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Labyrinthitis
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Labyrinthitis Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest full-length release for Dan Bejar-led band Destroyer was produced and mixed by John Collins.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. musicOMH.com
    Mar 22, 2022
    90
    The full listening experience is perplexing, intriguing, sometimes perhaps infuriating, but rarely less than intoxicating.
  2. PopMatters
    Mar 21, 2022
    90
    As an entry into Destroyer, LABYRINTHITIS succeeds in a plethora of ways, but where it works the most is in transforming a notoriously prickly artist into one with the unforeseen capacity to retract his spikes.
  3. Beats Per Minute
    Mar 29, 2022
    85
    Labyrinthitis is Bejar’s best work since Kaputt. At this point, Bejar has several classics under his belt, so there’s no desperation here to create another one, but he manages to do it with ease.
  4. Mojo
    Mar 21, 2022
    80
    Labyrinthitis is another tantalising Destroyer album, one that resists being clutched too tight or loved too hard as it roams its peculiar world. [Apr 2022, p.86]
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  5. Spin
    Mar 22, 2022
    80
    Collins and Bejar, who sent ideas for Labyrinthitis back and forth Postal-Service-style from their respective homes in Galiano Island and Vancouver, craft compelling songs that deserve respect in their own right. They go beyond pure pastiche by tying everything together with arrangements and lyrics that are charming in equal measure.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Mar 21, 2022
    80
    As danceable and often hooky as these songs are, there’s still a sense of reclusiveness, an inscrutability, that permeates the album.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 28, 2022
    60
    Unfortunately, there’s often this vast emotional chasm in his music, a feeling that nothing ever means anything, until the final two tracks, The States and The Last Song, which prove that he can write a lovely, affecting lyric after all.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. jpowell28
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    I have been a big fan of Destroyer for many years, and don't hesitate to buy the latest album completely unheard. Destroyer's music is alwaysI have been a big fan of Destroyer for many years, and don't hesitate to buy the latest album completely unheard. Destroyer's music is always great - the musicians are always top notch - and Dan Bejar's lyrics are always intriguing, however I was slightly disappointed with Have We Met. But Labyrinthitis is a different beast altogether. It is my favorite since Kaputt, which is Bejar's undisputed masterpiece. The album flows beautifully, Bejar's lyrics are his most creative and funniest in years, and the band is completely on fire. I am hard pressed to give anything a 10 but there is nothing on this album that is sub-par. It is like the best of Destroyer on one album. A tour de force.… Expand
  2. scottmichaelros
    Mar 28, 2022
    9
    Dan Bejar is not a man of abundant natural talent as a musician, but he more that makes up for that with a fearless spirit and a ****Dan Bejar is not a man of abundant natural talent as a musician, but he more that makes up for that with a fearless spirit and a **** attitude. With Kaput he started to show serious skills in production. All of these strengths came to a head with Poison Season, one of the best albums of the century, so far. The double shot of brilliance that was Kaputt and Poison Season seemed to have drained the man. The two follow up albums, while good, and not without excellent songs, were merely blueprints in comparison. Like many other musicians that have been resting on their laurels before the pandemic (I’m looking at you Jack White), these current times seems to have brought out the best in Bejar. Labyrinthitis is back up there with his best album because you can see he put the time in, etching out every small detail. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another world crisis to give us more music of this quality.… Expand
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Mar 25, 2022
    7
    I hadn't been awaiting this release because Bejars music always was something that tool it's time with me. From the dark blood of Ken to theI hadn't been awaiting this release because Bejars music always was something that tool it's time with me. From the dark blood of Ken to the foggy existentialism of Poison season or the magnum opus Kaputt he's been a master of tension, letting ideas build towards something whether it's a climax or abrupt end . Nevertheless here it's a different ball game,a record intended to be felt more than understood, in the vein of 22,a million. Even so songs like the brilliant opener or outstanding "june" keep you invested in figuring out exactly what he's trying to say… Expand

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