of the year so far, beautiful, georgeus and original record, thanks Tokumaru-San.
  8. AndreaG
    Mar 17, 2009
    10
    Wow! a great album from this japanese musician, sounds like the Beatles and is masterpiece of pop and folk music, beaufiful, a lot of emotions. Recommended Tracks: Highlight songs (track pics): The guitars of "Parachute", the dark Katamari-psychedelia from "Green Rain", the sense of "Clocca" and "Hidamari". Album's Centerpiece: The magic of "La La Radio", there are many emotions in this song, maybe the song of you can't believe of exist in this world now, a wolderful centerpiece of folk pop rock music, easily THE BEST SONG FROM 2008 so far!! over Deerhunter, Fleet Foxes, MGMT, TV On The Radio and another ones. This is in my opinion THE BEST ALBUM FROM 2008. Finally, i'm so sad, because music that is popular these days sucks. It's more about image than talent, he's a genious, original, a master, and It's the obscure, almost unknown people who are usually the most musically gifted. The world needs more of these incredible and beautiful music !!! Hands down!… Expand
  9. AnthonyM
    Nov 26, 2008
    9
    If John Lennon were a contemporary, young, Japanese guy with a laptop and a mess of instruments I could easily see the record he might come up with sounding something like this. A variety-bag of ear candy.
  10. WilliamN
    Feb 25, 2009
    10
    The best album of the year!!, He's a genious, hands down.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. cokemachineglow
    80
    This is music that, thanks to the global marketplace, its own ingenuity, and Youtube, moves beyond boundaries of nation and language, sound and image, rationalization and emotion.
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  2. Pitchfork
    80
    There are enough instrumental interludes and understated melodies here to make the record a grower, and it eases into the sunset for much of its back half.
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  3. PopMatters
    90
    Tokumaru’s music, it’s now well established, is quirky but profound, foreign but still universal.
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