User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 182 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 10 out of 182

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  1. Feb 6, 2013
    9
    22 years after making the seminal shoegaze album of the 1990's, no band came close to achieving the level of success with droning guitars and faded vocals, as My Bloody Valentine had. That is, until MBV. While it certainly is a step down from Loveless in terms of perfection, and is less erratically creative then the 1988 precursor Isn't Anything, MBV is still a step above all guitar rock22 years after making the seminal shoegaze album of the 1990's, no band came close to achieving the level of success with droning guitars and faded vocals, as My Bloody Valentine had. That is, until MBV. While it certainly is a step down from Loveless in terms of perfection, and is less erratically creative then the 1988 precursor Isn't Anything, MBV is still a step above all guitar rock today, because of the sound My Bloody Valentine has alone perfected. Whether it proves to be as timeless as it's predecessors may take another quarter century to determine, but surely this is a magnificent return, made by one of the most reclusive bands of all time. Expand
  2. Feb 10, 2013
    7
    Definitely not a bad album on the whole, although I think sentimentality may be partially behind the perfect scores it's receiving. As the eponymous, tripartite title suggests, this album is not really a cohesive work, but more of a collection of tracks from their long years of silence. As such, it's quite inconsistent. There's some really classic content here, and for that reason youDefinitely not a bad album on the whole, although I think sentimentality may be partially behind the perfect scores it's receiving. As the eponymous, tripartite title suggests, this album is not really a cohesive work, but more of a collection of tracks from their long years of silence. As such, it's quite inconsistent. There's some really classic content here, and for that reason you should give it a listen; but there's also a fair amount of less worthy stuff.

    Loveless and its associated EPs were incredible achievements; the melodies were perfect and otherworldly, and yet the band intentionally obfuscated them behind layers of wonderfully creative noise.

    And there are indeed some glimmers of that magic here, especially in the first three songs, which also seem like they're the earliest content from the two-decade recording period, most resembling the band's previous work. "Only Tomorrow" in particular is the clear highlight of the album, with a swooning, feminine melody, alongside a pained, jagged guitar, swooping vocals, and finishing with a strange, sluggish solo.

    But after that, as we enter the more recent and unconventional side of the album, I find that things progressively lose their lustre. The melodies, surprisingly for this band, become quite forgettable and rambling; the harmonies and rhythms, bland. This reaches its nadir in the closer "Wonder 2", for which I really don't have much praise. The noise is still there, but now, instead of hiding brilliance, it almost feels like it's there to hide a lack of musical substance... and without the underlying crystalline beauty, the chaos becomes rather empty and uninteresting.

    However, the disappointment here is easily countered by how great it is to see My Bloody Valentine finally out of their rut. They've shown that they still have their ability to match their younger selves, and I eagerly await the planned EP of brand new content.
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  3. Feb 7, 2013
    9
    My Bloody Valentine have not just returned, they have progressed. They have written m b v as if they’d traveled back to the early-to-mid-90s. This does not sound like a comeback album, this sounds like a long-awaited follow-up. Is it better than Loveless? No, but I never expected it to be. Will it be as influential as Loveless? Unlikely. But it’s “Welcome home”, it’s “Welcome back” andMy Bloody Valentine have not just returned, they have progressed. They have written m b v as if they’d traveled back to the early-to-mid-90s. This does not sound like a comeback album, this sounds like a long-awaited follow-up. Is it better than Loveless? No, but I never expected it to be. Will it be as influential as Loveless? Unlikely. But it’s “Welcome home”, it’s “Welcome back” and it’s “Sorry you ever left us.” Expand
  4. Apr 30, 2013
    10
    A lot of people are going to be hung up on the question of whether or not MBV lives up to Loveless, and if you ask me, it does. MBV is just as cohesive, just as beautiful, and it doesn't look back to the band's former greatness. Most of these songs rip Loveless tracks to shreds in terms of craftsmanship. It took some work for me, but MBV is the real deal. Give it your attention and you'llA lot of people are going to be hung up on the question of whether or not MBV lives up to Loveless, and if you ask me, it does. MBV is just as cohesive, just as beautiful, and it doesn't look back to the band's former greatness. Most of these songs rip Loveless tracks to shreds in terms of craftsmanship. It took some work for me, but MBV is the real deal. Give it your attention and you'll be thankful in the end. Expand
  5. Jan 25, 2017
    8
    The first half plays like a set of Loveless B-sides, so take that as you may. The second half, however, evolves into something new, and by the end of the album, your brain will be floating in a disoriented bliss.
  6. Feb 8, 2013
    10
    devastatingly good, and nearly miraculous given the fact that this album had 22 years of hype behind it. i agree with some reviewer who said it's a third part opera old school mbv, new material, antidote i would actually simplify it guitars, synthesizers, percussion. the music is dynamic, some songs are forceful and ferocious, others are smooth, gentle, romantic, they all intertwine,devastatingly good, and nearly miraculous given the fact that this album had 22 years of hype behind it. i agree with some reviewer who said it's a third part opera old school mbv, new material, antidote i would actually simplify it guitars, synthesizers, percussion. the music is dynamic, some songs are forceful and ferocious, others are smooth, gentle, romantic, they all intertwine, they build on one another. it's a welcome resurgence of the beauty of the electric guitar, and a clear pointer towards new directions the band hopefully continues to follow. ace. Expand
  7. Feb 7, 2013
    10
    I am only 17, but when I was 11 and only beginning to dip my toes into alt rock, I discovered 2 albums made in 1991. Both unimaginably brilliant, they changed my life. The one, the insanely popular and seminal Nevermind from Nirvana, the other an album whose stature grew from virtually nonexistant to being nearly as, and arguably even more, influential than Nevermind. The latter, wasI am only 17, but when I was 11 and only beginning to dip my toes into alt rock, I discovered 2 albums made in 1991. Both unimaginably brilliant, they changed my life. The one, the insanely popular and seminal Nevermind from Nirvana, the other an album whose stature grew from virtually nonexistant to being nearly as, and arguably even more, influential than Nevermind. The latter, was ofcourse Loveless. I was so confounded by its innovations and inventiveness and the harsh formless beauty of the songs, so much so that I scoured the Earth in search of albums that sound similar. Guess how that went.

