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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. meshiks
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    tem diversos generos da musica eletronica com trap,moombahton, e um pouco de pop
  9. Bruterake
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Mas esse é um álbum que combina perfeitamente com a época que foi lançado música eletrônica de qualidade monstra.
  10. 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
  11. 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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