High Life
by Brian Eno
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Jul 1, 2014
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. PopMatters
    Dec 9, 2014
    60
    High Life doesn’t suffer from any real clunkers and is more consistently sonically rewarding, so that makes it the ‘better’ album. And that’s what ultimately makes it the more frustrating of the two; even the more successful collection put together by Eno and Hyde is mostly just further proof that they haven’t yet made the album together that they’re clearly capable of.
  2. Q Magazine
    Aug 28, 2014
    60
    The duo's experience and aplomb win out. [Sep 2014, p.108]
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  3. Mojo
    Aug 20, 2014
    60
    It's a more than worthy companion piece, with an unfinished, scrapbook feel that's far from unbecoming. [Sep 2014, p.94]
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  5. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Jul 7, 2014
    60
    It does occasionally miss the mark, but that there are any hits to speak of at all shows that Eno and Hyde have a good deal more to offer than the uninspiring gruel of their debut.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 30, 2014
    60
    It’s not quite as appealing generally speaking, but does feature music for those moments when a soundtrack to a subtle atmosphere is needed-- whether on screen or in imaginations--with hints of more life slipping in between.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 30, 2014
    60
    You'd rather hope their systems/world music jams might be more wiggy than they are. Still, this second helping is a match for its predecessor.
  8. Under The Radar
    Jul 3, 2014
    55
    As is stands, High Life has the sound of a half-finished addendum to a half-finished idea.
  9. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 7, 2014
    40
    There are things going on here that will, in all likelihood, percolate through to stadium pop in due course but Hyde lacks the vocal presence or structural songcraft to shape the material into something greater than its parts.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Unpersona
    Jul 4, 2014
    8
    The critics aren't evaluating this correctly, so I had to jump in and represent. This is a great album, it harkens back to Eno's heyday withThe critics aren't evaluating this correctly, so I had to jump in and represent. This is a great album, it harkens back to Eno's heyday with My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts (deeply abstract, vibrant and impassioned live performances) and the hypnotic groovy-ness of Remain In Light's polyrhythms. High Life is his best work in 20 years and yet it feels spontaneous and current, which is refreshing. It sounds like Eno being inspired by more outside forces than just the legacy of his previous accomplishments.… Full Review »
  2. adhamhany
    Jul 20, 2014
    8
    For Brian Eno, i only listened to his 1975 album "Another Green World". I really enjoyed it, and there are some tunes that i still remember,For Brian Eno, i only listened to his 1975 album "Another Green World". I really enjoyed it, and there are some tunes that i still remember, despite last hearing them years ago. Truly unforgettable stuff.

    I got this album, hoping that it has the same level of brilliance of the previously mentioned one. Unfortunately, it doesn't; which made me feel a bit disappointed.

    But when i gave it a second listen, i realized that it's pretty much impressive in its own right. Tracks "DBF" and "Moulded Life" boast some really cool and fast electronic music, while "Return" and "Cells & Bells" are more relaxing and slow, but no less mesmerizing.

    The remaining two tracks (there's only 6 of them) are okay, but didn't capture my attention in any special way.

    So in the end, i can say that this is a pretty great electronic album, and a pretty great Brian Eno album. Check it out.    … Full Review »
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