    I may have not had to wait 22 years like other fans, but I sort of grew comfortable with the idea that MBV would never release another album. Then the reunion happened. Rumours flew around about new songs, a possible album even. I shrugged it off. I did my research. These kinds of rumours go around every couple of years. But then the rumours started gaining momentum. I didn't want to get heartbroken, so i didn't want to pay attention, but really, I was as excited as a prepubescent girl who saw Justin Bieber. But I didn't really believe it. They said they mastered it on Facebook on the last Mayan calendar day. I still didn't believe it. In fact, I still don't. It all seems so surreal, which is extremely apt, because so does the music.

    When I downloaded m b v, I was hesitant to press play. What if it didn't live up to the massive, massive expectations? Then i played it. The first third sounded like Loveless outtakes that shouldn't have been taken out. Woozy, loud, spiralling guitars and ambiguous vocals all there, and had the rest of the album been like that, it would've been amazing too. I mean, it's been 22 years and still nobody's come close to successfully reproducing Loveless. But that isn't how MBV play it. Instead, where Loveless was driven by relentless instrumental innovation, most of m b v is driven by strong songwriting, and supplimented by the still-all-these-years-later innovative production.

    All in all this album is as beautiful and affecting a masterpiece as it should be, even if it hasn't usurped Loveless's position as the greatest shoegazing masterpiece ever. A well deserved 10/10
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  8. Feb 11, 2013
    10
    An almost perfect near-masterpiece comeback album of the year-I tried to be realistic about it and not to expect miracle after all this time but this is even better than I hoped it would be.
  9. Feb 8, 2013
    10
    This is near-perfect album is full of the ethereal and dreamy goodness we can expect from My bloody Valentine, but it is also more dynamic and mercurial than previous efforts. I can only hope their next album is not released 22 years later. Is it as good as Loveless? I'm not sure, and that might be the greatest compliment I can give this album.
  10. Apr 16, 2013
    9
    Beautiful! what can you say...
    I wasnt even born when they start, but im so glad they're back
    its not so intense and deep as loveless but i think they scored very good with this one!
  11. Sep 21, 2016
    9
    M B V isn't necessarily good all the time, but when it's good is flat-out extraordinary. It's no surprise, since Kevin Shields spent many years perfecting most of these recordings with a level of care and sonic precision that we all know only he is capable of mastering. M B V sounds a bit more danceable than anything My Bloody Valentine has dared to produce up to this point, and theM B V isn't necessarily good all the time, but when it's good is flat-out extraordinary. It's no surprise, since Kevin Shields spent many years perfecting most of these recordings with a level of care and sonic precision that we all know only he is capable of mastering. M B V sounds a bit more danceable than anything My Bloody Valentine has dared to produce up to this point, and the abrasive sound of the synthesizers is put to work in exquisite counterpoint with the guitars and the general warm feedback. Listen to "In Another Way", just for example: How every section of the song consciously leads into another, and how it always seems to be speeding up (even when it isn't). Moreover, if you think Shields is a great producer but not necessarily a great songwriter, you can just check out "Only Tomorrow" and "New You", two pieces of shoegaze that flip and flop from one chord to another with grace but all the time leaving room for a sweet vocal melody to do its job. There are plenty of beautiful moments in every song, and every single trick of repetition is justified. Loveless is still the better album (and one of the greatest albums of the 90s) but it's still important not to forget that this record exists and it is noteworthy. Expand
  12. Feb 10, 2013
    10
    Its just incredible how they can manage to stay fresh and original after a staggering 22 years. Great stuff here.
  13. Feb 12, 2013
    9
