User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Space Is Only Noise
by
Space Is Only Noise Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 58 Ratings

  • Summary: The electronic producer who attends Brown University releases the first full-length album of his brand of sub-100-bpm house music.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Colomb
In French : "Espérez! Plus d'espérance! Trois jours, leur dit Colomb, En montrant le ciel immense, Le fond de l'horizon. Trois jours et je vous... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 4, 2011
    90
    Jaar's emotional honesty is not without lenses though, and, just when you think he's going to address the listener directly, he draws on electronic music's endless sound possibilities to clutter and even drown voice, rhythm and melody with spontaneity and a young dreamer's aimless drift.
  2. XLR8r
    Feb 28, 2011
    90
    Space Is Only Noise might be one of the most ear-opening techno records in recent memory.
  3. Urb
    Feb 28, 2011
    90
    Space Is Only Noise is not a perfect album, he could have done without the fillers, but it's a perfect listening experience.
  4. Mojo
    Apr 6, 2011
    80
    Only on the title track's cavernous '80s-era bass synths does Jaar come close to being conventional. [Apr 2011, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Uncut
    May 13, 2011
    80
    Jaar, the son of conceptual artist Alfredo Jaar, can weave a heady spell, presenting himself somewhere between David Byrne and Ricardo Villalobos. [Jun 2011, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Q Magazine
    Apr 6, 2011
    80
    Jaar has struck gold here. [Apr 2011, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 28, 2011
    70
    Such is the exquisite control he holds over his music, his vision evident even in the weakest moments of Space Is Only Noise.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Boosemo12
    Sep 1, 2012
    9
    This album is less a collection of songs and more an experience, and a truly magnificent experience at that. It is like nothing you've everThis album is less a collection of songs and more an experience, and a truly magnificent experience at that. It is like nothing you've ever heard and a must listen for everyone.… Collapse
  2. indiegalaxy10
    Oct 4, 2013
    9
    The concept is great, this artistic minimalist album is one of the best of 2011, (a great year for music), Nico give us unique sounds thatThe concept is great, this artistic minimalist album is one of the best of 2011, (a great year for music), Nico give us unique sounds that can´t be even compared with others, is dense, weird but in a excellent way, He is a unique visionary, this album is the prove.… Expand
  4. danav88
    Apr 19, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A beautifully textured, airy, and oddly amusing sonic adventure, that keeps a nice mellow intensity and yet explores new territory on every track. It's a grower, unless you can distinguish just how wonderful some of the field recordings, vocal manipulations, and the subtle instrumentation are. At 21 years old, Jaar cements himself a truly fantastic debut.… Expand
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Jul 25, 2022
    8
    8.7/10
    Cold and spacious this record is an engulfing experience through a grey austere universe empty of warmth. Everything feels alien    8.7/10
    Cold and spacious this record is an engulfing experience through a grey austere universe empty of warmth. Everything feels alien here,not even the voices sound human. In the title track what sounds like an automated robot repeats "space is only noise if can see it." So much effort must have been placed onto each song as this complex sonic voyage is a seamless journey that feeps like one long song (in the best of ways)    … Expand
  6. MorriBey
    Mar 14, 2011
    8
    When you hear the track 'Keep Me There' for the first time you will want to know more about this artist. When you listen it to a second timeWhen you hear the track 'Keep Me There' for the first time you will want to know more about this artist. When you listen it to a second time it will become your favourite track until the next artist comes along. Its no wonder that he is compared to James Blake.

    Take a listen. Its worth it.    … Expand

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2011, Music

    The Best Albums of 2011

    The Best Albums of 2011 Image
    Published: December 30, 2011
    We reveal our official list of the best-reviewed albums of 2011. Plus, get links to stream virtually all of our top albums, find out which LPs our users preferred, and see which 2011 releases scored the lowest with critics.
    More »
  2. Best of 2011, Music

    The Freshman 15: 2011's Best Debut Albums

    The Freshman 15: 2011's Best Debut Albums Image
    Published: December 6, 2011
    Which new artists impressed critics the most in 2011? Find out inside, where we rank the 15 best-reviewed debut albums of the year.
    More »
  3. Best of 2011, Music

    Midyear Report: The Best Music of 2011 So Far

    Midyear Report: The Best Music of 2011 So Far Image
    Published: July 6, 2011
    With half of 2011 in the books, it's time to check on the year's best music so far. And which album tops our chart so far? It won't cost you anything to find out.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best Album of 2011
98
#98 Most Shared Album of 2011

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
93 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
89 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »