Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Jul 6, 2011
    90
    Representing UK production at its best, SBTRKT's self-titled album is playful yet gritty.
  2. Jul 7, 2011
    81
    The record pits some emotive and occasionally downcast singing against arrangements that throb nicely, and there's a good sense of balance and variety throughout.
  3. Dec 7, 2011
    80
    SBTRKT's downtempo, mellow nature means it's a dance album that's unlikely to ever be played in a club, but showing James Blake that sparse, minimal dubstep and well-crafted pop melodies aren't mutually exclusive, it's a daring debut which lives up to the masked man's "next big thing" label.
  4. Q Magazine
    Aug 8, 2011
    80
    Inventive Londoner plunders all corners of the dancefloor. [Aug. 2011, p. 123]
  5. Jul 29, 2011
    80
    And while logically such vast variation should produce a choppy outcome, the album proves to be quite fluid on the whole.
  6. Uncut
    Jul 28, 2011
    80
    This album essentially serves as a showcase for rising Brit soul singers Sampha and Jessie Ware, who add just the right quantities of sugar and grit. [Aug 2011, p.98]
  7. Jul 14, 2011
    80
    SBTRKT's debut is an impeccably produced record that exemplifies an engaging mixture of soulful vocals and intricately layered electronics.
  8. Jul 7, 2011
    80
    To call this a promising debut would be an understatement.
  9. Jun 29, 2011
    80
    That he has bared his soul without revealing his identity is perhaps the hallmark of the modern singer-songwriter, but don't expect him to remain hidden for too long. With emotions this strong, the mask is bound to slip some time.
  10. Jun 29, 2011
    80
    This album is paced like a perfect DJ set--it reads the listener with incredible insight, combining the immediate and familiar with intense passages of warm-up, breaking to allow for moments of blank space and reflection.
  11. Jul 6, 2011
    75
    Sure, he can hide his identity, but there's no denying his sudden emergence as one of dance music's notable producers, very well steeped in his own layered aesthetic, yet open enough to welcome other musical influences into the fold.
  12. Jun 30, 2011
    75
    There might not be anything on SBTRKT to bowl people over like Woon or Blake, but there's plenty to stick with after the next big thing comes along.
  13. Aug 1, 2011
    70
    SBTRKT isn't going to break down any barriers in the obsessively experimental world that it was birthed, but it's a thoroughly solid listen all the way through. Which is a lot more than his supposed peers could say about their debut albums.
  14. Jul 11, 2011
    70
    Although there's nothing spectacular or innovative here, it has to be difficult to simultaneously have a foot in a variety of styles while constructing something that's this easy to listen to.
  15. Jul 5, 2011
    70
    This is an album that's clearly designed with immediacy in mind, from the ever-grinding bass to the generous supply of playful pop flourishes, and its best songs will get bodies moving by night even if they don't quite stick in the head the next morning.
  16. Jun 29, 2011
    70
    SBTRKT (real name unknown) tries a lot of things on his debut-and succeeds at most.
  17. Jun 29, 2011
    70
    If you don't like vocal dance music, if you're going off funky or you don't like a bloke playing live behind a faux-Polynesian tribal mask then avoid. Otherwise SBTRKT will delight the droves of bass fanatics that want something a little more sophisticated.
  18. Jul 7, 2011
    60
    On the whole, a lot of the material here, whilst well produced and well written, is sadly not outstanding enough to challenge the firmly seated royalty of UK dance music just yet.
  19. Jun 29, 2011
    60
    It's just a bit too nice.
  20. 60
    What these tracks are, though, are lovingly programmed, laser-dappled, preening--thanks to Sampha's buttery soul voice--and glossy reduxes of late-'90s two-step and twitchy post-house that should be filed next to James Blake and Jamie Woon.
  21. Jun 29, 2011
    60
    His debut LP marks his most coherent effort yet, moving from glitchy opener Heatwave into downbeat garage on Hold On and choppy synths on the euphoric Sanctuary.
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Oct 31, 2011
    6
    SBTRKTâ
  2. Jun 14, 2013
    7
    Could have been a bit more consistent for my taste but man does it feel good to here creative, catchy, and unique electronic music like this.Could have been a bit more consistent for my taste but man does it feel good to here creative, catchy, and unique electronic music like this. I'm anticipating a lot more great music to come from SBTRKT Full Review »
  3. Jul 13, 2011
    8
    First time I heard this album the tracks sounded wierd, but everytime I listen to the album, it gets more and more addicting. Its nothing likeFirst time I heard this album the tracks sounded wierd, but everytime I listen to the album, it gets more and more addicting. Its nothing like I've ever heard before. Lyrics are simple but the beats are different but awesome. Starts of slow but the tracks starting in the middle onwards is where its at. Full Review »