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Now Only
by
Now Only Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

  • Summary: The ninth full-length release for Phil Elverum as Mount Eerie was written soon after the release of 2017's A Crow Looked At Me.
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  • Record Label: P.W. Elverum & Sun Ltd.
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Mar 16, 2018
    100
    The first time I listened to Now Only, it was raining and I cried for 10 minutes; after it ended, like a body after an exorcism, I felt lighter.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 21, 2018
    90
    Like its predecessor, Now Only lays profoundly bare Elverum’s grief. But although it is often an excruciating listen, it also finds room to step, however briefly, outside of the agony that marked its predecessor, if just for long enough to suggest that Elverum is, somehow, beginning to find some relief in the unbearable.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 16, 2018
    86
    If you choose to look for the metaphors, there's beauty and even redemption to be found in Now Only; if you don't, there's a kind of quiet acceptance in the numbness.
  4. Spin
    Mar 19, 2018
    80
    Less deadpan and more florid than its predecessor, Now Only is heartrending in new, different ways. Sonically, the record doesn’t stray far from Mount Eerie’s elemental standard operating procedures, where meandering, nylon-strung acoustic strum or heavy metal thunder underlie Elverum’s streams of consciousness.
  5. The Wire
    Jul 12, 2018
    80
    It occasionally breaks into shocking moments of lo-fi howl, as on the 11 minute “Distortion”, which begins with a juddering, buzzsaw chord. The jumbled and constant flow of imagery emerges every now and then from the tumult of his guitar, so that one pulls the other in a different direction. [May 2018, p.54]
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  6. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 28, 2018
    80
    Elverum’s voice’s masculinity-defying diffidence couldn’t be more indie, but his words now add all the weight he needs.
  7. The Guardian
    Mar 15, 2018
    60
    Now Only is an album it’s hard to imagine anyone listening to for pleasure: it’s incredibly brave and hugely--understandably--self-indulgent. What it does, unequivocally, is tell the truth, albeit a profoundly uncomfortable one.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. liammejia
    Mar 17, 2018
    10
    While not as raw, devastating, or gut-punching as it's predecessor, Now Only is certainly one of Phil Elverum's best albums - a thoughtful andWhile not as raw, devastating, or gut-punching as it's predecessor, Now Only is certainly one of Phil Elverum's best albums - a thoughtful and emotionally powerful study on life in the wake of loss, and a loving tribute to his late wife.… Expand
  2. malevolentdonut
    Mar 19, 2018
    10
    it's a bit more energetic than its predecessor, you can feel phil beginning to come to terms with the tragedy, a way less foggy outlook thanit's a bit more energetic than its predecessor, you can feel phil beginning to come to terms with the tragedy, a way less foggy outlook than in a crow looked at me, i love all the tracks but i keep thinking about how good 'two paintings by nikolai astrup' is, with that chord progression that dominates a huge portion of the long song but somehow I still want to hear more of it, very hypnotic. Overall it's a breathtaking album and I can't recommend it enough, and I can't wait to see what direction phil will take for the next album and I hope he's doing ok… Expand
  4. fwtll636
    May 12, 2018
    9
    It is obvious to anyone following Mount Eerie that this album is a continuation of his masterful 2017 release 'A Crow Looked at Me'. The songsIt is obvious to anyone following Mount Eerie that this album is a continuation of his masterful 2017 release 'A Crow Looked at Me'. The songs follow a similar structure as before yet it breaks your heart all over again.… Expand
  5. NeutralMilkH
    Mar 21, 2018
    9
    More instrumentally complex than his last album while still maintaining that emotional energy from the real-life tragedy that he had to liveMore instrumentally complex than his last album while still maintaining that emotional energy from the real-life tragedy that he had to live through, Phil Elverum manages to bring us another beautiful work of art that stuns us and makes us laugh in its awkwardness... I'm certainly interested to see what there isn't to like about this album other than its somewhat elongated nature and the lack of "extreme" impact compared to "A Crow Looked at Me" (which isn't even a fair critique since these are two albums recorded at two different times as Phil was changing his perspective on the whole ordeal.)
    Final Score: 9/10
    Favorite Tracks: Two Paintings by Nikolai Astrup/Earth
    Conclusion: The optimistic, vibrant sequel to "A Crow Looked at Me," if you can't like any aspect of this album... not the whole thing, just an aspect... if you honestly can't give this higher than a zero, then you literally have no **** soul.    … Expand
  6. joshuaoehler
    Apr 13, 2018
    8
    A most revered form of purpose for any art form is the ability to provide some comfort to oneself, and others, by expressing the pain rawlyA most revered form of purpose for any art form is the ability to provide some comfort to oneself, and others, by expressing the pain rawly felt in life. This album does that beautifully. It contemplates the time spent ticking away in life and all the energy expended living it.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    More light hearted than the devastation of "A Crow Looked At Me" but still as depressed. There's a recovery present in these songs that looksMore light hearted than the devastation of "A Crow Looked At Me" but still as depressed. There's a recovery present in these songs that looks at everything through a grey lenses, death making him more grateful rather than dejected.… Expand
  8. F0rZ3r0
    Apr 11, 2018
    7
    It's no Crow, that much can be said. While this continues to delve in on the impact of Genevieve's death on Phil, this is beginning to feelIt's no Crow, that much can be said. While this continues to delve in on the impact of Genevieve's death on Phil, this is beginning to feel stretched on. This feels like a man telling you stories about his life to you and a mix of very hard-hitting thoughts Phil has had. In the end, I feel like this isn't as powerful as Crow, and feels like it's dragging on as I already said. The album has somewhat instrumentally improved over Crow, but not by much quite honestly.… Expand

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