    This is a great record. Whether you loved 'Loveless' or have never heard of My Bloody Valentine before this, this is a great record. Kevin Shields writes pop songs, then he processes the hell out of them, cranking on the fuzz, distortion, reverser reverb, flangers, phasers, and things that we probably didn't even know existed, until that pop song sits in a sonic space not unlike theThis is a great record. Whether you loved 'Loveless' or have never heard of My Bloody Valentine before this, this is a great record. Kevin Shields writes pop songs, then he processes the hell out of them, cranking on the fuzz, distortion, reverser reverb, flangers, phasers, and things that we probably didn't even know existed, until that pop song sits in a sonic space not unlike the reality we create when we dream. Sometimes those dreams are ethereal and soothing. Sometimes they're chaotic sensory overloads with no direction, or end in sight. Always, however, they're unique and inspiring, and that's why this band means so much to so many people. M B V picks up where Loveless has left off. A whole new generation of artists are set to be inspired. Expand
  14. Web
    May 8, 2013
    7
    The album is strong but not as strong as its ratings will have you believe. It will build you up over the first six tracks, give you the impression you are listening to a masterpiece, but by the final track you're somehow still waiting for a climax that came and went. It loses focus in its final three (of nine total) tracks. Loveless was consistent, amazingly so. 7.7/10
  15. Jan 24, 2014
    8
    While it was understandable that a new My Bloody Valentine record would generate excitement, the level of excitement that surrounded this record was bordering on ridiculous. A lot has happened in the 21 + years since the release of Loveless both in and outside of music and while the sonic experimentation of Shields and co in the early 90's was remarkable, we've had two decades of otherWhile it was understandable that a new My Bloody Valentine record would generate excitement, the level of excitement that surrounded this record was bordering on ridiculous. A lot has happened in the 21 + years since the release of Loveless both in and outside of music and while the sonic experimentation of Shields and co in the early 90's was remarkable, we've had two decades of other bands building on the mbv blueprint with varying degrees of success. Technology has changed to such as extent that while Loveless cost a reportedly 250 grand to make, a similar record could be made today using a laptop and some nice effects for a fraction of the cost. Ok, I might be exaggerating there but you hopefully get the point. The big question was whether the new record, cleverly titled "mbv" was going to be worth the wait. The answer for me is a qualified yes. At times mbv sounds like Loveless II (no bad thing), other times it sounds like a collection of Loveless B-Sides (a tad underwhelming and lacking direction), then at other times it just hops into a parallell universe and My Bloody Valentine are unrecognisable in the music (pleasantly surprises).
    I like the record but ironically, the disappointing thing about mbv by My Bloody Valentine is that for the most part, it does exactly what we expected it to. Surprises are rare. Also, considering the length of the time the band took over the record, there is a little bit of filler on the record (not much but did we really need over 3 minutes of the "Nothing Is" loop?). mbv, while released in 2013, is arguably a record for fans of the 90's. I'm not complaining about the release of this album though, its got enough substance to sit proudly with their back catalogue and now that the monkey is off the back, perhaps the band can move on and try their hand at a record for the 2010's.
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  16. Feb 7, 2013
    9
    MBV is surprisingly good and fresh-sounding. A lot can go wrong when a band has an excessive amount of time to record/revise (think G n' R's "Chinese Democracy" which most certainly did not live up to the hype). Thankfully, that is not the case here and for the most part, MBV delivers. The songs are direct and focused and while the trademark sound is still there (fractured guitar drone andMBV is surprisingly good and fresh-sounding. A lot can go wrong when a band has an excessive amount of time to record/revise (think G n' R's "Chinese Democracy" which most certainly did not live up to the hype). Thankfully, that is not the case here and for the most part, MBV delivers. The songs are direct and focused and while the trademark sound is still there (fractured guitar drone and ethereal vocals), there is a new reliance on 7th chords which gives this an updated sound. MBV is not stuck back in the 90's which was my biggest fear before listening to this. My only gripe is a couple of songs which seemed more like half-baked ideas than fully realized songs (she found now, is this and yes), but the other tracks more than make up for this. MBV is a worthy successor to "Loveless" and well worth the wait. PS The jet-engine sample in Wonder 2 is one of the coolest things I've heard in the past few years. Expand
