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Soberish Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length studio release for the indie singer-songwriter was produced by Brad Wood.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. 100
    These are all songs that, just like the rest of Phair’s finest moments, have a delicious knack for becoming lodged in your brain.
  2. Jun 4, 2021
    85
    The final product is catchy, absorbing, and entirely unashamed, bearing the sort of intimate honesty of a classic Liz Phair record, but finishing with a glaze of straightforward hindsight.
  3. Jun 4, 2021
    80
    ‘Soberish’ sounds more like her early work, with its lo-fi stylings and ramshackle guitars. Lyrically, this record teases her more sentimental side, but even then, she openly admits to not wanting to reveal her true self to the listener.
  4. Jun 3, 2021
    70
    The moments here that feel most genuinely lived-in are the ones where she opens up and demonstrates her unique genius at articulating the real life hope, fear, disappointment, and ambivalence of an inveterate romantic who wanders through life always on guard against getting burned by her own desires.
  5. 70
    A cohesive record, on Soberish Phair sounds polished, clean and equipped with a new arsenal of songs about breakups, addiction and small glimpses into her inner workings.
  6. Jun 3, 2021
    67
    Soberish starts off strong, opening with the infectious “Spanish Doors” and building to “Hey Lou,” whose chorus is the most invasive earworm on an album that has plenty of them. ... And while the orchestral elements add some much-needed texture, too many of the songs unfold at the same midtempo pace, an effect that makes the title track, for one, seem much longer than it actually is.
  7. 40
    Musically, this is unforgivably mediocre. A memorable chorus will occasionally appear from nowhere, as on Hey Lou (and Soul Sucker wins points for its unexpected nod to Blue Boy’s Remember Me), but for the most part the coffee-table pop on offer here is remarkable only for being so forgettable.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Sep 1, 2021
    10
    Exceptional album. Best thing she has done in 20 years. Brad Wood back on production. Real magic here. 10
  2. Jun 10, 2021
    10
    Raw, matured and worth a listen to this iconic storyteller who continues to her life journey and weaves it into a tapestry of songs with tightRaw, matured and worth a listen to this iconic storyteller who continues to her life journey and weaves it into a tapestry of songs with tight production on this album. Not to be missed. Expand
  3. Jun 4, 2021
    10
    Great, enjoyable album from Liz - a true icon and legend! Biting lyrics accompanied by shimmering pop-rock remains an infectious mix. ThereGreat, enjoyable album from Liz - a true icon and legend! Biting lyrics accompanied by shimmering pop-rock remains an infectious mix. There are some beautiful moments here, particularly the mesmerizing “In There.” The album is the right amount of experimental and out-of-the-box, with strong and memorable melodies that make it accessible to the casual listener. Expand
  4. Aug 5, 2022
    8
    This album is not bad at all. Dosage is her best song in my opinion. Also love Spanish Doors and Game.
  5. Jun 4, 2021
    7
    Good album that evokes her sound from the 90s. Speaking of which, Metacritic, this isn't her, uh, "first full-length studio album."
  6. Jul 4, 2021
    6
    although this album features some really good songs, the full work is not that satisfying. there is interesting songs among others veryalthough this album features some really good songs, the full work is not that satisfying. there is interesting songs among others very similar tracks, and fillers, what can bore you while listening. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews