Heard It in a Past Life
by Maggie Rogers
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jan 18, 2019
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 122 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 103 out of 122
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 122
  3. Negative: 9 out of 122
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  1. nutella
    May 23, 2019
    10
    If you’ve come in search of big room bangers and Billboard chart toppers, don’t bother staying for this album. And please, don’t write a review.

    If you’ve come in search of musical fabric authentically woven from broken heartstrings, do stick around. And please, do write a review. It’s hard to explain in words with this one because it really is an album that you have to just    If you’ve come in search of big room bangers and Billboard chart toppers, don’t bother staying for this album. And please, don’t write a review.

    If you’ve come in search of musical fabric authentically woven from broken heartstrings, do stick around. And please, do write a review.

    It’s hard to explain in words with this one because it really is an album that you have to just experience end to end to fully understand. Let the wrenching songs break you. Let the warming songs heal you. Allow yourself to be swept away and get used to that feeling, because I guarantee it won’t be the last time Maggie Rogers will do so.

    I am calling it now: Maggie Rogers will be nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys and very well could win the entire category. Few debut albums I’ve heard in my lifetime have the quality Maggie showcases here.    … Expand
  2. diasdeluiza
    Jun 8, 2019
    10
    This is an amazing debut album by an unique artist that is Maggie Rogers. Can’t wait to hear more.
  3. sammyanthony
    Feb 13, 2019
    4
    Heard It in a Past Life is overall a crude, abruptly executed left-field pop project. Those production elements were all so selfish, wanted to take dominance, resulted in nothing but extreme dissonance. There's also no stopping in Maggie Rogers' mundane response, not even letting the mess to shut up. It's overproduced.

    Yet things can get better; the moments when the modest Alaska, On +    Heard It in a Past Life is overall a crude, abruptly executed left-field pop project. Those production elements were all so selfish, wanted to take dominance, resulted in nothing but extreme dissonance. There's also no stopping in Maggie Rogers' mundane response, not even letting the mess to shut up. It's overproduced.

    Yet things can get better; the moments when the modest Alaska, On + Off, and Fallingwater start to kick in. For the best, please kick Greg Kurstin out of your next project, Maggie.    … Expand
  4. 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 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 gainMaggie 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
  5. Cittadel
    Jan 21, 2019
    6
    The album starts off strong with Give A Little, which sounds a lot like a HAIM outtake. This upbeat pop song is then followed by Overnight and The Knife, two songs I almost immediately forgot about as soon as they ended and Alaska started. This song that went viral a few years ago, still is one of Maggie's stand-out tracks and I can't help but feel like it completely overshadows almostThe album starts off strong with Give A Little, which sounds a lot like a HAIM outtake. This upbeat pop song is then followed by Overnight and The Knife, two songs I almost immediately forgot about as soon as they ended and Alaska started. This song that went viral a few years ago, still is one of Maggie's stand-out tracks and I can't help but feel like it completely overshadows almost every other song on the album.

    Light On and Past Life are easily forgettable too. They're both quite decent, but not distinctive enough to distinguish them from some of the other new tracks. Things get better when Say It, On + Off (which was already featured on Maggie's 2017 EP Now That The Light Is Fading) and Fallingwater start, all of which are outstanding tracks and offer their own respective, more experimental contributions to the album's sound.