  17. Mar 25, 2013
    10
    M B V. Superb and fresh. After 22 years, My Bloody Valentine are back and with a near-super record. By far, the good things are its strong songwriting. Definitely buy it. Go Now!
  18. Feb 8, 2013
    9
    Holy moley! A new MBV album. How long has it been? Well that crappy Kevin Costner-in-tights movie had just come out, and Paula Abdul still had songs on the radio…that long. So is it any good? Yes. Does it have swirling guitars and new sounds to blow your mind? Yep. (More jet engine!) Is it better than Loveless? Nope. But it’s an adequate follow up (which is a monumental compliment) and anHoly moley! A new MBV album. How long has it been? Well that crappy Kevin Costner-in-tights movie had just come out, and Paula Abdul still had songs on the radio…that long. So is it any good? Yes. Does it have swirling guitars and new sounds to blow your mind? Yep. (More jet engine!) Is it better than Loveless? Nope. But it’s an adequate follow up (which is a monumental compliment) and an interesting, totally worthy record in its own right. For those not familiar with this band…it might be a tough introduction. There are no singles here. Just heavy guitars, drowned out vocals, and complex melodies that sometimes require a few spins. Listen to it with headphones. Listen to it loud. Enjoy! Thanks for not disappointing Kevin Shields. A-…or 9/10. Cheers! –CCC Expand
  19. Feb 8, 2013
    10
    As close to perfect as I can imagine. I just missed Loveless, caught up on a second hand cassette which I now realise wasn't stretched out. But I just missed it. Knees deep in pavement and nirvana in 92, saw them both live, and I feel this album, I feel every turn.
  20. Feb 20, 2013
    9
    A truly unusual album. My first experience with My Bloody Valentine, as I'd never heard of Loveless before, which I subsequently loved after hearing this M B V. Not what I expected at all when I'd heard people talking about this new great album, and after listening it over and over I did learn to appreciate it, and now I truly adore it. The layers of melody, of the guitars and whatnot, IA truly unusual album. My first experience with My Bloody Valentine, as I'd never heard of Loveless before, which I subsequently loved after hearing this M B V. Not what I expected at all when I'd heard people talking about this new great album, and after listening it over and over I did learn to appreciate it, and now I truly adore it. The layers of melody, of the guitars and whatnot, I don't need fancy words to express what a tremendous effort this album was. The most amazing though, is how a person would think to make music that sounds like this in the first place. Truly original, just like its 21-year predecessor. Expand
  21. Feb 19, 2013
    7
    I would like to bring this album back down to Earth. I understand that Loveless was a classic for its time, but I feel that if any other band produced basically the same album 2 years apart (let alone 22 years later) they would be ripped to shreds by some of these critics. I liked the album, but with the exception of "If I am," nothing really stood out to me. In fact, the album'sI would like to bring this album back down to Earth. I understand that Loveless was a classic for its time, but I feel that if any other band produced basically the same album 2 years apart (let alone 22 years later) they would be ripped to shreds by some of these critics. I liked the album, but with the exception of "If I am," nothing really stood out to me. In fact, the album's closer, "Wonder 2" is downright grating. Perhaps I need to listen to it more, but it doesn't feel like they've done much more than replicate the sound from Loveless. Expand
  22. Mar 1, 2013
    10
    Ever since having gotten away from alternative christian rock, the genre I was forced to stick with for most of my young life, the first sub-genre I latched onto was shoegaze. Something about the languid pace, and juxtaposition of towering guitar feedback walls with sweetly sighing vocals brought me peace where christian music made me want for unreachable goals. That being said, I was oneEver since having gotten away from alternative christian rock, the genre I was forced to stick with for most of my young life, the first sub-genre I latched onto was shoegaze. Something about the languid pace, and juxtaposition of towering guitar feedback walls with sweetly sighing vocals brought me peace where christian music made me want for unreachable goals. That being said, I was one of the many who saw Loveless as a trippy masterpiece, and one of the many who believed MBV would never release a sequel for fear of not living up to their prior heights.

