Loney, Noir
by Loney, Dear
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Feb 6, 2007
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Under The Radar
    90
    Functions as an AM Gold collection filtered through Swedish shortwave radio with indie sensibilities. [#16, p.93]
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  2. Lost At Sea
    85
    Folky, orchestral indie-pop that's surprisingly effervescent and hopeful.
  3. cokemachineglow
    84
    There’s a lot to be impressed with here, but it’s the emotional intimacy that the songs establish even at their most grandiose that makes the album great.
  5. Filter
    82
    To say that this disc is merely great "psych-folk from Sweden" would be to ignore its more, um, intimate qualities.
  6. Boston Globe
    80
    Twee or not, there is a brilliant simplicity to Svanangen's music, though the tunes are never sparse.
  7. No Ripcord
    80
    Loney, Noir is a beautiful serving of melancholia, and one of the most interesting and fully realised home recordings I’ve heard in a long time.
  8. PopMatters
    80
    Loney, Noir is an elegant album of earnest indie pop that will make you wonder where Svanangen has been all your life.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Whilst this ceaseless good feeling will be too much for some, even those who don’t list this style of music amongst their interests may find enough variation here to keep coming back, as each song differs enough in its construction to warrant repeat visitations.
  10. Uncut
    80
    One of the year's most uplifting records so far. [May 2007, p.99]
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  11. musicOMH.com
    80
    Think Belle and Sebastian or a touch of Aberfeldy and take that east over the North Sea to Sweden, adding exquisite touches of orchestration and a touch more wistfulness as you go, and you have a rough template for the sound of Loney Dear.
  12. Almost Cool
    78
    Loney, Noir is an excellent little album and a great precursor to spring that seems so far away right now.
  13. Prefix Magazine
    70
    Svanangen has a wholly human presence on Loney, Noir, easy to invest in and equally easy to reap rewards from.
  14. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Not likely to appeal to your common or garden new raver, but perfect with a nice cup of tea.
  15. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Svanangen's bright falsetto holds his miniature musical tapestries together.
  16. Pitchfork
    66
    This is comfort music, and comfort never goes out of style. And while the aura of dreamy romantic abstraction is the same, Svanängen distinguishes himself from his peers on the structural level.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. John
    May 14, 2007
    10
    Along with Neon Bilbe, this is my favorite album of the year. Beautiful and energizing... the perfect summer album.
  2. Graeme
    Mar 18, 2007
    10
    Unexpectedly spectacular. A fairly diverse set of songs that are at some points simple and complex at other moments. Really growing on me. A Unexpectedly spectacular. A fairly diverse set of songs that are at some points simple and complex at other moments. Really growing on me. A very nice surprise and one of the best albums of a strong 2007 - release wise.… Full Review »
  3. matta
    Mar 12, 2007
    8
    This is what Sigur Ros would sound like if they sang in English and released a twee-pop album. Gorgeous.
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