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PAINLESS
by
PAINLESS Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: London-based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya worked with Wilma Archer, Jazzi Bobbi, Bullion, and Andrew Sarlo for her second full-length release.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Mar 18, 2022
    100
    Because there’s a rap-type of percussion to her music, it’s hard to tell whether she’s ready to break into an indie harmony or some lo-fi poetry – yet this unpredictability is what makes PAINLESS so exciting to sit through. ... This should rubber-stamp Nilüfer Yanya as a generational star.
  2. Under The Radar
    Mar 4, 2022
    85
    It’s the sheer power of her songwriting and her intricate arrangements that leave you dazzled and in no doubt that Yanya is a songwriter and musician of immense talent for whom the sky’s the limit.
  3. Pitchfork
    Mar 4, 2022
    84
    Her voice is a tender muscle; her songs have a sinewy twist, and her loud-quiet guitar can flood in as unexpectedly as cheeks flushing at the wrong moment. What’s remarkable about PAINLESS is how she whittles almost everything down—the near-monomaniacal emotional range, the abrupt, broken language, her palette reduced to smoke and ash and nerves—and makes even more of an impact.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 2, 2022
    80
    Crunchy, ethereal, and odd in its harsh beauty, PAINLESS is a record of contradictions that Yanya spectacularly weaves together. Allowing us to see more of Nilüfer Yanya – as a person, as a musician, as a lyricist – each part is as intriguing and rewarding to dive into as the last.
  5. Clash Music
    Mar 3, 2022
    80
    A song cycle that touches on identity, loss, and the path through it all, it’s one marked by maturity and a growing awareness of the potency of her own talents.
  6. Uncut
    Mar 2, 2022
    80
    More inward-looking than her conceptual debut, its emotive lyrics lending themselves to a more tightly focused musical palette. [Apr 2022, p.36]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. musicOMH.com
    Mar 2, 2022
    60
    The idea that synthetic beats only serve to sterilise is ridiculous and passé – but while they show potential for something really interesting here, they do have the effect of cooling and sterilising an otherwise warm and welcoming record.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. JShaw516
    Mar 4, 2022
    9
    Amazing second album! Nilüfer Yanya seems to be settling into something more downtempo and grounded but does not falter in building theAmazing second album! Nilüfer Yanya seems to be settling into something more downtempo and grounded but does not falter in building the atmosphere she's known for… Expand
  2. indiemonster
    Mar 7, 2022
    9
    A fantastic sophomore album pulling influences from everywhere with stellar production and her unique vocals make this an AOTY contender
  4. spacemanrecords
    Mar 6, 2022
    8
    This record just speaks to so many of my sensibilities and sounds like I like. Nilufer creates a really wonderful soundscape, consisting ofThis record just speaks to so many of my sensibilities and sounds like I like. Nilufer creates a really wonderful soundscape, consisting of Indie/ Jazz/ Hip Hop. Often times the melodies resemble those of Radiohead which is the best compliment...

    This is the type of record that grows on you with each listen. Songs that just seemed OK on the first go around, will begin to reveal themselves to be AMAZING.

    This is my favorite release from this week, and I look forward to continuing the dive in to this album.

    My favorite songs are L/R, Stabilise, Try, Anotherlife.

    Im rating this a HIGH 8 to LIGHT 9    … Expand
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Mar 4, 2022
    7
    moody guitar rock thrives with Yanya brilliant deep jazzy vocals. influenced by Radiohead arpeggios reminiscent of ''in rainbows'', especiallymoody guitar rock thrives with Yanya brilliant deep jazzy vocals. influenced by Radiohead arpeggios reminiscent of ''in rainbows'', especially on midnight sun, her return ,leaves little to be desired as she sinks into herself(''In a couple days I’m gonna lose this / In a couple places getting bruises / Just to heal my body'')and is a bliss watching as she threads worries into sticky narratives about loves pain an her longing resilience. unlike the previous stellar ''miss universe this record isn't interrupted by unnecessary skis but a lid heady record reminiscent of tirzahs 2021 release. the standout ''midnight sun'' is a sonic sludge that attempts to be vulnerable and protected all at once('Peeling back not noticing /The blood and bones beneath my skin. Feelings that we can’t compare / Taking chances anywhere'') but even in hose candid you feel at arms length from her but not in such a way the music doesn't resonate(it really does!)

    in comparison to the fiery debut hat almost melts with it's ferocity but this cool follow up stabiles into a swirling compilation of bleeding proclamations hat i just cannot stop repeating    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2022

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