    Unfortunately, the monotonous sound the album kind of suffers from pops up again when Retrogade and Burning kick in. Back In My Body is the album's last track and is, however, a great closer, making sure Heard It In A Past Life doesn't leave too much of a nagging aftertaste.    … Expand
  6. amandaaraujo_
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    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.
  7. 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, Light On, Alaska, Back In My Body, Burning, Retrogade, Past Life and Fallingwater. ♥
  8. ryanora
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    It's so beautiful how this album manages to put together the feelings and sensations into one, uniquely beautiful
  9. keepmesane
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Absolutely incredible and original album. It gave me a whole range of feelings and emotions.
  10. jaylynn
    Feb 14, 2019
    10
    Heard It In A Past Life is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is evident that Maggie values artistry within this album and has not only made a cohesive body of work, but something that I can listen to on repeat and enjoy fully. Especially for a debut, this exceeds all my expectations. Favorites are Burning, Overnight, Alaska, and Fallingwater.
  11. Kiva
    Jan 18, 2019
    9
    Believe the hype. Maggie Rogers has currently one of the best voices in the industry and it shows. All the songs are entertaining and it's an album you're going to replay for a long time. I just love how pure her voice is. Congrats Maggie ! Best Songs:Believe the hype. Maggie Rogers has currently one of the best voices in the industry and it shows. All the songs are entertaining and it's an album you're going to replay for a long time. I just love how pure her voice is. Congrats Maggie ! Best Songs: Alaska.Give A Little, Past Life, Burning,… Expand
  12. thaleslucas
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    “Rogers rises to the occasion, making herself and her mixture of emotions the anchor of songs whose music moves at an unending pace.” – Rolling Stones.
  13. 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.
  14. Mayfieldja
    Feb 4, 2019
    8
    Maggie Rogers has one hell of a debut album with HIIAPL. Rogers layers an Indie/Folk vocal styling on top of classic synth pop and if don’t find yourself dancing by the end of its runtime, I would be incredibly surprised. Dance tunes are stronger than the ballads, but it’s phenomenally well produced and I’m officially excited to hear more from Maggie Rogers. 8.5 out of 10.
    Tracks to    Maggie Rogers has one hell of a debut album with HIIAPL. Rogers layers an Indie/Folk vocal styling on top of classic synth pop and if don’t find yourself dancing by the end of its runtime, I would be incredibly surprised. Dance tunes are stronger than the ballads, but it’s phenomenally well produced and I’m officially excited to hear more from Maggie Rogers. 8.5 out of 10.
    Tracks to Enjoy: “Overnight”, “The Knife”, & “Retrograde”    … Expand
  15. leofxx26
    Jan 18, 2019
    10
    I am almost 18 years old, I was in a very toxic relationship, I couldn't explain by myself how I felt until I heard this piece of art.
    I just felt this album like I was living in Maggie's life.
  16. Hsherman
    Jan 18, 2019
    9
    This is a solid debut. She has a strong voice and I think she has a future in the industry. Overall this is pretty good, it spans many different moods and styles and I think I will be adding this to my vinyl collection. Lots of cool instrumentation and use of reverb on the tracks.
  17. 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. 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'tSometimes 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
  18. MrAustinFine
    Jun 13, 2019
    5
    While "Overnight" is an absolute bop, the rest of this album is just full of sugary, watered-down indie pop music. Rogers does show some signs of potential on some other tracks, but I can't get into this one. 5 out of 10 for me.
  19. bramel-reviews
    Jan 21, 2019
    8
    On "Heard it in a Past Life," Maggie Rogers proves that she is capable of not only writing strong pop songs, but crafting a truly comprehensive and powerful album. Rogers' blend of lush electronic production with a singer-songwriter approach to lyrics distinguishes her music from much of the rest of current pop music. Expect Rogers to continue to grow, I could see her crafting a similarOn "Heard it in a Past Life," Maggie Rogers proves that she is capable of not only writing strong pop songs, but crafting a truly comprehensive and powerful album. Rogers' blend of lush electronic production with a singer-songwriter approach to lyrics distinguishes her music from much of the rest of current pop music. Expect Rogers to continue to grow, I could see her crafting a similar critical acclaim and fan base as Lorde.… Expand
  20. matthewmirliani
    Oct 9, 2019
    9
    Maggie Rogers’ spectacular debut album is a gorgeous, indie-pop masterpiece which features the very best of the recent bedroom-pop/dark-wave movement. The effort is a deft combination of the nostalgia-pop of MUNA and HAIM, the earthy, indie-folk of Phoebe Bridgers, the triumphant etherealism of Florence + the Machine, and the introspective dreaminess of Lana Del Rey. For fans of theMaggie Rogers’ spectacular debut album is a gorgeous, indie-pop masterpiece which features the very best of the recent bedroom-pop/dark-wave movement. The effort is a deft combination of the nostalgia-pop of MUNA and HAIM, the earthy, indie-folk of Phoebe Bridgers, the triumphant etherealism of Florence + the Machine, and the introspective dreaminess of Lana Del Rey. For fans of the aforementioned artists, Rogers’ debut balances a warm familiarity with the presence of a confident, engaging new voice.… Expand
  21. Tbone413
    Sep 21, 2021
    9
    So 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.
  22. 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 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.
  23. 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 country That makes it unique. It's her debut album and i'm appreciated that
  24. petrichor1975
    Apr 4, 2023
    7
    Maggie Rogers' "Heard It In A Past Life" is not a throwaway record and it could've easily taken that path had it not been for Rogers' ability to blend wit into pop music, something that isn't all that present in today's pop circuit. "Give A Little" is nostalgic and groovy and "Alaska" is a cute and quiet piece of pop. The big single, "Light On", has one of the best hooks on the record andMaggie Rogers' "Heard It In A Past Life" is not a throwaway record and it could've easily taken that path had it not been for Rogers' ability to blend wit into pop music, something that isn't all that present in today's pop circuit. "Give A Little" is nostalgic and groovy and "Alaska" is a cute and quiet piece of pop. The big single, "Light On", has one of the best hooks on the record and a somewhat charging energy behind it. The same goes for "On + Off", which is one of the more unique songs on the record. "Back In My Body" is a subdued and a very leaving-the-airport, yet grandiose, type of closer.

