Future This
by The Big Pink
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Jan 16, 2012
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 33
  3. Negative: 3 out of 33
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 11, 2012
    83
    The U.K. duo's latest, produced by indie kingmaker Paul Epworth (Adele), updates the best of '80s shoegaze with breakbeat rhythms and arena-worthy choruses.
  2. Mojo
    Jan 31, 2012
    80
    This is top-drawer pop, ambitious and thrillingly contemporary. [Feb 2012, p.94
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  3. Filter
    Feb 7, 2012
    76
    Future This delivers the same formula, but does so with perhaps one too many tracks.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Jan 17, 2012
    75
    It's uncomplicated and unfettered, a perfectly fine album.
  6. AllMusic
    Feb 17, 2012
    70
    Perhaps keen to avoid their one-hit wonder status, follow-up Future This eschews their original experimental ambitions by shamelessly attempting to repeat its success.
  7. PopMatters
    Jan 19, 2012
    70
    It largely succeeds.
  8. CMJ
    Jan 17, 2012
    70
    The Big Pink has put out an electro-rock album that does not exactly redefine the future of music like the album title may suggest, but it does redefine the Big Pink.
  9. Under The Radar
    Jan 17, 2012
    70
    Future This is a shift to a cleansed, more professional-minded sound, capturing their flares in short, distinct bursts.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Jan 13, 2012
    70
    As the sound of a band still in development mode and not quite sure of their identity, Future This offers a lucid insight into where their next sonic adventure may take them.
  11. The Quietus
    Jan 9, 2012
    70
    Future This is a coherent, uniform proposition, a proper album, rather than a melange of posturing and botched experimentation, as was the case with A Brief History Of Love.
  12. BBC Music
    Jan 9, 2012
    70
    [The closing track is] evidence of a big pink heart and of these musicians' ability to transcend their beats-based mindset. In other words, time for the boys to really future this.
  13. Clash Music
    Jan 9, 2012
    70
    While offering more of the same, nevertheless does it with sparkle and verve.
  14. Paste Magazine
    Jan 17, 2012
    69
    It demands attention, and it has just enough glitch and grime to remind you that it's not 30 years old.
  15. The Boston Phoenix
    Jan 10, 2012
    63
    Future This is ultimately more melodic than its laborious predecessor. But around the "ballads" in the second half, you start longing for a point.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. patopeters
    Jan 20, 2012
    9
    Great record and better than their debut album. "Hit the ground" and "Stay gold" are their best songs yet and this sophomore release isGreat record and better than their debut album. "Hit the ground" and "Stay gold" are their best songs yet and this sophomore release is surely worth the listen.… Full Review »
  2. Kiyoshi
    Jan 20, 2012
    9
    I don't know why there's so much hate for this record, I really don't. I can see where most people wouldn't say it's better than A BriefI don't know why there's so much hate for this record, I really don't. I can see where most people wouldn't say it's better than A Brief History of Love but really, it's not some completely bad album that's not worth checking out. I really loved it and I don't get why there's such universal dislike.

    I'd even go as far as to say it might be a little better than their first album. It doesn't have a "Velvet" but it's more consistent and well developed. It's something new, it's worth listening to.    … Full Review »
  3. maxjtotsky
    Jan 20, 2012
    2
    'Future This' is an unoriginal attempt at recreating the success of the Big Pink's one chart hit 'Dominoes' and every song fails at that.'Future This' is an unoriginal attempt at recreating the success of the Big Pink's one chart hit 'Dominoes' and every song fails at that. There is very little to like about this album, including the fact that there is no good song, and instead it sounds like a bunch of people who have no idea what they are doing. This album redefines awkwardness and ends up becoming the perfect example of what you don't want to do on your second album.… Full Review »
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