User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Palo Santo
by
Palo Santo Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 185 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British electronic pop trio led by Olly Alexander features contributions from such artist as Greg Kurstin, Steve Mac, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, and Two Inch Punch.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

If You're Over Me
[Verse 1] It's like thunder and lightning You hurt me without trying A tempest, you was rising And no I don't like to be this way And you're Jekyll... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 16, 2018
    100
    Filthy, sexy, thoroughly debauched pop at its finest; Palo Santo feels like a magical album.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 5, 2018
    90
    An album that sees Years & Years revisit the musical, lyrical and aesthetic concerns of their debut and refresh them with unprecedented confidence and self-knowledge.
  3. Mojo
    Jul 5, 2018
    80
    Sonically rich and lyrically intense. [Aug 2018, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 5, 2018
    80
    When the songs do drop in tempo, they’re stripped down so the sound is soulful and raw, rather than sickly sweet.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Jul 6, 2018
    80
    Years & Years offer a blueprint for UK pop that carries on the lineage of Pet Shop Boys and George Michael but is also forward-thinking and connected to the broader scene. And that really is something to be proud of.
  6. Under The Radar
    Jul 24, 2018
    80
    Most impressively, while Palo Santo jumps between genres, it is surprisingly cohesive. These songs are best heard as an album and they reinforce one another in context.
  7. Spin
    Jul 18, 2018
    50
    Beaty and bouncy but less meaty, Palo Santo is for now an unsatisfying follow-up to a terrific debut.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. gusttmagrin
    Sep 5, 2020
    10
    esse álbum é perfeito, All For You, If You're Over Me, Lucky Escape e Play são as minhas favoritas do álbum
  2. threepm
    Jul 9, 2018
    10
    I was hesitant at first as I wasn't a huge fan of their second single from this album. However, I heard it out of context to the rest of theI was hesitant at first as I wasn't a huge fan of their second single from this album. However, I heard it out of context to the rest of the album. This album is a masterpiece in songwriting and lyrics. In a very very rare accomplishment their sophomore album is as good or perhaps even better and more mature than their debut album.

    Olly's voice has clearly grown and gotten stronger. The songwriting is A+ they are making music that they want to create. They are doing their own thing without tyring to copy or sound like anyone else but clearly influenced by many different artists from years past.    … Expand
  4. Akura-ou
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    The album is much more mature than its predecessor. It shows the singer's vocal abilities more clearly and better.
  5. leomohan
    Jul 6, 2018
    10
    I was a fan of their music and sound, but not Communion as a whole, which I felt lacked cohesion. However, Palo Santo is a masterpiece of aI was a fan of their music and sound, but not Communion as a whole, which I felt lacked cohesion. However, Palo Santo is a masterpiece of a sophomore album. Each track contributes to a narrative and demonstrates growth and unity. Olly's voice continues to exceed expectations and the story of Palo Santo is a captivating narrative that blends human nature with how we view religion. Overall, I have nothing but positives to say about this album, and I can't wait to see how they carry their concept further.… Expand
  6. juntaoyu
    Jul 7, 2018
    10
    Was a fan before. Now feel like I am completely refreshed. Nice job on integrating Olly's voice to such diverse genres!
  7. Masquic
    Jul 7, 2018
    8
    I'm truly amazed for how much this album is good. The melodies and vocal work in every song are just on point. Every minute of this albumI'm truly amazed for how much this album is good. The melodies and vocal work in every song are just on point. Every minute of this album makes you want more from Years & Years. It's without a doubt one of the bests of the year!… Expand
  8. DavidWasHere
    Jul 6, 2018
    6
    While Years and Years debut, Communion, didn't set the world on fire, I was excited for the followup, hoping that maybe they can build uponWhile Years and Years debut, Communion, didn't set the world on fire, I was excited for the followup, hoping that maybe they can build upon their debut to something bigger, better, and grander. Unfortunately it felt more of the same, sadly. That's not to say the album is bad necessarily, at it's best the production is colorful and full of textures, like on dance-jams like on All For You, Hallelujah, and Karma, however it is weighed down by bad production choices, like the darker lead off single Sanctify that the band cannot pull off, to the annoying synth melody on If You're Over Me, to the more intense trap production reminiscent of TNGHT on Lucky Escape that doesn't flatter the band, and the dull ballads that also plagued Communion. While it is admirable for the more queer topics and openness that Ollie Alexander brings to the table, unfortunately his vocals are just too weak to carry any strength or real emotion besides quivering and stiffness. I wouldn't call this bad exactly, even with some overproduction there are some great melodies, textures, and hooks here, and the lyrical content is very meaty at times, and this album will certainly mean a lot for the band's LGBT fan base, however it's more hit or miss than triumphant, and that's the real shame.… Expand

See all 26 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2018
67
#67 Most Shared Album of 2018

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »