Recess
by Skrillex
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 75
  3. Negative: 23 out of 75
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  1. awhedge
    Apr 2, 2014
    2
    If you are looking for a solid debut album playing on Skrillex's previous strengths - run. Run far away from this album. If you are simply looking for something innovative and new, once again you will be disappointed. With a sound like an experiment gone wrong spiced with the flavor of late 90s Fatboy Slim and Moby hits, DJ Accucrack, Enigma and some rapper, Recess fails to make a cohesiveIf you are looking for a solid debut album playing on Skrillex's previous strengths - run. Run far away from this album. If you are simply looking for something innovative and new, once again you will be disappointed. With a sound like an experiment gone wrong spiced with the flavor of late 90s Fatboy Slim and Moby hits, DJ Accucrack, Enigma and some rapper, Recess fails to make a cohesive statement and fails to deliver something that sounds like it belongs in 2014. Horribly disappointing and only slightly entertaining, especially if you are a fan of Skrillex's previous work. If there is an audience for Recess, I do not know who it would be.… Expand
  2. DownByTheRiver
    Mar 28, 2014
    5
    I'm a pretty big fan of the edm and dubstep scene, and I do enjoy Skrillex. When I listened to the album though, it felt like a weird mesh of reggae and dubstep mixed together. Unfortunately it wasn't that good, There were a couple of songs on here that I liked, but the majority of the album didn't really work for me.
  3. Draculabus
    Jun 15, 2014
    5
    So bought the album as an impulse buy, but as a rather large Skrillex fan, i feel justified on the critique. First off, the good points. I feel that Skrillex really showcases how talented he is purely as a musician with how varied some of the tracks on the album are. We go from reggae, to dubstep, to deep house (some of the deep house tracks are the best tracks on the album). EverythingSo bought the album as an impulse buy, but as a rather large Skrillex fan, i feel justified on the critique. First off, the good points. I feel that Skrillex really showcases how talented he is purely as a musician with how varied some of the tracks on the album are. We go from reggae, to dubstep, to deep house (some of the deep house tracks are the best tracks on the album). Everything sounds crisp and mastered well. Things that didn't go so well: The singles just aren't that good or strong. There are some good dubstep tracks, but this is Skrillex we are talking about, and we are used to amazing ethereal songs from this guy. He set the bar incredibly high with his first albums and I just didn't latch on to anything on this album in a large way. Also, the bad songs on the album are really bad. Personally, i cannot wait for the death of an album as it is incredibly hard for a musician to pump out 10 radio worthy tracks, you usually get 2-3 singles that are great and the rest are filler, but some of these tracks I cannot listen to for more than a few seconds without wanting to punch a hole through my car stereo. In conclusion, this is a mediocre album but remember this is Sonny Moore we are talking about, and he is still capable of producing greatness.… Expand
  4. alecvl08
    Oct 10, 2014
    4
    This is more of a compilation than a real album. It's like a showcase of Skrillex's talents as a producer, which aren't that great, but at least he shows that he is not all wub wubs and bass drops on tracks such as Ease My Mind and Fire Away, which surprisingly became my favorite track. It's pretty tongue in cheek as far as guest vocals, and even the harder tracks don't impress as much asThis is more of a compilation than a real album. It's like a showcase of Skrillex's talents as a producer, which aren't that great, but at least he shows that he is not all wub wubs and bass drops on tracks such as Ease My Mind and Fire Away, which surprisingly became my favorite track. It's pretty tongue in cheek as far as guest vocals, and even the harder tracks don't impress as much as fans will expect. I'm Not very impressed, but it might be worth a listen if you're a fan.… Expand
  5. MooziikMaster
    Mar 21, 2014
    1
    I used to enjoy the creativity of Skrillex's sound. Unfortunately, last summer, I went to a music festival and was sorely disappointed with his performance. To go into further details, his bizarre requests for the audience to "sit on your ass!" on the muddy ground was too much. He then protested to stop playing more music if the crowd did not comply with his odd plead. Maybe he was tryingI used to enjoy the creativity of Skrillex's sound. Unfortunately, last summer, I went to a music festival and was sorely disappointed with his performance. To go into further details, his bizarre requests for the audience to "sit on your ass!" on the muddy ground was too much. He then protested to stop playing more music if the crowd did not comply with his odd plead. Maybe he was trying to create a cool gimmick that would make the experience more enjoyable, but when you treat your audience like crap and act like a dictator, you lose fans very quickly.

    Other than my newfound, passionate hate for Skrillex's personality, I gave his music a chance. Even if an artist is displeasing, their music may still be worthwhile. This possibility is not the case for the shaved-head rat of a man. With hollow beats and bass drops that sound all too familiar from previous releases, there is nothing left for Skrillex. His career should have ended after Bangarang.

    One of the first mistakes he made was introducing a plethora of guest stars onto several tracks. Not only does the use of faux-rappers dampen the mood, but it defeats the whole purpose of dubstep. There are no lyrics in a dubstep track. One of the pioneers of this sound went against his own rules and created a monster. With no tracks that grab your attention for more than a minute, Recess is a sorry excuse for a debut album.

    A shallow, self-centered personality emerges within the tasteless tracks, taking away 50 minutes of someone's life. Not only are the tracks repetitive and unoriginal, they pierce the ears with electronic screeches. That seems like the icing on the cake.

    Well, you know what they say: "The bigger they are, the harder they fall".    … Expand
  6. Iburnthings
    Mar 23, 2014
    7
    Mildly disappointing but still good overall. The defining sound that he had from Scary Monsters and More Monsters is almost completely gone now and he's pretty much turned into your basic dubstep artists with one key difference; He knows how to give electronic music life. "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" is a good opening track with strong vocal synthesis, an acceptable electronic riffMildly disappointing but still good overall. The defining sound that he had from Scary Monsters and More Monsters is almost completely gone now and he's pretty much turned into your basic dubstep artists with one key difference; He knows how to give electronic music life. "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" is a good opening track with strong vocal synthesis, an acceptable electronic riff and that **** of sound we all have come to expect from Skrillex. "Recess" is probably my favorite track and the prime example of how (as I mentioned earlier) he gives his music life via applause samples, happy and distorted computer like vocals and distant laser synths with amazing production value. "Stranger" is a lot different from anything we've heard from him before with a main synth that might drive some people mad. I enjoyed it, but nobody else in the house did. "Try it Out" is the song we've all heard before, but nonetheless it is enjoyable. I can't think of any individual strong points but as a whole it sounds great. And now here we get to (what I consider) the **** part of the album; "Coast is Clear" and "Dirty Vibe". Instrumentally both are fine, but each has godawful vocals. Dirty Vibe isn't really my thing but I actually enjoyed it before the **** rap element came in. The animosity I feel for this is the same I feel for Sirah. "Ragga Bomb" is a nice track with a good synth, nothing amazing but perfectly listenable and enjoyable. "Doompy Poomp" is very different and actually reminds me of Caravan Palace quite a bit, and seeing as Caravan Palace is one of my favorite bands I of course enjoyed it. **** That" as a whole is average at best, the drop being simplistic. "Ease My Mind" is probably the best song on the album with an amazing Middle Eastern themed drop and nice vocals (even though they're sampled but whatever). Fire Away is the most tame track on the album but it's nice anyway. A solid 7/10.… Expand
  7. DrewBrauer
    Mar 21, 2014
    8
    For a while now, we've gotten use to the usual sound from Skrillex, big beat drops, bass, noises, and anything to get the body shaking, although fun is starting to get repetitive as it crosses over to the Pop and Hip-Hop world, and thankfully Recess is a refreshing blast of new sound, with risky moves that are brilliantly pulled off here, making Skrillex's debut more memorable than mostFor a while now, we've gotten use to the usual sound from Skrillex, big beat drops, bass, noises, and anything to get the body shaking, although fun is starting to get repetitive as it crosses over to the Pop and Hip-Hop world, and thankfully Recess is a refreshing blast of new sound, with risky moves that are brilliantly pulled off here, making Skrillex's debut more memorable than most EDM debuts. Reviews for the album have been extremely harsh, mostly because fans of Skrillex are too used to the sound they want to expect from him, I appreciate the crossovers being employed here, with "Coast is Clear" being the standout for having a clever mix of smooth Jazz, R&B, and Electronica, though the only drawback is "Dirty Vibe" which features master producer Diplo, the first half drew me in but I was taken out due to the Nicki Minaj and Kendrick Lamar rip offs being used. Even though Skrillex experiments with some new sounds he still delivers the goods when it comes to what fans want, "All is Fair in Love and Brostep" and "Recess" are excellent dub step tracks and the hit single "Try it Out (Neon Mix)" remains the best track on here. At only Eleven songs, it still flows at a good pace of about around 40 to 50 minutes. Other problems here are the repetitive final few songs, where it seems to be trying to find a way to conclude this album, but it seems Skrillex is just throwing in material to keep us afloat with the album, which made for a slightly rocky final. Overall I very much enjoyed Recess by Skrillex, aside from a few drawbacks it ends up being a great debut release and makes me even more interested in EDM music changing for the future, but in the end, this will divide up listeners greatly, hopefully you know which side to join for this battle.… Expand
  8. ThisisART
    Dec 12, 2014
    10
    Sonny Moore's best work to date. Each song tastefully reinvents the way electronic music is handled, as we're finally hearing more progressive and elongated explorations blending multiple genres such as Jazz, R&B, World/Ethnic into Dum'n'Bass, Dancehall, and of course, Dubstep. To be completely honest, no other producer could viably release an album as introspective as this into theSonny Moore's best work to date. Each song tastefully reinvents the way electronic music is handled, as we're finally hearing more progressive and elongated explorations blending multiple genres such as Jazz, R&B, World/Ethnic into Dum'n'Bass, Dancehall, and of course, Dubstep. To be completely honest, no other producer could viably release an album as introspective as this into the mainstream, let alone drop it on the dance floor. Skrillex has proven himself an artist—easily 2014's answer to Pet Sounds or Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.… Expand
  9. jmartrican
    Mar 23, 2014
    8
    In this album Skrillex went with more of what I would call house music. I'm not a dj nor do I make music so I do not know how hard or skillful one must be to make the beats and sounds that Skrillex produced in this album. What I do know is that I am hooked on this album. I have listened to it many times already and it still gets regular rotation on my current playlists.

    It is less    In this album Skrillex went with more of what I would call house music. I'm not a dj nor do I make music so I do not know how hard or skillful one must be to make the beats and sounds that Skrillex produced in this album. What I do know is that I am hooked on this album. I have listened to it many times already and it still gets regular rotation on my current playlists.

    It is less traditional dubstep sounds that Skrillex is known for. It reminds me of the house music I used to listen to back in the 90's. Oh well I enjoy and appreciate it.    … Expand
  10. SimpleMethod
    Mar 21, 2014
    3
    I've never particularly bought into the hype of Skrillex. When he burst onto the scene a few years back, I tried a few of his songs out because it was the "cool" thing to do. Since then, I've began producing music myself and as a result I have a lot of fun looking around soundcloud for great, unique artists. There are hundreds, if not thousands of artists that are worlds better thanI've never particularly bought into the hype of Skrillex. When he burst onto the scene a few years back, I tried a few of his songs out because it was the "cool" thing to do. Since then, I've began producing music myself and as a result I have a lot of fun looking around soundcloud for great, unique artists. There are hundreds, if not thousands of artists that are worlds better than Skrillex and his most recent batch of crap, Recess. If you like dub, check out "Another One" by Louis the Child. Some of his smoother stuff? Try out some of the Chainsmokers tunes. This a boring, repetitive album that, coupled with his weird personality, really just contribute to the fact that his style of "music" is a dying breed. Look elsewhere.… Expand
  11. AlejoSierra
    Nov 25, 2014
    8
    This is a good Skrillex album, most of the songs are great, but some of them are just bad songs, i know than the Skrillex talent can get him to the top.
  12. SchroederRock
    Mar 21, 2014
    6
    Recess isn't the stereotypical Skrillex album we all probably expected. Instead, it drops in flavors of club hip-hop, reggae, dubstep, and drum & bass to create a much more eclectic offering. The result is mostly good, but where the Bangarang EP succeeded more was in the hooks that netted Skrillex serious radio play. "Stranger" is a tight hodge-podge of the aforementioned genres. KillRecess isn't the stereotypical Skrillex album we all probably expected. Instead, it drops in flavors of club hip-hop, reggae, dubstep, and drum & bass to create a much more eclectic offering. The result is mostly good, but where the Bangarang EP succeeded more was in the hooks that netted Skrillex serious radio play. "Stranger" is a tight hodge-podge of the aforementioned genres. Kill The Noise and Fatman Scoop make the title track perhaps the most Skrillex-like cut on the record and serves as one of the highlights. You'll also find the Alvin Risk collab "Try It Out", originally featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, remixed to mostly good results. The rest of the album does little to really stand out, but there may be a track or two that stand out to one person than the other. I think the only disappointment is that I expected a bit more from a full-length album. Still, I wouldn't consider myself disappointed but rather a bit underwhelmed with the finished product.… Expand
  13. Masonmcglynn
    Mar 22, 2014
    7
    This album has been getting heavily criticized for being average at best but I disagree his new album his a change for the artist known for having a retarted fan base of call of duty junkies and collage bros but his new studio album is nothing like his previous album bangarang that came out nearly three years ago. Most of the tracks here still keep the same energetic fast paced beats ofThis album has been getting heavily criticized for being average at best but I disagree his new album his a change for the artist known for having a retarted fan base of call of duty junkies and collage bros but his new studio album is nothing like his previous album bangarang that came out nearly three years ago. Most of the tracks here still keep the same energetic fast paced beats of his previous songs but with a new more mature approach of not just sticking to one genre and mixing it up a bit for a change and while not all of the songs work I do think most of them are catchy and enjoyable and its a fresh slate for skrillex to experiment.… Expand
  14. asjklasjklas
    Jun 2, 2014
    5
    For an anticipated album, Recess feels underwhelming. Terrible? It depends, if you weren't already converted into the dubstep (ahem, "brostep") craze when it first crossed into the mainstream music industry in the states back in 2011, you'll likely stay unimpressed. However, is it terrific? That also depends.

