Need Your Light
by Ra Ra Riot
  • Record Label: Barsuk
  • Release Date: Feb 19, 2016
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 26, 2016
    83
    Ra Ra Riot have persevered, and despite one ill-advised detour into electronic music (2013’s Beta Love), they’ve only sharpened and mastered their sound: their fourth album, Need Your Light, might be their most artful and catchiest set yet.
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    Ultimately, Need Your Light is an ambitious, thrilling album, full of songs that aim to grab your heart as well as your ears.
  3. NOW Magazine
    Feb 17, 2016
    80
    The 10-year-old band should be able to get a dance floor moving more than ever with these songs.
  5. Magnet
    Feb 17, 2016
    80
    The blend of old and new Ra Ra Riot feels more organic and less forced. [No. 128, p.61]
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  6. The A.V. Club
    Feb 19, 2016
    75
    It occasionally feels like a collection of lines taken from motivational posters, when it’s not being overtly silly (the vapid disco tics and Queen-style harmonic flourishes of “Bouncy Castle”), but the pleasure here lies in the saccharine joy of such frothy, bouncing pop anthems.
  7. Pitchfork
    Feb 19, 2016
    68
    On Need Your Light, they finally hit the sweet spot.
  8. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 18, 2016
    65
    Need Your Light is a heck of a lot of fun while it lasts and, though there’s little to make you crawl back to it time and time again, it has that same appeal of flicking through a photo album and getting the rush of nostalgia for times long gone and, for that alone, it’s worth something.
  9. Exclaim
    Feb 17, 2016
    60
    Need Your Light is certainly a step up from Beta Love, but Ra Ra Riot are missing the orchestral edge that originally set them apart from other groups in their genre, making it feel inessential despite being quite likeable.
  10. Consequence
    Feb 17, 2016
    50
    The results are mixed, surely, but not anything other than what they are.
  11. PopMatters
    Feb 17, 2016
    50
    I Need Your Light clings stubbornly to a spotlight on songwriting and band format that others of their former cohort, like Vampire Weekend and Dirty Projectors, pursued exceptionally. Most tracks feel caught in between the two. Like some kind of indie pop puberty.
  12. Under The Radar
    Feb 17, 2016
    45
    Despite its slick, bouncy energy, it doesn't make much of a splash. [Jan/Feb 2016, p.58]
  13. DIY Magazine
    Feb 19, 2016
    40
    Following two discouraging albums, Need Your Light represents another stumble in the New Yorkers’ career. A disappointment.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. wrognibene
    Feb 26, 2016
    4
    Despite symphonic choruses and impressive orchestral accents (though severely underutilized), Need Your Light winds up sounding extremelyDespite symphonic choruses and impressive orchestral accents (though severely underutilized), Need Your Light winds up sounding extremely repetitive by the third or fourth song. "Water" is a great opening number that brings you right into the music with speed and blaring guitars, but it's all downhill from there, when those guitars just don't let up.… Full Review »
  2. arascic
    Feb 16, 2017
    5
    A decent album. Nothing too special, but there are good cuts on this record. I recommend the following tracks: Absolutely, I Need Your Light,A decent album. Nothing too special, but there are good cuts on this record. I recommend the following tracks: Absolutely, I Need Your Light, Instant Breakup, Bouncy Castle and Suckers.… Full Review »
  3. LsSiel
    Oct 21, 2016
    10
    A nice prove of light! This album is very good. "Call me out" is my favorite. The violin and Wes' voice it's very energic and empowering. AnA nice prove of light! This album is very good. "Call me out" is my favorite. The violin and Wes' voice it's very energic and empowering. An enjoyable album with a lot of great songs!… Full Review »
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