Reachy Prints
by Plaid
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 20, 2014
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. The Wire
    Jul 17, 2014
    80
    The pleasures of Reachy Prints are deceptively complicated, and it's another masterclass in how lightness needn't be thin or naive. [May 2014, p.72]
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  2. The Guardian
    Jun 5, 2014
    80
    Tracks such as Hawkmoth and OH pull the listener in with their dreamy harmonies, typifying a style that has infused contemporary pop and R&B, and influenced producers including Hit-Boy and Clams Casino.
  3. PopMatters
    May 22, 2014
    80
    Reachy Prints is quite something, and it makes you glad to be alive and kicking so you can enjoy the paintings in sound that this duo so deftly accomplishes.
  5. musicOMH.com
    May 19, 2014
    80
    There are new tricks in these old dogs yet.
  6. AllMusic
    May 19, 2014
    80
    It's to their credit that Plaid aren't preoccupied with being cutting-edge on Reachy Prints. Instead, they bring the playful, brainy spirit of their best work over the years into the 21st century with lively results.
  7. Clash Music
    May 19, 2014
    80
    Reachy Prints is yet another artful and aerial treasure.
  8. Uncut
    Jun 6, 2014
    70
    The technology has evolved, but the Plaid Aesthetic remains constant. [Jul 2014, p.78]
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  9. Sputnikmusic
    May 29, 2014
    64
    Reachy Prints is yet another tedious exercise in modern IDM attempting to stay relevant, and failing to do a very good job of convincing us listeners that it is.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Kansler
    May 29, 2014
    7
    After Scintilli - a difficult and unwelcoming masterpiece of an album, full of depth and expressive anarchy - Reachy Prints sounds positivelyAfter Scintilli - a difficult and unwelcoming masterpiece of an album, full of depth and expressive anarchy - Reachy Prints sounds positively simple: it is full of pleasant and uncluttered song structures, lush synths, typically Plaid-ish chiming melodies. The subtle and dark undercurrent that has always lurked beneath the surface layer of beautiful counterpoint and the wistful playfulness, is still there, to be sure, but the emphasis this time is on minimalism and impressionism, rather than maximalism and expressionism (which arguably reached its apex in the previous album). The album sounds more Monet than Picasso, if you catch my drift - although it ultimately sounds unmistakably IDM. At its best, it sounds like a return to the lush sounds of Double Figure and the playful simplicity of the very first Plaid albums, mixed with a bit of Boards of Canada (such as "Hawkmouth" and "Wallet"). There are even a few less pop-friendly tracks, like the wonderful and weird "Ropen". Spicing up the mix are a couple of cool beat-heavy tracks, like the pseudo-afrobeat banger "Slam" and the robot-disco "Matin Lunaire."

    This is by no means a bad album, just a bit disappointing after the extremely inventive and futuristic Scintilli, which pushed the boundaries of electronic music. But maybe they just needed a break from complexity? An average Plaid album is still a pretty good electronic music album by any other standard.    … Full Review »
  2. NotForThrees
    Dec 14, 2015
    9
    While it certainly does not have tracks as remarkable as they used to produce back in the old days (Not for Threes ;), Rest Proof Clockwork),While it certainly does not have tracks as remarkable as they used to produce back in the old days (Not for Threes ;), Rest Proof Clockwork), it is a pretty solid album from start to finish. As Allmusic's review of Rest Proof Clockwork says: "The element that puts them far, far ahead of every other beatminer out there is a growing sense of spirit that lets the machines do the singing.", 15 years later they have not lost this quality.… Full Review »
  3. DoubleDoge
    May 28, 2014
    10
    This time round an effing delight. Yes perhaps not the boundary breaker that they've had with some more recent releases, but for me, it'sThis time round an effing delight. Yes perhaps not the boundary breaker that they've had with some more recent releases, but for me, it's right on song. Cheers Gents, I've waited but it's been worth it, thank you.… Full Review »
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