Planetarium
by Sufjan Stevens
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2017
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Mojo
    Jun 27, 2017
    60
    There are some lovely moments. ... But ultimately, the impossible ambition of Planetarium looms over every single moment. [Aug 2017, p.89]
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  2. Pitchfork
    Jun 13, 2017
    60
    It’s the slowest and least cluttered instrumentals that feel here the most effectively expansive, capturing the scope of the quartet’s chosen themes without collapsing beneath symbolism and meaning-making.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jun 9, 2017
    60
    There’s undeniably magical moments here, and taken in small doses it can be a cosmic voyage. All in one go though, its sheer scale can be as daunting as the vastness of what lies beyond the stratosphere.
  5. AllMusic
    Jun 8, 2017
    60
    It's a sprawling effort with an over-70-minute running time, but also a haunting one, recommended for musically adventurous stargazers of all types.
  6. Q Magazine
    Jun 7, 2017
    60
    Moments of spine-tingling transcendence outweigh those of aimless noodling. [Aug 2017, p.110]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    Jun 9, 2017
    58
    It generally just plays like a wash of ideas without much of a through-line, despite its galaxy-driven conceit.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Jun 7, 2017
    50
    There are numerous disparate elements at play, reflecting the different backgrounds of the contributors, and while sometimes it all comes together beautifully, at others it feels either strangely flat or rather a chaotic, over-egged mess, with the clash of influences jarring rather than blooming.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 70
  3. Negative: 5 out of 70
  1. AkumaJack
    Jun 20, 2017
    7
    Is a decent album, but i don't quite like all the ambient-esque fillers here and there. And i'm not talking about the 1 minute instrumentalIs a decent album, but i don't quite like all the ambient-esque fillers here and there. And i'm not talking about the 1 minute instrumental songs " a la" Illinois.
    I'm talking about the HUGE 10 minute boring (for me) interlude between Mars and Moon. In an album long almost 90 minutes is overkill imo. (same it goes for the 4 minute intro in "Earth").

    If you strip away all those pretty boring bits is quite a solid album, especially songs like Mercury and Saturn that are more pop than others like Mars (still a killing track though).

    If you like atmospheric instrumental interlude you'll love this album tho. If you do not you can just skip "Sun" and "Black Energy" and save 10 minutes of your time.    … Full Review »
  2. Estoniantoad
    Jun 15, 2017
    10
    If you want to widen your perspective of universe or rather planet system, this is the album for you. Of course there´s some work to be done,If you want to widen your perspective of universe or rather planet system, this is the album for you. Of course there´s some work to be done, but come on dude, you are going all the way, so little work won´t hurt. But I promise you after repeated listens of this album you will be guaranteed the experience of a lifetime, also you will not only visit all these planets, you will also go into the deepest parts of mind, soul and blood of Sufjan Stevens. So deep, that you will sweat his sweat. This album is total perfection, only thing that can top is the live concert, by the way I have the ticket, yes the ticket to his planetarium!!!!… Full Review »
  3. Music_Observer
    Aug 15, 2017
    8
    This was a beautiful collaboration of four very intelligent musicians that knew how to combine their different backgrounds to work towards aThis was a beautiful collaboration of four very intelligent musicians that knew how to combine their different backgrounds to work towards a common goal, having a nice detectable release and unhurriedness in their sound as their process unfolded, asking only for the listener’s unwavering patience. My Score: 148/180 (Great) = 8.2/10… Full Review »
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