    But what's clear is Skrillex's experimentation with more "artsy" drops, in    For an anticipated album, Recess feels underwhelming. Terrible? It depends, if you weren't already converted into the dubstep (ahem, "brostep") craze when it first crossed into the mainstream music industry in the states back in 2011, you'll likely stay unimpressed. However, is it terrific? That also depends.

    But what's clear is Skrillex's experimentation with more "artsy" drops, in favor of some Prodigy-esque elements over the monster noises in his previous multi-Platinum EPs. Unfortunately, Recess fails at reviving the already tried-and-dried genre or even becoming a staple in that genre's discography. In fact, I hate to sound ignorant, but it seriously does all come together as noise. Even with the album's unconventional use of reggae fusion -- which is where dub actually came from, but it's never been this apparent -- and many, many more genres, everything's predictable. The buzzing beats often never go anywhere and even when they are worth a listen with your Beats once or twice, they're repetitively abused throughout the duration of the track.

    "Stranger" incorporates a chill Disclosure influenced atmosphere, crafted by an -- as aforementioned -- Prodigy-esque opening and Alvin Risk's soothing vocals. Unfortunately, once the mosquito farts start repeating themselves OVER and OVER and OVER again, you'll ask yourself: "Who the f*** recorded an insect being sexually abused and screaming and said, "This'll be perfect?!"?" Let's not even get to the overuse of vocal sampling overheard throughout the entire album. The guest appearance range from mixed-to-positive: Chance the Rapper channels his inner crossover between Robert Johnson and well, every rapper from the 21th century. That may or may not be a compliment. And the Ragga Twins certainly help deliver that more reggae style sound Skrillex is attempting to create.

    Overall, Recess sounds like an unfinished problem intended to sound more ambitious than it actually was to begin with. It's as scattered as Kanye West's 2013 Yeezus, without the Yeezus (his collaboration with Diplo on "Dirty Vibe" is basically Ye's "I'm In It", from the vocal manipulation down to its dirty subject matter). When a song's just getting good, your ears are instead molested by buggy bleeps, bloops, blurps, and whatever term sounds the most unpleasant in your own head. If you're seeking something that'll tear up your surround sound speakers (and your own eardrums, to be honest), Recess might be for you. For the rest of us, we'll continue revisiting Bangarang or the much, much better representations of this genre by other underlooked artists.    … Expand
  15. Manolisspaik
    May 11, 2014
    10
    Skrillex does it again. He offers us a dose of heavy brostep with all is fair in love and brostep and try it out, unique drops at ease my mind, ragga bomb, **** that, and recess and some more relaxing songs like fire away and stranger. A very good album. My favourite is all is fair in love and brostep.
  16. meshiks
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    tem diversos generos da musica eletronica com trap,moombahton, e um pouco de pop
  17. Bruterake
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Mas esse é um álbum que combina perfeitamente com a época que foi lançado música eletrônica de qualidade monstra.
  18. andrescuevas262
    Feb 19, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I think that the album has a lot experimental sound and complement it with good collaborations… Expand
  19. Saadfather20
    Feb 22, 2023
    10
    Highly underrated in my opinion. Begins Skrillex's shift away from the brostep scene and is his development as an EDM artist. Cannot find a single bad song. All great songs in their own right.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    Apr 4, 2014
    50
    While the album will most likely not be considered a classic, it will undoubtedly satiate the Skrillex diehards.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 27, 2014
    83
    It's spectacular, almost exhaustingly so. [28 Mar 2014, p.63]
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Mar 25, 2014
    63
    Skrillex is good enough to kill the Brostep monster he created. He just didn't quite finish the job here.
    Read full review
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