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Pause
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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: The second Four Tet album from producer Kieran Hebden (who is also in the band Fridge), 'Pause' is a dense, eclectic collection of a variety of electronic and live instrumentation and found sounds.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. PopMatters
    100
    Pound for pound, the songs of Pause are far more interesting and multi-layered than most of your general ambient music available on the shelves today.... A mesmerizing work.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    It is its author Kieran Hebden's best work to date and confirms the prolific young soundmeister as a major talent.
  3. Dot Music
    90
    A far more sonically ambitious statement than its predecessors, perfectly fusing organic sounds with production techniques that are usually the preserve of underground dance producers or R&B mavericks.
  4. Pitchfork
    80
    When measured against Four Tet's prior output, this latest effort does come as something of a disappointment; but by most other yardsticks, it's downright brilliant.
  5. Resonance
    80
    A strange and delightful record full of surprises. [#32, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Organic as dirt, and full of an acidhead's sense of space, this one's a winner from start to finish.
  7. Q Magazine
    60
    Hebden has a rare ability to make his delicate instrumentals engaging and unpretentious.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Eragon20
    Jun 3, 2019
    10
    Pause remains the most organic and grounded Four Tet album; listening is almost a spiritual experience.
  2. jasonh
    Jul 7, 2005
    10
    A one-man mission to bring folk music kicking and screaming into the 21st century...slips effortlessly between genres, adding hip-hop and A one-man mission to bring folk music kicking and screaming into the 21st century...slips effortlessly between genres, adding hip-hop and R'n'B to an already potent mix of influence... has the ability to create exquisite soundscapes that are also moving expressions of human emotion.… Expand
  4. JonFriskC
    Aug 28, 2006
    10
    Fantastic
  5. MikeR
    Mar 3, 2003
    9
    This is one of the most COMPLETE albums I've heard in a while. Both moody and upbeat at times, this album does a wonderful job of This is one of the most COMPLETE albums I've heard in a while. Both moody and upbeat at times, this album does a wonderful job of spanning the emotional spectrum. It's a very reflective collection of tunes and is very, very easy to listen from beginning to end.… Expand
  6. clem666
    Dec 28, 2021
    9
    'Pause' is as touching as organic tissue : it is alive and directly attempts to communicate with us. Tracks go on and on following each other'Pause' is as touching as organic tissue : it is alive and directly attempts to communicate with us. Tracks go on and on following each other with a surprising consistence despite Four Tet's eclectic and genre-blending approach. Twenty years separate them but still we can easily recognize Four Tet's efforts on recent Madlib's 'Sound Acestors', especially on tracks 'Theme de Crabtree', 'Hopprock', 'Riddim Chant', 'Latino Negro', 'The New Normal' or even 'Chino' (well almost all of this record).

    I take it as a sign for this artist to have crafted what could easily be considered as his best material. It is pure, it is breathtaking, it feels new every time you listen to it, it is both almost religious and highly rhythmic (almost clannish and ritualistic), it is distorted while being deeply rooted in the present, and it is of one the most insolent beauty. 'Untangled' and 'Tangle' amongst others reminded me of C418's 'Minecraft - Volume Alpha'. 'No More Mosquitoes' made me remember 'Duumbiyay' from Madlib. Well I guess that this is it : 'Pause' will certainly make you travel through passed and not yet produced memories.    … Expand
  7. GordonK
    Apr 28, 2003
    9
    A must have Album for all Electronica lovers. Less jazzy and more eclectic than his previous releases but with the same stunning production. A must have Album for all Electronica lovers. Less jazzy and more eclectic than his previous releases but with the same stunning production. Clearly influenced by the likes of Eno, Reich & Susumo Yokota as well as Big Beat, Jazz and Psychedelia, the album remains amazingly seemless and complete. Catch him live if you can. … Expand

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best Album of 2001
98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2001