Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. May 8, 2013
    60
    Nocturnes finds her settling on one that aspires to the distance of Saint Etienne's Sarah Cracknell or Sophie Ellis-Bextor. She’s not quite there, and when her approach doesn’t work, it really doesn’t. Nocturnes is a big improvement over Hands, though, where even the biggest singles' hooks were made of saccharine, not sugar.
  2. May 7, 2013
    60
    The trouble with Little Boots’ choice in house music is that there’s little room for experimentation. At times, lyrics rhyme just to be adhesive and the beats drone on and on and on.
  3. May 6, 2013
    60
    Little Boots’ hooks rarely fall flat but can’t fully take off, either--they’re chained to the dance floor.
  4. May 2, 2013
    60
    The results here feel somewhat less spirited.
  5. May 30, 2013
    59
    Nocturnes rates better as an album that sounds better with time, as opposed to Hands’ sugar rush appeal. However, it also retains an uneven quality that can make getting through Nocturnes feel like someone trying to drag the party on a little too long.
  6. May 23, 2013
    58
    It’s Nocturnes' two sleek singles (“Motorway,” “Broken Record”) that manage the best in dark electronic allure with shiny, hook-driven choruses.
  7. Album two features some catchy and classy electronic dance music.... Unfortunately though, ‘Broken Record’ sounds like a Eurovision-endorsed soundtrack to Cassack dancing and ‘Satellites’ is a limp version of Madonna’s ‘Ray Of Light.’
  8. Q Magazine
    May 13, 2013
    40
    Choruses fizzle, lyrics fail to engage and every song is at least a minute too long. [Jun 2013, p.102]
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Negative: 3 out of 32
  1. May 19, 2013
    3
    Little Boot’s first album was released way back in 2013. To have a five year gap between first and second albums for a pop artists is a longLittle Boot’s first album was released way back in 2013. To have a five year gap between first and second albums for a pop artists is a long period. Her first album, had it’s moments, but it just felt like it got worse over repeat listens. However, I was excited to see a new album, to see which avenues of pop she would venture down; she goes down none whatsoever.

    Every track is over four minuets apart from “Every Night I Say A Prayer”. Nocturnes is more of a dance album than anything taking inspiration from eras of Electronic music gone by to create an unattractive mix of Disco/House and soft Electro. I can’t get a hold on this album, at all. The album begins with “Motorway”, which is nice, but why open with that? Maybe it’s a new beginning, I just don’t know. The album doesn’t do anything for me. It goes on and on and on. Don’t get me wrong, Daft Punk have done similar Disco sounding tracks, just look at Discovery, and I love Daft Punk, but Little Boots doesn’t handle it well. She handles 80′s synth pop with layers of possibly modern dance.

    This album doesn’t suit her, it feels out of place. I didn’t actually want to go back for a second listen, I had to force myself, because whilst it can be nice at some point, even catchy on songs like “Satellite”, I can’t tell if it’s good music, or just annoying.

    I did happen to enjoy one song, “Crescendo”. But the song actually reminds me a lot of a song by Selena Gomez and the Scene featuring Pixie Lott, not exactly the zenith of pop music, but nevertheless, it’s enjoyable. The album from “Crescendo” onwards is easier to enjoy, but track nine “All For You” feel limp, and a closer at that. I was surprised to hear another track to finish the album off, it just wouldn’t end.

    Overall, there may be something for you in this album. It does have it’s warmer elements where it doesn’t try to hard, where it can become enjoyable, but there is little substance here, I feel like you can just hold on and stay sane.
    Full Review »
  2. May 16, 2013
    10
    This is a such great album, even better than her debut "hands". Nocturnes shows a Little Boots more mature and full of experiences in clubs.This is a such great album, even better than her debut "hands". Nocturnes shows a Little Boots more mature and full of experiences in clubs. Her experience as a dj is involved throughout the 10 tracks. besides creating hooks and pop songs creates a dance floor to be removed only shaking it. Full Review »
  3. May 7, 2013
    7
    Some song really sound DIY, others sound just so over-done. The synths in every song are amazing.

    The only thing I could say against this
    Some song really sound DIY, others sound just so over-done. The synths in every song are amazing.

    The only thing I could say against this album is that Little Boots sometimes sounds like the lyrics doesn't mean anything, kinda emotion-less. I guess that's just how she sings. But that's what takes the magic off it for me. I'd like to hear her moaning over the love she lost or just gleeful on the dance-floor.

    But anyway this is an superb album, and will get stuck in your head for sure.
    Full Review »