User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Heard It in a Past Life
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Heard It in a Past Life Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 122 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length major label release for the singer-songwriter features contributions from such artists as Rostam Batmanglij, Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, and Ricky Reed.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Alaska
I was walking through icy streams that took my breath away Moving slowly through westward water over glacial plains And I walked off you And I walked... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Consequence
    Jan 11, 2019
    83
    It’s clear that Rogers took her time to create a project that encompassed her journey thus far and is bursting with energy and daring you to dance. More so, she doesn’t stray from slower, emotional ballads like “Past Life”, a track that bears a resounding similarity to early Stevie Nicks, proving the duality of her craft. If anything, this record is a formal announcement: Maggie Rogers is here to stay.
  2. Clash Music
    Jan 17, 2019
    80
    It sticks in the mind for a good while after and just keeps bringing you back in with fantastic production, brilliant pop songwriting and a central personality as easy to like and support as any on the current music scene.
  3. Variety
    Jan 22, 2019
    80
    The Kurstin tracks are as irresistible as you’d expect if you know his track record, but the assortment of other co-producers who drift in for a track or two also serve her well and know enough to place the beauty of her voice starkly in the forefront.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Jan 22, 2019
    79
    The charts are starved for something real and down-to-earth, and her songs, while heavily produced in comparison to some of her folksier beginnings, have an earnestness to them that can’t be fabricated. Rogers’ career may have first sparked on the internet, but now it’s a fire burning IRL.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Jan 25, 2019
    63
    Rogers is listed as coproducer throughout, but her distinctiveness only comes through when Kurstin and some of his other high-profile production accomplices (Kid Harpoon, Ricky Reed) take the day off. ... In contrast, Kurstin--with Rogers listed as a co-conspirator--swamps many of the remaining tracks in virtual choirs of wordless backing vocals and squiggling, squirming keyboard and synthesizer textures.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jan 23, 2019
    60
    Heard It in a Past Life is evidence of Rogers’ ambition and potential, but it is proof, too, that you can’t bottle lightning.
  7. The Guardian
    Jan 18, 2019
    40
    Rogers’ elegant knack for production is subsumed by more prosaic emotional balladry on her debut, with lyrics that rely too heavily on imagery of light and dark.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. petcheeta
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Maggie Rogers's debut album is already one of the best project you're going to listen this whole year. Her creative way of tell a story insideMaggie Rogers's debut album is already one of the best project you're going to listen this whole year. Her creative way of tell a story inside melodies is actually her most powerful way of conquer our hearts with her well-produced sound. Since songs we've already know ("Alaska" and "On+Off") to singles we respect and sing with our souls out ("Fallingwater" and "Light On"), the album gain strength and keep on focus all the time. Also I hope "The Knife", "Retrogade" and/or "Burnign" to be the projects' future singles. Can I say it's perfect? Yes, I can.… Expand
  2. DUI_
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Light On, Burning and Past Life are my favorite songs from Maggie's debut album. Yet, I'm in love with the full album.
  4. anhslondon
    Apr 17, 2019
    10
    this album is a whole brand new thing happened in this era. So different from pop nowadays, i can feel 70s pop vibes mix a little countrythis album is a whole brand new thing happened in this era. So different from pop nowadays, i can feel 70s pop vibes mix a little country That makes it unique. It's her debut album and i'm appreciated that… Expand
  5. HoldOn
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    With Greg Krustin producing and Maggie Roggers herself wrigint, it couldn't be less than a pop perfection, just it! Fave songs: The Knife,With Greg Krustin producing and Maggie Roggers herself wrigint, it couldn't be less than a pop perfection, just it! Fave songs: The Knife, Light On, Alaska, Back In My Body, Burning, Retrogade, Past Life and Fallingwater. ♥… Expand
  6. stanley834
    Mar 5, 2019
    9
    Maggie Rogers manages to share her personal life through 12 songs with outstanding and stellar productions in her debut album. A combinationMaggie Rogers manages to share her personal life through 12 songs with outstanding and stellar productions in her debut album. A combination of folk, dance, indie pop, and synthpop really gets you invested in this amazing record. Glad that she was included in the BBC Sound of 2017 longlist.… Expand
  7. Tbone413
    Sep 21, 2021
    9
    So consistently enjoyable. I sometimes wish Maggie got more creative more often, her creativity in fallingwater should be replicated moreSo consistently enjoyable. I sometimes wish Maggie got more creative more often, her creativity in fallingwater should be replicated more often imo. But it doesn’t have a single bad song and has plenty of great ones and great moments. You couldn’t consider it perfect but it’s pretty damn good.… Expand
  8. conorcd
    Jan 18, 2019
    2
    Sometimes Maggie Rogers manages to create a hook that is appealing, but more often than not, her music is uninspired and lacks uniqueness. ISometimes Maggie Rogers manages to create a hook that is appealing, but more often than not, her music is uninspired and lacks uniqueness. I remember watching Pharrell react to Maggie Roger's rather normal song "Alaska" with teary eyes at the NYU school of music, as he claimed it was unlike anything he had ever heard (if you haven't seen the video it is easy to find on youtube). I wasn't sure if Pharrell saw the potential she had as a profitable and approachable musician in the industry, or if he genuinely thought her music was unique. Either way, her music is not as special as people say it is, and it doesn't compete on the level of other albums receiving similar user scores.… Expand

See all 31 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. 2019 Preview, Music

    2019 Music Preview: 88 Notable Upcoming Albums

    2019 Music Preview: 88 Notable Upcoming Albums Image
    Published: January 15, 2019
    Listen to tracks from the most noteworthy albums scheduled for release this winter, plus see which major artists are expected to release new music later in 2019.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2019

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 »