Noonday Dream
by Ben Howard
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jun 1, 2018
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 48
  3. Negative: 5 out of 48
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  1. wanderingmoon
    Jun 3, 2018
    9
    In Noonday Dream, Ben has built an oasis of ethereal, sprawling soundscapes. Sit back, relax and allow yourself to drift away. It won't be the sound of your radio summer, but not all music has to be.
  2. Doof
    Jun 5, 2018
    8
    The man is surely channeling 'World of Echo' Arthur Russell through the vocal chords of Jose Gonzalez, thankfully he's doing a successful job at it. A grower (as if you needed this spelling out) and wonderfully expansive, this has an addictive ebb and flow to it. One to relax into.
  3. travisdyck
    Jun 5, 2018
    10
    Incredible follow up to I Forget Where We Were, an album that didn't seem possible to top. Yet Ben has somehow managed to come up with a piece of work that builds on his past accomplishments, explores new moods and sonic territories, while at the same time being so uniquely its own. Unlike anything he has done before, and yet Noonday Dream feels like a natural progression from his priorIncredible follow up to I Forget Where We Were, an album that didn't seem possible to top. Yet Ben has somehow managed to come up with a piece of work that builds on his past accomplishments, explores new moods and sonic territories, while at the same time being so uniquely its own. Unlike anything he has done before, and yet Noonday Dream feels like a natural progression from his prior work. An album to get lost in and discover more and more of as the years go by.… Expand
  4. andrewireland
    Sep 12, 2021
    10
    Only coming back to this album after listening to something else, having worn yourself out listening to it, do you realise just how good it is. A classic. Who knew they were still possible.
  5. Brendonh93
    Jun 4, 2018
    6
    This album just isn't for me the instrumentation is spot on but makes it a tough listen as I feel some of the tracks just drag on and are far to ambient. I appricate the feel and the talent that has gone into this album but like I say it just isn't for me which is a shame.
  6. terminaljunkie
    Jun 1, 2018
    7
    It is rich both in instrumentation, vocals and lyrics for the most part but for me it feels too personal to Ben himself, introspective and not a little downbeat at times. There are some gorgeous moments when you really feel things start to take off but then it returns to a slow burn that takes the shine off.

    Ben is a fantastic musician crafting songs with love and care that mean so much    It is rich both in instrumentation, vocals and lyrics for the most part but for me it feels too personal to Ben himself, introspective and not a little downbeat at times. There are some gorgeous moments when you really feel things start to take off but then it returns to a slow burn that takes the shine off.

    Ben is a fantastic musician crafting songs with love and care that mean so much to him. But as a listener though I would love to hear and feel his joy with the world conveyed with an upbeat, less sprawling and complex musical vista.

    I really love his work, but this is not his best.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PopMatters
    Aug 2, 2018
    60
    For all the times where Noonday Dream gets, well, a little too dreamy, "Nica Libres at Dusk" demonstrates further possibility for Howard's songwriting. If he's able to marry his chops with acoustic instruments to his penchant for electronic and ambient music, without letting one take precedence over the other, he'd be on his way to a masterpiece that, at their best, each of his three records thus far has hinted at.
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  2. Mojo
    Jun 28, 2018
    80
    The result is a meditative set full pf surprises, and songs that haunt. [Aug 2018, p.90]
  3. Uncut
    Jun 15, 2018
    80
    Each track comes shrouded in glitchy systems noise and Eno-esque ambient drones. The best moments maintain Howard's way with a melody. [Aug 2018, p.28]
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