User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Hyperspace
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Hyperspace Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: The 14th full-length studio release for the singer-songwriter features contributions from Paul Epworth, Sky Ferreira, Terrell Hines, Greg Kurstin, Chris Martin, and Pharrell Williams.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Variety
    Nov 22, 2019
    90
    A joyfully introspective, minimalistic but sophisticated, contagiously melodic, straight-ahead, analog synth-pop record with a fleeting few of old school Beck’s signature touches — a few raps here, some dobro and harmonica there. ... Gorgeous.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Nov 26, 2019
    80
    For all of his vigor for partnership, is a solitary classicist, a singer-songwriter wrestling with the dynamics of desire and emotional commitment. Hyperspace is grounded in that realism.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 10, 2019
    80
    The sound of the otherworldly sci-fi R&B that's released when psych country singer-songwriter and a future-pop production legend bond at molecular level. [Jan 2019, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The A.V. Club
    Nov 25, 2019
    75
    Overall, in spite of its goofy throwback artwork and the presence of Pharrell Williams, Hyperspace belongs on the shelf closest to Sea Change. There are more clunkers here than on that classic, but it feels similarly honest and world-weary.
  5. AllMusic
    Nov 21, 2019
    70
    Beck never lingers upon either his melancholy or his celestial flights of fantasy: they exist simultaneously, resulting in a tremulous and pretty soundtrack for moments of fleeting introspection.
  6. Paste Magazine
    Nov 22, 2019
    67
    When he strips everything else away and zeroes in on penning a purely gorgeous song, you can hear the spark that has made him one of the most consistent and creative mainstream artists of the past 25 years. It’s still in there, sometimes you just have to travel through Hyperspace to find it.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Nov 21, 2019
    50
    Beck’s 2006 album The Information is a better example of his unrivaled funhouse approach to style and tone: By blending techno, folk, punk, hip-hop, Krautrock, blues, ambient, and groove-oriented rock, that album is by turns strange, aggressive, hilarious, disturbing, eerie, and fun, all while expressing wry dismay over our current cyber-Armageddon. In comparison, and for all its apparent now-ness, Hyperspace feels inconsequential and incomplete.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 3 out of 14
  1. kodyk
    Mar 22, 2021
    10
    This is something new. I didn’t expect to get so much energy from space. With every song you plunge into this atmosphere.
    There are no songs    This is something new. I didn’t expect to get so much energy from space. With every song you plunge into this atmosphere.
    There are no songs that stand out, which speaks of the real integrity of the album. Well, the sound effects are just wow.    … Expand
  2. Gammaradiator
    Nov 24, 2019
    9
    Excellent album. Picks up where Colors left off. Nice mix of electronic and genres/themes Beck has been working in for his entire career.Excellent album. Picks up where Colors left off. Nice mix of electronic and genres/themes Beck has been working in for his entire career. Lyrics are reflective, mature and emotionally resonant… Expand
  4. frankrog29
    Dec 7, 2019
    8
    I would give Hyperspace an 8.5/10. On his new album, Beck takes the R&B, trap-influenced pop, and 80s pop genres, all of which he has dabbledI would give Hyperspace an 8.5/10. On his new album, Beck takes the R&B, trap-influenced pop, and 80s pop genres, all of which he has dabbled in before, and turns them up to 10. He does cover some new ground, such as chillwave. As always, Beck’s songwriting is magnificent; the album contains some of his best songs since Morning Phase (see “See Through,” “Hyperspace,” and “Star”). The sounds are ethereal and beautiful, yet melancholy. The lyrics are often quite bleak, examining the dark sides of interpersonal relationships, society, and existence. Fans will recognize this grim tone from some of the singer/songwriter’s previous albums, such as The Information and Modern Guilt. The retro, otherworldly, 80s/chillwave synthesizers create the impression of being in a dream which might turn out to be a nightmare or watching a dystopian science fiction movie. My main criticism of the album is that the first half, though good, is not as strong as the second half, which is amazing. If Beck had placed more robust songs on the first half of Hyperspace or made the album more consistent and cohesive front-to-back, then perhaps it would have been a classic, rather than just another great album from the artist.… Expand
  5. matthewmirliani
    Nov 30, 2019
    7
    Beck’s Hyperspace has some great moments - moments of pure dream-pop brilliance (the wonderful “See Through” and “Die Waiting”), introspectionBeck’s Hyperspace has some great moments - moments of pure dream-pop brilliance (the wonderful “See Through” and “Die Waiting”), introspection weaved into lovely melodies (the pleasant finale “Everlasting Nothing”), and clever odes to the Vaporwave sound and aesthetic. However, the album is at times a confusing and messy listen, particularly due to breaks in sonic and thematic cohesiveness (i.e. the strange and clumsy Western-tinged “Saw Lightning”). All in all, however, the high points of Hyperspace outweigh the low, and make it worthy of any music lover’s attention.… Expand
  6. Andremax
    Dec 3, 2019
    7
    Hyperspace isn't a masterpiece, and it's fair doesn't waiting nothing like another "Mellow gold" or "Odelay", but it's a bigger step comparedHyperspace isn't a masterpiece, and it's fair doesn't waiting nothing like another "Mellow gold" or "Odelay", but it's a bigger step compared to Colours because Beck returns with his always bending of styles, such as soft rock, folk, vaporwave, rap, blues and a blow of trap.… Expand
  7. Golbez
    Dec 1, 2019
    7
    There are some funky and great moments here. Others sound like highly elevated elevator music, maybe I just need a few spins around the sunThere are some funky and great moments here. Others sound like highly elevated elevator music, maybe I just need a few spins around the sun on this one but it is contemporary and fresh. If you are a rock fan you will find acid phases of electric drum, guitar, synth, even stadium like anthem material but not songs. Sorry difficult to describe this one other than 80s style rhythms with high end modern, sometimes hip-hop /country production that has caught on fire lately.… Expand
  8. Trqkh
    Dec 5, 2019
    0
    3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/103/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10 3/10… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 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
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
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 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
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
All Current Music »