Howlin'
by Jagwar Ma
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
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  1. Muddsjr
    Feb 22, 2014
    8
    Some of those beach-rock kind of tracks might be a little less great but the rest of the album is as a whole, a bold, fresh combination of different dance techniques and sounds. Howlin has a slightly summery feeling about it, and a slightly uncaring and endlessly adventurous feeling about it too.
  2. WadeVS
    Aug 28, 2013
    6
    Wow these guys are the new darlings of the music reviewers! I am yet to see a negative review. I agree with VIMTV this album feels like a compilation rather than a cohesive album. But there is still enough on here to give you an idea of where they're coming from, but not perhaps where they're going to. An often catchy debut for sure, but how will they follow this up? If the answer is withWow these guys are the new darlings of the music reviewers! I am yet to see a negative review. I agree with VIMTV this album feels like a compilation rather than a cohesive album. But there is still enough on here to give you an idea of where they're coming from, but not perhaps where they're going to. An often catchy debut for sure, but how will they follow this up? If the answer is with more of the same, then you can keep moving. Catchy, subtle, 90s-esque & rather likeable. This album kind of fizzles out towards the end.… Expand
  3. Forest90
    Sep 14, 2013
    8
    This album impressed me, the music is massively influenced by both Madchester and Psychedelia, but the result is unique enough and modern enough to be a sound that is definitely their own. We could do with this band becoming a big deal.
  4. kyle_aaronson
    Sep 26, 2013
    8
    To me, they're just about one step below Tame Impala. Their music comes from a similar vein, but they're not quite as talented. This may leak into something a little bit more poppy, though, considering certain songs immediately have you singing with simple, but recognizable limits. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up this type of performance on their next album, or if they goTo me, they're just about one step below Tame Impala. Their music comes from a similar vein, but they're not quite as talented. This may leak into something a little bit more poppy, though, considering certain songs immediately have you singing with simple, but recognizable limits. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up this type of performance on their next album, or if they go in a new direction. Tame Impala's second album was definitely better than the first, so I can only hope the same for Jagwar Ma (which is a really great band name).… Expand
  5. VIMTV
    Aug 20, 2013
    8
    Jagwar Ma hail from Australia, thus we expect their music to be eclectic by nature. Their debut record Howlin didn’t let us down; this thing is crawling with styles and genres ranging decades all culminated in one, concise, polished package. This is clearly a pop album; the dance beats and poppy vocal hooks cement that fact. However, the beats, samples, and guitar and bassJagwar Ma hail from Australia, thus we expect their music to be eclectic by nature. Their debut record Howlin didn’t let us down; this thing is crawling with styles and genres ranging decades all culminated in one, concise, polished package. This is clearly a pop album; the dance beats and poppy vocal hooks cement that fact. However, the beats, samples, and guitar and bass instrumentation have a unique authenticity to them which sets this album apart from its peers. Howlin is far from perfect; there are several tracks that are simply not as good as the stronger tracks, and it feels more like a compilation than a true record. We were still pleasantly surprised with this debut and will gladly come back to this album in the future.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. PopMatters
    Nov 1, 2013
    70
    The back half of Howlin’ falls off a bit, which is kind of inevitable with an album that starts as strongly as this one does.
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  2. Beats Per Minute
    Aug 26, 2013
    72
    Mindlessly hummable and pure of vision, Howlin’ sounds just as good coming from your headphones as it does from Marshall stacks.
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  3. Filter
    Aug 14, 2013
    78
    Drenched in echoed vocals and layered synth lines, Howlin maintains an incredibly optimistic, carefree tone.
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