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Microshift Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the British rock band features electronic elements such as samples, loops, and synths.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Feb 8, 2018
    100
    Microshift manages to be both their most accessible work and their most intense: the sound of an already powerful band gaining not just clarity, but focus.
  2. Jan 31, 2018
    90
    You would have to search far and wide to find a transformation in an already great band that works as well as this. The key to it all is the vulnerability that MJ is now willing to put on display, giving the newfound musical incisiveness the emotional fuel it needs to really fly. If this isn’t one of the albums of the year then we must be in for something special.
  3. Feb 8, 2018
    90
    Microshift clearly demonstrates that Hookworms are operating on a new level.
  4. Uncut
    Jan 29, 2018
    80
    A wonderful record. [Mar 2018, p.30]
  5. Feb 2, 2018
    80
    While ‘The Hum’ proved a logical step forward for Hookworms, ‘Microshift’ pays little attention to the script, and is all the more thrilling for it.
  6. Q Magazine
    Jan 30, 2018
    80
    Expanding your sound without losing your edge is a tough trick to pull off, but Hookworms manage it with inner space to spare. [Mar 2018, p.111]
  7. Feb 2, 2018
    75
    Overall, Microshift is the sound of a band pulling itself out of the abyss on the back of its most buoyant music yet.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Feb 4, 2018
    10
    This is the album which, after years or enjoying Metacritic passively, finally made me create an account and contribute. I enjoyed HookwormsThis is the album which, after years or enjoying Metacritic passively, finally made me create an account and contribute. I enjoyed Hookworms previous album (maybe 7.5/10) but this might just be The best "rock" album I have heard since Arcade Fire's "Funeral". One of my measures is the "lump in the throat" test - more often achieved in live performance (Arcade fire, Bon iver, Frank Turner, The Maccabees, Twenty-one Pilots (before they were famous) , even Of Monsters and Men) but even rarer on record. But Microshift did it at least three time. I'm not going to go into great detail - just tunes, passion, emotion, a great "flow" through the album ... if this isn't my album of 2018 then hell, its going to be a great year. Expand
  2. Feb 2, 2018
    10
    Microshift is instead a macro shift for Hookworms, not only that, but it's one of the finest examples of a band finding its sound, finding itsMicroshift is instead a macro shift for Hookworms, not only that, but it's one of the finest examples of a band finding its sound, finding its own expressiveness and originality, delivering what's gonna be definitely one the best albums of 2018. Expand
  3. Feb 2, 2018
    10
    “Microshift” is like if you took the band’s previous albums and peeled back the noise and fuzz and drowned out vocals to reveal a fruitful“Microshift” is like if you took the band’s previous albums and peeled back the noise and fuzz and drowned out vocals to reveal a fruitful inner core. Thematically, it’s epic in its ambitions. It unveils every prick and notch in the feelings of being so depressed and hopeless, then reverses itself. It becomes an anthem of opening up every package of despair that holds you down and encourages you to go on. Although it’s title “Microshift” may lead you to believe it’s only a small step forward, it’s a drastic change for the band’s sound. They still manage to hold up their skill of creating vast and dynamic soundscapes, actually no, they take it to a new level. Listening to this album, I felt like I was soaring through space. I felt like an unattainable version of myself, the best I could ever be. This is the best album of 2018 (which isn’t really saying much, seeing how it’s only February 2nd). I don’t know if the year will get better than this, but if it does, man oh man are we in for one hell of a year! Expand
  4. Feb 3, 2018
    10
    The sound here is fresh, modern, experimental, clear, transparent, vivid, stable, unstable, powerful!
    Microshift is an excellent album
    The sound here is fresh, modern, experimental, clear, transparent, vivid, stable, unstable, powerful!
    Microshift is an excellent album because it is bright, huge and sincere in its' intentions: it describes a dystopian age with half-light tones.
    Great work.
    Expand
  5. Feb 2, 2018
    9
    This might be a terrible comparison:
    my sister loves Men Without Hats, but I just couldn't get into them.
    But if I liked Men Without Hats,
    This might be a terrible comparison:
    my sister loves Men Without Hats, but I just couldn't get into them.

    But if I liked Men Without Hats, it would be exactly like this.

    This album is superb. Just bleeding superb. "Ullswater" makes 9/8 as accessible and memorable as Arcade Fire made it with "Modern Man", but there's more power and force here.

    I can't list a bad track on here, though I wish Boxing Day didn't end so abruptly.

    But do buy this. It's a wonderful experience.
    Expand
  6. Oct 2, 2018
    9
    Every song is amazing... except for boxing day. Not sure about that one, maybe it'll grow on me. Love this album though
  7. Feb 26, 2018
    1
    Just saw the Hookworms live and this latest material just does not come across well. They seem to have lost there essence.

See all 9 User Reviews

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