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Saves the World
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Saves the World Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Los Angeles-based indie pop trio was co-produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 6, 2019
    100
    If there’s any justice, its follow-up, Saves the World, should see MUNA joining the ranks of those who have brazenly borrowed their sound.
  2. Clash Music
    Sep 6, 2019
    90
    Ultimately 'Saves The World' is a bold, colourful, lyric return, one that is asserting while remaining utterly honest, completely true to themselves.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Sep 6, 2019
    80
    Saves The World carries the same weight as its predecessor, but breaks the dark-pop boundaries the band themselves created with their debut. It’s an exhilarating ode to self-preservation and to being your own number one fan.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Sep 6, 2019
    80
    Saves the World isn’t self-aware so much as frighteningly emotionally intelligent. The sensitive feelers that populate the group’s sadsack pop tales are sharp analyzers of the behavior around them, as quick to deftly psychoanalyze (see the devastating second verse of “Taken”) as they are to simply point the finger at themselves.
  5. Q Magazine
    Sep 6, 2019
    80
    The thumping drums and syncopated string throughout still channel the 1980s, while Good News (Ya-Ya Song) harks back to the summer of 1999, all clipped guitar and MTV beats. [Oct 2019, p.114]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Pitchfork
    Sep 9, 2019
    77
    Saves the World approaches adulthood with unabashed honesty, so you’ll be ready to smash the system a little more gently. And while MUNA’s pop is preoccupied with that greater sense of purpose, it carries its heavy heart to the dancefloor.
  7. AllMusic
    Sep 6, 2019
    60
    While lyrics stick better than hooks here, the album is not without a handful of low-key anthems (including the latter track's high-flying, Auto-Tuned "it's gonna be okay"), and the atmosphere manages to be consistently warm and inviting despite its mechanical veneer.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. dollmouth
    Sep 7, 2019
    10
    Shockingly good!!! Went into this only having heard Number One Fan and came out extremely satisfied. Top 3 albums this year for sure.
  2. numberonefan
    Sep 6, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. MUNA really saved the world with this album. It’s filled with sad bops, they really snapped with this one!… Expand
  4. x_jxxnnx_x
    Dec 2, 2019
    10
    i just discovered this and i'm really glad of that... they're amazing, i love this album!
  5. Mewtate
    Sep 8, 2019
    10
    One of the most solid pop albums to come out this year. They’re definitely the gay Dixie chicks. Queens snappedt
  6. Maxest
    Sep 19, 2019
    10
    This is a album full of feelings and the art of the lyrics are sublime, mixed with te name/purpose of the work. Art.
  7. SirFaulty
    Oct 10, 2019
    10
    MUNA have outdone themselves here. About U was a serious contender for "Record of the Year" in 2017 but nobody was covering them so theyMUNA have outdone themselves here. About U was a serious contender for "Record of the Year" in 2017 but nobody was covering them so they largely went unnoticed which was a crying shame. Thankfully iTunes algorithm recommended them to me, and for that I am ever thankful.

    "Saves the World" should hopefully rectify the little coverage they got the first time around. What a fantastic sophomore banger of a record it is, even better than About U in some regards. Seems there is no curse of the sophomore here that so many new artists suffer when releasing their second album.

    MUNA certainly knows how to churn out "dark-pop" that is hook-filled and lyrically astute. Katie Gavin and her companions, Josette Maskin and Naomi McPherson, can certainly give today's pop starlets a run for their money.

    Definitely a contender for "Record of the Year" and had Angel Olsen not released "All Mirrors" this year, "Saves the World" would have been hands down my favorite. In any event it's my favorite pop album of the year.

    Favorite tracks: Stayaway, Number One Fan, Who, Pink Light and It's Gonna Be Okay, Baby    … Expand
  8. sammyanthony
    Sep 7, 2019
    8
    A defined indie pop album. With Saves The World, made MUNA, even though pretty much like any other great indie pop acts, really delineateA defined indie pop album. With Saves The World, made MUNA, even though pretty much like any other great indie pop acts, really delineate themselves to the point where they're recognizable.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Album of 2019

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