Koi No Yokan
by Deftones
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Nov 13, 2012
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. musicOMH.com
    Dec 20, 2012
    80
    It's an adventurous, seductive and plush exploration of the depths of progressive and popular metal.
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 11, 2012
    80
    A band with swagger once again. [Jan 2013, p.109]
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  3. Kerrang!
    Dec 10, 2012
    100
    They still deliver their challenging music with effortless ease. [[10 Nov 2012, p.54]
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  5. Paste Magazine
    Nov 27, 2012
    75
    So odd how Koi No Yokan could be both their most traditionally metal and their most melodic record to date.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 21, 2012
    83
    The album continues where 2010's Diamond Eyes left off, bonding streamlined mosh-pit daggers with floaty space-station distress calls. [23 Nov 2012, p.70]
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  7. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 21, 2012
    50
    Koi No Yokan is a passable alt-rock/metal album by a band that is capable of much more.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Nov 20, 2012
    80
    Taken as both a culmination and a sign of more good things to come, it further solidifies the band's status as far and away the most long-lasting and consistent act of the maligned subgenre from which they came.
  9. PopMatters
    Nov 20, 2012
    90
    This fit and lean version of Deftones have turned negativity into vibrant positivity and channelled it into their cohesive and textured seventh full-length, Koi No Yokan--a record that will forever sit high upon Deftones' burgeoning list of impressive achievements.
  10. Consequence
    Nov 20, 2012
    80
    The songs have more personal bite and emotional density. They have a soul.
  11. Alternative Press
    Nov 19, 2012
    70
    It does serves as an excellent point of entry for a new generation of fans, while reminding the complacent rest of us how the character of Sacramento's finest continues to endure. [Dec 2012, p.89]
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  12. Spin
    Nov 16, 2012
    70
    There's definitely something welcoming about Koi No Yokan's comparative purity, in the band's understanding of how little they need.
  13. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Nov 15, 2012
    90
    At the end of the day, I don't know exactly where I'd rank Koi No Yokan--somewhere in the top three, but really it's not important. What's important is that this is a f***ing great album.
  14. AllMusic
    Nov 14, 2012
    80
    While a lot of bands out there have been tinkering with the loud/quiet dynamic for decades now, what makes Deftones so special is their ability to do both at the same time, effectively blending the calm and the storm into a single sound.
  15. DIY Magazine
    Nov 13, 2012
    80
    With Koi No Yokan the band have not only delivered on their promises, but exceeded them so, whilst remaining one of the most engaging but remarkable heavy bands of our times.
  16. BBC Music
    Nov 12, 2012
    90
    It transcends the boundaries and expectations of its genre--even those previously set by the very band that made it.
  17. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 12, 2012
    90
    This is widescreen alt-rock with an appropriately mammoth production, where euphoric choruses and crushing verses don't just sit alongside each other but ebb and flow to become inextricable entities.
  18. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 12, 2012
    80
    It's a shotgun blast of cranked guitars, bruising hardcore and canyon-sized choruses, and it's mesmerising.
  19. The Boston Phoenix
    Nov 12, 2012
    88
    Koi No Yokan is not only the year's best metal-rock-space-pop album--it's also the finest Deftones album, front to back, to date.

Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Best Album of 2012
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2012
27
#27 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 222 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 204 out of 222
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 222
  3. Negative: 10 out of 222
  1. koj
    Nov 16, 2012
    10
    Expectations were high for Koi No Yokan. It is Deftones seventh album in a row which simply does not disappoint. Each output got compared toExpectations were high for Koi No Yokan. It is Deftones seventh album in a row which simply does not disappoint. Each output got compared to 2000s masterpiece White Pony. Lucky enough Deftones never tried to create a White Pony 2, they wrote Albums which obviously fitted in their current status, always covered in a more (Selftitled) or less (Diamond Eyes) dark atmosphere.
    Each output since WP had its problems. The Selftitled was too dark (for me), SNW had great songs, but did not succeed with its experiments (Mein with Serj, Pink Cellphone). Diamond Eyes did not have this weak points but lacked in depth, atmosphere and textures.

    Koi No Yokan takes out the strengths of each of these albums since White Pony and leaves out the above criticized points. It´s pretty dark, flows really good as a whole album (nearly every song connects with the next) and adds a huge amount of atmosphere to it. Also, the production seems to be improved regarding Diamond Eyes. There is not one song which doesn´t fit into the album, each song has its place and is loveable from start to finish.
    Starting with Swerve City as a bouncy, poppy opener, Koi No Yokan beautifully delivers Deftones signature move: the dynamics. Leathers verses is one of the heaviest in Deftones history, fighting with the dreamy chorus created by Chinos beautiful voice. The man simply can create moods with his organ.
    Poltergeist, starting with odd handclaps leading into a heavy Carpenter Riff, drives the heavy vs soft game on. Next song, Entombed is simply beautiful and perfect material for a single. Graphic Nature could easily be featured one White Pony. Tempest, the single, connects southern rockesque guitars (straight from the 90s) with a lovely chorus and is one of the highlights. Gauzes beginning brings back Deftones heavy moments and is nothing less than Deftones high standard.
    Rosemary is the heart of Koi No Yokan, one of Deftones highlights of their whole career. A melody which stays in your head forever. Goon Squad with its dynamics lets you headbang before What happened to you? closes the album with a trippy dreampoppy sound. Reminds directly of Chi, who still suffers from the accident 4 yours ago.

    KNY is a perfect album for walks through the winter air and can be experienced best as a whole. Listen to this if you are a fan of intelligent alternative rock albums.
    It connects fans of heavy metal (Meshuggah riffing) with the ones of The Cure or The Smiths.

    Standout tracks are Leathers, Entombed and Rosemary.    … Full Review »
  2. scottysauce
    Nov 15, 2012
    10
    Deftones may very well be one of the most consistent and dependable bands of the past 20 years. Each new release sees the band further theirDeftones may very well be one of the most consistent and dependable bands of the past 20 years. Each new release sees the band further their musical scope while still retaining that immediately identifiable sound. I personally got hooked into the band with White Pony, specifically the songs … Full Review »
  3. Getbusyliving
    Nov 15, 2012
    10
    Beautiful album, even blissful at times. They have carved out their own sound and perfected it, amazing. Album of the year and in my opinion,Beautiful album, even blissful at times. They have carved out their own sound and perfected it, amazing. Album of the year and in my opinion, the best they have ever released.… Full Review »
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