User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

For the First Time
by
For the First Time Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut full-length release for the British septet was recorded live over seven days with producer Andy Savours.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 8, 2021
    100
    If the interplay between the band’s instruments makes gleeful mincemeat of genre, singing guitarist Isaac Wood’s equally remarkable lyrics regularly float to the top of the mix. Half-spoken, half-sung, they riff on granular scene references (“I told you I loved you in front of Black Midi”) and Gen-Z witticisms, but pack in plenty of timeless tenderness and anomie.
  2. Clash Music
    Feb 1, 2021
    90
    A product of its time, it will unsettle and confuse you, and there are even moments that feel poignant. That is why they will be remembered as an important band, and this album a significant milestone in modern guitar music.
  3. PopMatters
    Feb 5, 2021
    90
    For the First Time maintains a well-tempered intensity refined in its delivery but honest in its angst. Black Country, New Road show us what a "rock band" or "rock outfit" can achieve on their debut. For those bands labeled as experimental, we now have an expectation and a new benchmark.
  4. Mojo
    Feb 1, 2021
    80
    The young seven-piece have since progressed at warp-speed, here passing the full-length test with confidence. [Mar 2021, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. musicOMH.com
    Feb 4, 2021
    80
    Black Country, New Road are no gods, but this inventive and likeable album should earn them a million or so disciples.
  6. Pitchfork
    Feb 9, 2021
    74
    Their portentous crescendos and surges of Jewish klezmer music set the pace, making post-rock sound improbably carnivalesque. That none of their experiments feel gimmicky speaks to a diverse and inquisitive musicianship.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 4, 2021
    40
    It just feels tedious and predictable. Portentous twangs of guitar? Tick. Shivery percussion? Tick. Screeches of feedback? Tick. A frontman who delivers lyrics (rambling prose) in a croaky, squawking gasp that recalls Mark E Smith? Tick.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. TobyT2003
    Feb 7, 2021
    10
    Album blew me away on first listen, but I was disappointed with the lyric changes, particularly in Athens, France. However, the more youAlbum blew me away on first listen, but I was disappointed with the lyric changes, particularly in Athens, France. However, the more you listen and become used to these new lyrics it becomes more familiar and hits all the same boxes they used to and were expected to. A phenomenal album.… Expand
  2. Matteusz
    Dec 11, 2021
    10
    cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool coolcool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool… Expand
  4. BigBeatle
    Feb 5, 2021
    10
    Amazing and fresh. Not much else to say. A very great and outstanding record that you can tell will become a tough competition for any newAmazing and fresh. Not much else to say. A very great and outstanding record that you can tell will become a tough competition for any new bands that follow a similar style. Enjoyed listening to it the first time, and will only grow stronger as time goes on.… Expand
  5. Dear_Watson
    Feb 16, 2021
    9
    This is such an interesting record from a fan stand-point, its kind of hard to write a review on it. Athens, France and Sunglasses have someThis is such an interesting record from a fan stand-point, its kind of hard to write a review on it. Athens, France and Sunglasses have some pretty significant changes compared to the single versions for starters which I for one was not expecting especially since Sunglasses came off as nearly a masterpiece on the single and could have stayed as a strong fronting song. That being said which of the versions are better is kind of hard to pin down. Sunglasses has a more defeated tone at the beginning that transitions into unhinged and gives the song a VERY different message from the single mix. The newly added songs like Track X and Science Fair are great new songs from the band for just casual listening too, and the instrumental track really lets the band show what they can do. Overall its an amazing album, and if you haven't given it a listen through I very much recommend it!… Expand
  6. fahim98
    Oct 8, 2022
    9
    Great album. I really love this thing. I have not heard anything this good in a long time. My favorite tracks are "Sunglasses" and "ScienceGreat album. I really love this thing. I have not heard anything this good in a long time. My favorite tracks are "Sunglasses" and "Science Fair." I think this is an instant classic. This album made my jaw drop to the floor. I hope they keep making music this good. I highly recommend this. Please listen to this. It's so beautiful and anxious. I think the lyrics are also really stunning. I hope they make more music like this.… Expand
  7. bailey-
    Apr 2, 2021
    9
    One of the best albums I've heard in a while, Just banger after banger. The vocals from Isaac Wood are some of the most unique I have heardOne of the best albums I've heard in a while, Just banger after banger. The vocals from Isaac Wood are some of the most unique I have heard from any album I have heard.… Expand
  8. YTCODYHIH
    Feb 5, 2021
    3
    There is nothing original, exciting or particularly intelligent about this record. Boy, are they annoying though. They are trying so hard toThere is nothing original, exciting or particularly intelligent about this record. Boy, are they annoying though. They are trying so hard to be all of those things, it took some getting through for me.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2021, Music

    The Freshman 15: 2021's Best Debut Albums

    The Freshman 15: 2021's Best Debut Albums Image
    Published: December 17, 2021
    We count down the 15 best debut albums of the past year, ranked by Metascore.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best Album of 2021
76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »