Songs of Experience
by U2
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Nov 29, 2017
    33
    Songs Of Experience, U2’s 14th studio album, revs up the ambition, to embarrassing results. It finds the group desperately searching for a radio hit while pontificating on American exceptionalism, shoehorning the Syrian refugee crisis into not one but two love songs--and on consecutive tracks, no less.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2017
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 191 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 135 out of 191
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 191
  3. Negative: 40 out of 191
  1. revanb
    Dec 1, 2017
    10
    U2 evolves from album to album, never settling to do quite the same thing twice.

    Songs of Experience is a slightly dark, but joyous and    U2 evolves from album to album, never settling to do quite the same thing twice.

    Songs of Experience is a slightly dark, but joyous and thrilling experience. Qualities that endeared the masterpiece which is Achtung Baby to me. Songs of Experience has the same effect, achieved it in a new way.

    Another masterpiece!    … Full Review »
  2. leftygroove
    Dec 1, 2017
    1
    What happened U2? This album sounds like something Maroon 5 would be ashamed of. They've been progressively getting worse with every albumWhat happened U2? This album sounds like something Maroon 5 would be ashamed of. They've been progressively getting worse with every album after Pop. Still love 'em live.… Full Review »
  3. VDS
    Dec 1, 2017
    2
    I don’t know this band anymore. To say they’re not what they were is a gross understatement. The well ran dry a long time ago, and theyI don’t know this band anymore. To say they’re not what they were is a gross understatement. The well ran dry a long time ago, and they stopped trying after Pop failed. From there on it’s been a downward spiral, each new album marking the next embarrassing step on the path of talentless money.

    Dodgy lyrics have always plagued them, but here, blimey it’s all cringeworthy. The bass might be turned right up on most tracks, but it can’t hide the terror of Red Flag Day, Get Out Of Your Own Way, You’re The Best Thing…where’s the energy, the urgency and the balls to try something new? Their collective accountants and bank managers will quite like this record, first off because it’s bland bank manager music, and secondly because it’ll probably sell to completist fans and Cold Play devotees.

    Back in the day, I feel they would have laughed at songs like The Showman. Poor old MacPhisto must be turning in his grave if he’s unlucky enough to hear The Little Things That Give You Away. The whole album’s like a collection of very dodgy B-sides.

    It’s a shame to see how the once mighty have fallen. Stadiums everywhere prepare to be battered by this rubbish, and the usual back catalogue of hits that will mark another globe trotting money grab.

    Songs Of Experience, and the experience is bad.    … Full Review »
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