User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Pompeii
by
Pompeii Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 18 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth full-length release for Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon was co-produced with Samur Khouja.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. The Independent (UK)
    Feb 3, 2022
    100
    Chaos is incoming. Yet the Welsh artist’s sixth album never fully unleashes that chaos; she restrains it, wrestles with it, and in doing so exacerbates its sense of unease. Written in complete isolation in Cardiff, Pompeii demonstrates Le Bon’s flair for the surreal, while exploring themes close to home: religious guilt, family, death.
  2. Under The Radar
    Feb 2, 2022
    90
    Compared with Reward, these songs fill up greater volumes, but they still in many ways feel like companion pieces, united by a reverential dedication to the oblique as the direct, the spasm as control, the heart as the mind.
  3. Pitchfork
    Feb 7, 2022
    85
    Le Bon’s creative power remains in the circuitous jaggedness with which she navigates pop and poetry, uncertainty and revelation.
  4. Mojo
    Feb 1, 2022
    80
    The corners of these songs might not snag quite as dangerously as before, but there's no blunting of the fascination Le Bon's songwriting so expertly exerts. [Mar 2022, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. DIY Magazine
    Feb 3, 2022
    80
    It makes for a quiet reinvention in the face of adversity, with Le Bon as stylistically light on her feet as ever.
  6. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 3, 2022
    80
    Pompeii shows Le Bon happily wandering into the obscure corners of what pop music can become, establishing a well-earned spot as one of today’s most captivating visionaries.
  7. The Guardian
    Feb 1, 2022
    60
    Pompeii is noticeably more subdued than much of her earlier work. Where once there was a playfulness in the arrangements, the slow and austere songs here sound as if they’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. bmkastelan
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    A master class in subtlety. The songs continue to unravel and reveal themselves with each listen. Expanding on her trajectory from Reward, LeA master class in subtlety. The songs continue to unravel and reveal themselves with each listen. Expanding on her trajectory from Reward, Le Bon has mastered using her voice as an instrument, blending it together with the instruments to complete chords. Beautiful and haunting.… Expand
  2. SurrealMcCoy
    Feb 7, 2022
    10
    The unfathomable Cate Le Bon delivered her most hypnotic and generous album to date. A stunning gem of abstract pop without a wasted moment,The unfathomable Cate Le Bon delivered her most hypnotic and generous album to date. A stunning gem of abstract pop without a wasted moment, it consistently dazzles.… Expand
  4. earthintruder
    Mar 30, 2023
    10
    She really outdid herself on this one, personally this is now my favorite record from her followed by reward.
    Fav songs: Moderation,    She really outdid herself on this one, personally this is now my favorite record from her followed by reward.
    Fav songs: Moderation, Remmembering me, Harbour    … Expand
  5. andeles
    Feb 4, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think Cate Le BON can do better,After all, I'm not a music magazine writer,I can't talk about music in an objective way,but subjectively, I like the Baroque pop very much,This album still has the mystery and magic of her last album,The cover of the album has the color of Renaissance,This is a fantastic album.… Expand
  6. spacemanrecords
    Feb 6, 2022
    8
    This is my first time sitting with a Cate Le Bon Album, and I must say… I am loving the soundscape that she paints on this!

    It is such that    This is my first time sitting with a Cate Le Bon Album, and I must say… I am loving the soundscape that she paints on this!

    It is such that I instantly get drawn in and I want to just live in the swelling chords and vocals. There are lots of new wave and 80s sensibilities on this that I quite like as well…

    Favorite songs are Moderation, French Boys, Cry Me Old Trouble.

    I’m giving it a strong 8    … Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 27, 2022
    7
    her most restrained and moody piece so far which feels like a promising step in another direction. ''Pompeii' is cate le bon take on the 80'sher most restrained and moody piece so far which feels like a promising step in another direction. ''Pompeii' is cate le bon take on the 80's and it is a refreshing listen. it's not s unpredictable and thrilling as 2019's ''reward'' but it's still a satisfying follow up, bound to be an overlooked gem. the production feels reminiscent of blood oranges dev hyns whilst still keeping her idiosyncratic warble.… Expand
  8. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 12, 2022
    7
    Cate Le Bon's sixth studio album "Pompeii" is a melodic journey into the unknown with soothing sounds of saxophone and synths. TheCate Le Bon's sixth studio album "Pompeii" is a melodic journey into the unknown with soothing sounds of saxophone and synths. The self-produced album shines as a Gesamtkunstwerk rather than highlighting individual songs.

    "Pompeii" is a melange of art pop and rock as well as Le Bon's familiar indie sound. Overall, the music is very elaborate and subdued, making you wish for more punch at times. All around, a solid album from the Welsh artist with that certain nostalgic touch.

    My favorites:
    "Moderation"
    "French Boys"
    "Dirt on the Bed"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 12, 2022    … Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2022
98
#98 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
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 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »