Four
by Bloc Party
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Aug 28, 2012
    90
    It turns out to be the best thing they've ever done--yes, even better than Silent Alarm.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Aug 29, 2012
    83
    [Four] checks all the boxes - urgent yelps, nervous rhythms, knife-crease guitars. It's all there, even if your own asymmetrical haircut is no more. [Aug 31, 2012, p.74]
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  3. Alternative Press
    Aug 29, 2012
    80
    The vicious "We're Not Good People" stuns with a pulsing, near-metal urgency that will lead you to act on your darkest urges - prior to playing the album again. And if you're not stupid, you will. [Sept 2012, p.88]
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  5. The Fly (UK)
    Aug 29, 2012
    80
    On Four Bloc Party manage to make their affecting and dizzyingly devilish music sound relevant and exciting again.
  6. Clash Music
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    This combination of sounds and personalities diagnoses the band and album number four with bi-polar disorder. Let's pray they never recover.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    For the most part it's good. Very good.
  8. DIY Magazine
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    Four is better [than debut album, Silent Alarm]. Or at the very least as good.
  9. AllMusic
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    Four may not be as cohesive as Silent Alarm, but it just might be more vital.
  10. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 28, 2012
    80
    At its best this is the sound of a band rediscovering what made them so special in the first place.
  11. The A.V. Club
    Aug 28, 2012
    75
    [Four] reinforces that Bloc Party continues to be one of the most innovative, vibrant bands to emerge in the last decade.
  12. The New York Times
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    The band's new jolt of stylized catharsis, attempt to engage with issues both personal and sociopolitical, and Mr. Okereke does his part to level the field, inflating some and cutting others to size.
  13. CMJ
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    The years spent pursuing other musical projects refreshed Bloc Party, and the unofficial reunion record finds the band making an intense comeback.
  14. Magnet
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    [Four has] the density that made Bloc's angular edge so full, rich and round in the first place. [No.90, p.54]
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  15. Filter
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    Bloc Party is back. Four years on the sidelines seems to have re-energized the lads-their sound is as frenetic as when they left us.
  16. BBC Music
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    Four may be 2012's most exciting guitar album.
  17. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    At its best [Four] excels with a glut of sensitive pop tunes which, although no substitute for exhilarating, provocative post-punk, prove Bloc Party are still capable of depth.
  18. PopMatters
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    A record that's more focused than the last two Bloc Party albums and one which finds the group in top fighting form, its fists balled up and its collective stare cold and unshakable.
  19. Consequence
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    It's a jerky, dark, and layered record, complete with the kind of adept musical craftsmanship the London band first built its name on. On Four, Bloc Party learns the valuable lesson that sometimes the only way to move forward is to go back where you came from.
  20. Rolling Stone
    Aug 28, 2012
    70
    Their best record since their 2005 debut.
  21. Beats Per Minute
    Aug 28, 2012
    65
    Four sounds like an album created by a talented band that finally got back in a room together after a long time apart, and just seemed to put together all the various ideas they've all had without stopping to think too much about them.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 55
  3. Negative: 2 out of 55
  1. EmptyFilmStock
    Sep 18, 2012
    9
    The record that should have gone between 'Silent Alarm' and 'A Weekend in the City', this is a return to basics for the band. It is louder andThe record that should have gone between 'Silent Alarm' and 'A Weekend in the City', this is a return to basics for the band. It is louder and harder than their previous work and has little to none of the over done electronic music Intimacy had. Welcome back Bloc Party.… Full Review »
  2. ghostlight2
    May 24, 2013
    10
    A lot easier to listen to then Intimacy, however seems a little more average/bland than their usual sound. Having said that, there's stillA lot easier to listen to then Intimacy, however seems a little more average/bland than their usual sound. Having said that, there's still really good tunes (Day Four, Leaf Skeleton) and it's markedly better than most of the years other releases. Overall a really solid album, albeit not as diverse and amazing as Silent Alarm of A Weekend in the City.… Full Review »
  3. Vampire25
    Feb 27, 2013
    8
    Four is a return back to form for Bloc Party. They severely disappointed me with Intimacy, but Four quickly reassured me that Bloc PartyFour is a return back to form for Bloc Party. They severely disappointed me with Intimacy, but Four quickly reassured me that Bloc Party learned their lesson from that silly record. There's little to no use of overly-done electronics Intimacy had, and more crunching, melodic guitars. What I really love though are the slower songs. They show maturity in the band and also show a maturity in the vocals. All In All, Four is a welcome back for Bloc Party, and I can't wait for what they put out next. B+… Full Review »
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