- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Oct 28, 2010It's a downbeat record that reclaim's dubstep's original dark energy and experimental imperative.
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Jan 13, 2011While North is a far cry from Darkstar's previous releases, it's a nice addition to the world of electronica. This album sets the duo apart from their label mates, but retains the dark atmosphere that Hyperdub artists are known for.
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Oct 22, 2010Like a virus-ridden PC vainly trying to upload lovelorn messages over dial-up to its neglectful owner, this side-stepping of the usual Hyperdub format is most welcome. We want more.
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Oct 28, 2010North not only blurs the lines of genre, but it does so both effortlessly and convincingly. Darkstar took a risk in straying from a template that had already served them well, but nobody ever made a great record by playing it safe.
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Nov 2, 2010North is an album intended to be accessible, and it embodies its time and place more honestly than most records released this year--which is a risky thing to say while also acknowledging that the title refers to a time as well as a place: the Northern England of Joy Division and The Human League.
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MojoNov 9, 2010Remorselessly absorbing debut from stars in waiting on dub-step's Def Jam. [Dec. 2010, p. 107]
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Oct 28, 2010Ultimately, Darkstar's maturation from dubstep's next big things into modern pop classicists continues to intrigue.
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Oct 28, 2010North is definitely Hyperdub's most pop-friendly release, but it's also one of its most conservative-- not a bad thing, just an interesting one given the importance label integrity plays in the electronic dance music world.
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Q MagazineNov 4, 2010Not all of it convinces; Buttery's vocals can stray into a chill-out. But this is still an absorbing record that deserves to break hearts beyond the confines of the dubstep scene. [Dec. 2010, p. 108]
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Oct 28, 2010While the first of these musical qualities is readily apparent on North, the album is also full of emotion-sometimes brooding, sometimes thoughtful and reflective.
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Oct 27, 2010For evidence as to why labeling subgenres of electronic music is tedious, look no further than this debut LP from UK collective Darkstar.
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The WireDec 22, 2010These are worn vintage sounds, but the songs here lack the choruses and hooks to invest them with fresh life, and Buttery's voice is forgettable. [Dec 2010, p.46]
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UncutOct 29, 2010The result is a promising record that's much closer in tone and sentiment to an act like Hurts than they'd presumably be comfortable with. [Dec 2010, p.88]
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Dec 21, 2010The main problem is that the songs too often feel like sketches. The punchline is sold too quickly, the finish too abrupt.