Paracosm
by Washed Out
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Aug 13, 2013
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
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  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 20, 2013
    60
    Some detached ambient pieces remain, but at its best it makes for luxuriant listening. [Sep 2013, p.106]
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  2. Spin
    Aug 12, 2013
    60
    Each track bleeds into the next with seamless precision, borrowing each other's fantastical effects from both mid-century analog plug-ins and modern digital tricks.
  3. Consequence
    Aug 12, 2013
    60
    Elsewhere, he mistakes AOR-ready sentimentality and banal lyrics for perfect summer-album material, which seems like a misdirected pursuit--Within and Without already was a near-perfect summer album.
  5. NOW Magazine
    Aug 8, 2013
    60
    The 80s funk references are more submerged under the washes of synthetic drones, and the songs even more pastoral than before. Still, there’s nothing here quite as immediately satisfying as Feel It All Around off his 2010 Life Of Leisure EP.
  6. Clash Music
    Aug 7, 2013
    60
    Loose vocals meander through the whirling haze, the album more suited to intimate, personal listening rather than gatherings in the sun.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Aug 12, 2013
    50
    Paracosm is, at the very least, beautifully rendered wallpaper, and it’s hard to blame Greene for living in this fantasy for as long as he possibly can.
  8. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Aug 13, 2013
    40
    On Parocosm, Ernest Greene tips his hand too early, too obviously: there’s not a lot to make you believe that he genuinely finds these sounds beautiful without some sort of winking hipness.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 12, 2013
    40
    "Chillwave", the genre with which Washed Out, or Ernest Greene, is synonymous, was always a tongue-in-cheek name but this remains non-ironic music about nothing more interesting than vague good vibes.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 12, 2013
    40
    Mostly, Paracosm is Chromatics if their nocturnal danger was replaced by nocturnal emissions, or Beach House if they got so stoned they forgot to change chords for minutes at a time.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 37
  3. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. WadeVS
    Aug 28, 2013
    9
    I began listening to this album prepared to dislike it, based on the sheer number of pallid, synthy bands are out now. I was overwhelmed withI began listening to this album prepared to dislike it, based on the sheer number of pallid, synthy bands are out now. I was overwhelmed with warmth and goodness that came off it. It has turned out to be my favourite album of the year so far. Just perfect. Maybe slightly too perfect. But go ahead and love it.… Full Review »
  2. iancm1996
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    This albums sets a mood, rather than telling a story or being revolutionary in any sense. But it succeds in a very spectacular fashion byThis albums sets a mood, rather than telling a story or being revolutionary in any sense. But it succeds in a very spectacular fashion by making an intense and absorbing atmosphere by a combination of densely packed electronics, reverb, intense basslines and slow rhythms. Also, it's very consistent throughout all the songs. The two opening tracks are epic and the climax, I'm talking about the song Paracosm, is such a bliss... This album is perfect for taking in some drugs... It is indeed a beautiful trip where the last two songs serve as a good way down to reality in such a peaceful and satisfactory manner. The rating I gave the album is because of that, but another reason why I gave it such a high rating is because it was the soundtrack in a very important part of my life. I believe it was the best part of my life and I didn't knew that back then.… Full Review »
  3. kidkevin
    Aug 13, 2013
    9
    This album is a very beautiful warm dreamscape, seamlessly drifting from track to track. It feels like very Warm drowsy music. If you areThis album is a very beautiful warm dreamscape, seamlessly drifting from track to track. It feels like very Warm drowsy music. If you are interested in chillwave at all give it a listen.… Full Review »
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