    The debut record from Maggie Rogers is an album that could've easily have been a forgotten piece of mainstream pop, but Maggie rises above the simplicity of that, and has created an opening and artful record.    … Expand
  25. gingham
    Mar 4, 2019
    8
    There are definite rough patches, but the project is overall concise and well-written. Maggie's songwriting skills truly shine on this album. To refer to the album as generic and dissonant is not only unfounded but unfair to the artist.
  26. basicspice
    Feb 14, 2020
    10
    Can't believe I haven't rated this yet, but this album is so smooth and gorgeous. Absolutely one of the best of 2019.
  27. SandyCaso
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Maggie created an excellent debut album. The lyrics are so well written and the melodies do not disappoint. The songs inside this album made me go back in time and remember critical points in my life. Heard it in a past life is a message of hope.
  28. coopburton
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    Maggie Rogers delivers a wholly fresh, original, and emotionally powerhouse performance on this album. Its folk pop and back-porch vibe is unlike anyone else on the modern music scene right now.
    Her clarity and precision in each song is piercing. Standouts include 'Light On,' 'Back in my Body,' and 'Fallingwater.' Rogers sings with deep, gut-wrenching emotion and delivers soul searching    Maggie Rogers delivers a wholly fresh, original, and emotionally powerhouse performance on this album. Its folk pop and back-porch vibe is unlike anyone else on the modern music scene right now.
    Her clarity and precision in each song is piercing. Standouts include 'Light On,' 'Back in my Body,' and 'Fallingwater.' Rogers sings with deep, gut-wrenching emotion and delivers soul searching performances wrapped in music one can only dance to. The album is wholly relatable and should absolutely be in the running for Album of the Year. Rogers gives us what Billie Eilish does - something completely new that at first may seem crude or undeveloped, but at second glance proves to be rounded, enriching, and expertly crafted. The album is beautifully delivered and deserves the highest praise.    … Expand
  29. SecretShoot
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    Next level production. Maggie is doing her own thing. Maggie really raised the bar with this album.
  30. MeLikesMusic
    May 10, 2021
    9
    Maggie Rogers has a lot of potential, and it shows in this playful, enjoyable and interesting album. There are a few skips (I personally don't think Give A Little and The Knife are as good as the rest of the album) and sometimes it can get repetitive, but I love the young feeling of Maggie exploring and defining her own sound, establishing herself as a clever songwriter. Some songs couldMaggie Rogers has a lot of potential, and it shows in this playful, enjoyable and interesting album. There are a few skips (I personally don't think Give A Little and The Knife are as good as the rest of the album) and sometimes it can get repetitive, but I love the young feeling of Maggie exploring and defining her own sound, establishing herself as a clever songwriter. Some songs could have been better with a different style of production, but songs like Alaska, Burning and Fallingwater are reminiscent of the Maggie that fans that followed her since the start love her for. Overall, good album.… Expand
  31. diegofrolim
    Jul 28, 2023
    8
    O album tem uma atmosfera muito gostosa, com uma produção interessante e muitas músicas bastante únicas.

    Pontos Positivos: a íncrivel "Light On", a produção de "Alaska", a delicada "Past Life" que ajuda a dar nome ao album, músicas muito coesas Pontos Negativos: possui algumas músicas esquecíveis, não que sejam ruins, mas que não se destacam ou que são muito lineares, como "Give A    O album tem uma atmosfera muito gostosa, com uma produção interessante e muitas músicas bastante únicas.

    Pontos Positivos: a íncrivel "Light On", a produção de "Alaska", a delicada "Past Life" que ajuda a dar nome ao album, músicas muito coesas

    Pontos Negativos: possui algumas músicas esquecíveis, não que sejam ruins, mas que não se destacam ou que são muito lineares, como "Give A Little", "On + Off" e "Say It".    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. PopMatters
    Feb 12, 2019
    80
    Her singing provides the album's highlights. The instrumentation and production only serve to accent her voice and sadly often detract from the experience.
    Read full review
  2. The 405
    Feb 1, 2019
    60
    Individuality has been smoothed out by production and a lack of lyrical diversity. Undeniably a star, Maggie’s light has been dimmed here.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    Jan 30, 2019
    50
    Production touches aren't enough to elevate a set of songs that when stripped to their skeleton are sufficient if unspectacular. [Mar 2019, p.32]
See all critic reviews »