Sleep of Reason
by Raffertie
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Clash Music
    Aug 1, 2013
    70
    Chugging and thunderous, Stefanski’s debut set as Raffertie is self-assured: an expertly stitched quilt of textures.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Jul 31, 2013
    80
    Filled with experimental electronic goodness but maintaining a graspable simplicity throughout, Sleep Of Reason is a gorgeous and rewarding listen.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Jul 31, 2013
    90
    Sleep Of Reason is darker, deeper and more daring than either Coexist or Overgrown and more emotional and soulful than The xx or James Blake. Ninja Tune won't release a better record this year.
  5. Exclaim
    Aug 7, 2013
    70
    Raffertie attempts something a bit bolder with "One Track Mind," but the building, repetitive, tinny synths fail to gain a foothold, in comparison to the rest of the album. That aside, Sleep of Reason is an eloquent release.
  6. Mixmag
    Jul 31, 2013
    80
    On the whole, Sleep Of Reason is a stirring and cerebral venture into avant-soul.
  7. Mojo
    Aug 13, 2013
    80
    The brittle world he creates is a seductive one. [Sep 2013, p.95]
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  8. musicOMH.com
    Aug 1, 2013
    80
    Raffertie’s talent as a producer has never been in question. Sleep Of Reason has been a long time coming, but these 13 pieces of fractured soul represent a supreme triumph.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 19, 2013
    60
    It’s just a shame he can’t bring them together as a coherent whole.
  10. Pitchfork
    Aug 1, 2013
    62
    It's an uneven but captivating album that sounds like an artist still looking for his stride and trying to balance between two extremes.
  11. Q Magazine
    Feb 4, 2014
    80
    The vocals are more textural than Blake's, and Stefanski's electronic textures are as distinctive as his instrumental releases, giving this a strong personality all of its own. [Oct 2013, p.110]
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  12. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 31, 2013
    70
    Sleep of Reason then is a ponderous rolling through complexly changing scenery, no one drive-through ever seeming the same, more than a roller-coaster ride that promises the same loops each time.
  13. Uncut
    Jul 31, 2013
    80
    Benjamin "Raffertie" Stefanski invents a kind of haute couture techno-soul on this classy debut. [Sep 2013, p.94]
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  14. XLR8r
    Aug 7, 2013
    75
    Raffertie by and large stays out of the way of his songwriting, and opts for subtlety over bombast--an asset that eludes many songwriters.

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