This all-over-the-map approach makes Relaxer a bit dizzying and tough to digest at first, and yet you'll be immediately captivated and intrigued by its distinctive mix. And once you give it a few more listens, many of its varied songs will worm their way into your ears as some of this summer's best indie rock offerings.
Relaxer is effectively Alt-J’s folk album: still studious and tending towards complexity, but here tempered by a rootedness that snags emotions more directly.
Fans may balk at the curveballs--Hit Me Like That Snare is a louche garage-rock foray--but they telegraph the self-assurance that doesn’t rely on overcomplication.
In Cold Blood follows and is excellent, with code-like vocals and a brass-funk cascade drenching a menacing chorus. Hit Me Like That Snare is alt-J flexing their nerdiness, and Deadcrush is great. The final three tracks of the record are painfully boring and terminally so.
What a fantastic album, definitely one of the best albums I have listened to this year. I was blown away, it is positive, upbeat andWhat a fantastic album, definitely one of the best albums I have listened to this year. I was blown away, it is positive, upbeat and definitely a strong recommendation for the masses. I absolutely loved everything about it. Started off strong & maintained throughout. I can't wait to listen to it again, and again.…Expand
Una mezcla de moods/tracks que son un mundo con propia vida cada uno y muy distintos entre sí, sin embargo tan buenos que dan la impresión deUna mezcla de moods/tracks que son un mundo con propia vida cada uno y muy distintos entre sí, sin embargo tan buenos que dan la impresión de suceder con mucha velocidad, creando la sensación de una entrega sólida.…Expand
This album is one of alt-J's more consistent albums. It's short, and sweet. The lyrics are great, and the music is more upbeat than theirThis album is one of alt-J's more consistent albums. It's short, and sweet. The lyrics are great, and the music is more upbeat than their previous material. Were I to say a problem with this record it would be their version of House of the Rising Sun; it's a little boring.…Expand
I came into this album expecting a lot, since I really liked their first 2 LPs, and coming out of it I wasn't all that impressed. DeadcrushI came into this album expecting a lot, since I really liked their first 2 LPs, and coming out of it I wasn't all that impressed. Deadcrush and In Cold Blood stand out, Pleader's choirs are lovely and I personally love Hit Me Like That Snare, it's a really fun song right from the title, though I see why others wouldn't like it as much. But the other half of the album feels padded in length to compensate for it only having 8 songs. House of the Rising Sun is dull and disappointingly so, and Last Year has nice lyrics but it's kind of a pain to listen to, specially the first half.
Overall, not a bad album but definitely a huge step down from their previous work.…Expand
definitely a unique album BUT what I find most fascinating is the musical style in relation to the album artwork. The artwork is rippeddefinitely a unique album BUT what I find most fascinating is the musical style in relation to the album artwork. The artwork is ripped straight from an obscure Playstation video game called LSD and if you are familiar with the game, the music in this album COULD be put into the game without anyone noticing. If anyone wants a seriously trippy, unique, and seriously strange experience go watch some videos of that game and maybe put some ALT-J in the background.. truly freaky stuff!…Expand
Personally I thought their last record was pretty long and boring... lots of instrumental tracks that didn't really serve any purposes.Personally I thought their last record was pretty long and boring... lots of instrumental tracks that didn't really serve any purposes.
When I saw the short track list on this record, I was hoping to not get bored again so quickly.
The album starts off very good, but the last 2 tracks are the weakest in my opinion. I was expecting more quality coming from an 8 track record. Don't get me wrong, the other tracks are amazing and I think is some of their best work yet.…Expand
I was so excited to see them release a new album, but on my first listen, I was a little disappointed. The album is going for a slower pace,I was so excited to see them release a new album, but on my first listen, I was a little disappointed. The album is going for a slower pace, more calming relaxing sound overall, which I didn't really enjoy from them. All songs are alright, but only In Cold Blood is really good, and feels like a true Alt-J song. 3WW and Deadcrush also stand out, but the other songs just don't really differentiate themselves and make the album tedious for me to listen from start to finish.
This is definitely their worst album. As an overall album, its ok, and I wouldn't mind owning it, or having it play in a restaurant or coffee shop while I'm there, but as an Alt-J album, it was disappointing.…Expand