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Pala
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Pala Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The British dance trio's second album was produced by Paul Epworth.
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Top Track

Hurting
I can feel in my body Chains on me are breaking loose I can feel in my body Standing tall I make the moves With the sun kissing my face There's no... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    May 24, 2011
    91
    The indie dance act hits those heights [of single "Blue Cassette"] 10 more times. [27 May 2011, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The A.V. Club
    May 24, 2011
    83
    Pala feels like a great shindig-starter, complete with wiggly, disco basslines and subtext-free lyrics like "All I want is to feel true love."
  3. No Ripcord
    May 16, 2011
    80
    Pala is music for the here and the now, with a hedonistic samba swing and a cheeky smile – don't start worrying about tomorrow – after all, it's still a day away.
  4. Boston Globe
    May 31, 2011
    80
    Naturally, each successive track is more feel-goody than the last; every chorus is a confessional, a burst floodgate, a pleasure in a few minutes.
  5. PopMatters
    May 23, 2011
    70
    I'd never advise any one to turn off their brain when listening to a record, but Friendly Fires certainly seem to encourage this. The euphoric dawn rising off their island getaway is mighty persuasive.
  6. Under The Radar
    May 26, 2011
    70
    Ultimately, it's a comfort zone guaranteed to get bodies on the dancefloor, and it becomes difficult to argue predictability verses innovation with a drink in your hand and a groove in your step.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    May 16, 2011
    40
    Friendly Fires' follow-up to their Mercury-nominated debut is a huge disappointment.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MaxRofls
    Aug 10, 2011
    10
    Forest and Matt have got it all wrong. Track for track, the only song from "self-titled" that exceeds ANY of the songs on Pala is "Jump in theForest and Matt have got it all wrong. Track for track, the only song from "self-titled" that exceeds ANY of the songs on Pala is "Jump in the Pool". Other than that, Pala is WAYYYYYYYYY better. Better hooks, better tone, better production, better EVERYTHING. This is a definite step forward for this band.… Expand
  2. DJunior
    Jun 11, 2017
    10
    Excellent album. All the tracks made me feel good. My favorite album of all time.
    I really hope they make a 3rd album. I've been waiting for    Excellent album. All the tracks made me feel good. My favorite album of all time.
    I really hope they make a 3rd album. I've been waiting for years and I know they're not gonna dissapoint me.
    Big fan of their work    … Collapse
  4. JengoMango
    Jan 12, 2012
    9
    There's so much music coming at you from all directions that sometimes all behind your control you miss out on some of the good stuff. WhyThere's so much music coming at you from all directions that sometimes all behind your control you miss out on some of the good stuff. Why haven't I discovered this album during summer?! So bright, so unapologetically pop, so much fun! An unlistenable crap like Teenage Dream produces 5 #1 hits and this doesn't?! For another reference point it is also better than Cut Copy's Zonoscope, because it is preoccupied with abundant joy than contrivance.… Expand
  5. Forestgravy
    May 28, 2011
    5
    Disappointing. Far from being a poor album but lacks almost all of the charm and the joyfully careless attitude that pulsated through theDisappointing. Far from being a poor album but lacks almost all of the charm and the joyfully careless attitude that pulsated through the speakers on their self-titled debut. It seems like they are making a record that they feel they should make, rather than one they want to make. Also, practically no shoegaze elements which gave them an added depth. Musical progression is essential but this seems far more unimaginitive than their first.… Expand
  6. mattchumon
    Jun 23, 2011
    5
    Other than Hawaiian Air not much else works on this album. It is a cliche term but this album was overproduced. Back off the mixing board andOther than Hawaiian Air not much else works on this album. It is a cliche term but this album was overproduced. Back off the mixing board and write a decent song first.… Expand

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