    My wait for mbv was more like 10 years since I found the group at 14. Still a long time to fruitlessly hope for a follow-up, but I digress. In short, this album is amazing for its bravery. It sounds less like a sequel to Loveless, more like an older sister. The sweetness is sweeter, the harshness is harsher, yet it all remains shrouded in a coat of mystery like always. This is one of the rare bands it's hard to discern the psychology behind, making the music all the more fascinating.

    Just like Loveless, this won't be for everyone's taste. Most non-indie followers won't get it, and most indie kids won't appreciate the lack of pretentiousness or irony, instead preferring Thom Yorke's latest bland variation on The Eraser. But if you want the world to slow down, to surround you in shadow while you're led by comforting vocals that might or might not be ghostly, immerse yourself in mbv and let the fear melt away.
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  23. Jul 7, 2013
    9
    Expecting a Loveless 2 after so many years would have been folly Kevin Shields has been pretty consistently active outside of MBV since 1991, and with all the musical genres that have passed since that seminal album, it is hardly surprising that there would be some outside influence on his writing. I was a bit surprised that it was jungle beats that he would incorporate into the lastExpecting a Loveless 2 after so many years would have been folly Kevin Shields has been pretty consistently active outside of MBV since 1991, and with all the musical genres that have passed since that seminal album, it is hardly surprising that there would be some outside influence on his writing. I was a bit surprised that it was jungle beats that he would incorporate into the last third of this album, but why not? The amount of bands influenced by MBV is staggering, a lot have made albums that successfully pay tribute to "Loveless", but there is nothing like having the real deal back. Expand
  24. Nov 12, 2013
    10
    I love this so much that it's flaws only become strengths in my mind. Ending with Wonder 2 which sounds like being stuck spinning around a jet engine and evokes images of a rocket racing away to escape a violent inferno-related rapid destruction of planet earth while the sun expands at an unprecedented rate only to result in becoming ablaze anyway is a stroke of genius, it somehow makesI love this so much that it's flaws only become strengths in my mind. Ending with Wonder 2 which sounds like being stuck spinning around a jet engine and evokes images of a rocket racing away to escape a violent inferno-related rapid destruction of planet earth while the sun expands at an unprecedented rate only to result in becoming ablaze anyway is a stroke of genius, it somehow makes everything that preceded it make more sense. It's just phenomenal, 21 years of waiting paid off and now we can reap the rewards, Kevin Shields may be a bit of a nutter, but let's now embrace that. Collapse
  25. Jan 30, 2020
    9
    MBV is an example how a veteran band can return its form and being relevant, beyond explore new territories such as groovy rhythm sections.
  26. May 7, 2017
    10
    The Gods of shoegazing returned. M B V may not be as good as Loveless, but decisively better than 99% of contemporary productions. Kevin Shields and company deliver yet another incredible hour of musical journey through the inner spaces of their own dark souls, which is not comparable to the most of albums released over the last twenty years.
  27. Jul 28, 2018
    10
    The best comeback album of the decade. m b v is everything I'd hoped it would be, and more. Listening, you feel immersed in a landscape of colour and beauty. 10/10.
  28. Mar 14, 2020
    9
    If this one would have been released back in mid/late 90's when it were supposed to be, perhaps the public 'd have appreciated this much more. Anyways most critics (and I) consider that it was a "astounding return" and a perfect follow-up to largely acclaimed "Loveless". Give it the time it deserve (like most hard to listen records or bands comebacks after a while).
  29. Dec 7, 2021
    10
    El trabajo que más cariño le tengo junto a mi canción favorita "new you", si hubiera sido lanzada como se tenía planeada no sería el álbum más infravolarado de su carrera. Thi is better than loveless.
  30. May 21, 2023
    9
    MBV is become my favourite shoegaze album, they never change the sound and the music give me feel like i'm turning back the time
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 6, 2013
    70
    MBV is no great leap forward, though it's still aeons ahead of its 21st century competition. [Apr 2013, p.98]
  2. Magnet
    Apr 16, 2013
    90
    The noise that's here is lovely, heartbreaking, expansive and raw. [No. 97, p.58]
  3. The perfect album, albums with no filler, albums that when over, leave you breathless and don't inspire you to want more music from the band, but make you want to listen to the album from the start, all over again; m b v is that album.