The Deserters
by Rachel Zeffira
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Pitchfork
    Mar 13, 2013
    63
    A little more stylistic and structural variety could lead to something special.
  2. PopMatters
    Jul 29, 2013
    50
    Unfortunately, the “To Here Knows When” cover is one of only three peaks in an otherwise unremarkable selection of songs.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 6, 2013
    50
    Guests Toy do their best to push things forward, but their propulsive ways merely emphasise Zeffira's absent voice. [Jan 2013, p.83]
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  5. Mojo
    Mar 6, 2013
    80
    The odd over ethereal moment notwithstanding, the remainder of the album proves equally alluring. [Jan 2013, p.90]
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  6. Q Magazine
    Mar 6, 2013
    60
    The Deserters produces a gently psychedelic kind of romantic chamber-pop. [Jan 2013, p.113]
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  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 6, 2013
    70
    Much of the charm of The Deserters lies in the winter-blasted chime of Zeffira’s voice, and those frozen-hinterland soundscapes.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Mar 6, 2013
    80
    Eerie, melancholy and yet strangely soothing, The Deserters is an album to treasure, whatever the season.
  9. Under The Radar
    Mar 22, 2013
    70
    The Deserters finds Zeffira continuing to pursue this harmonic aura, crating a record that's frequently soothing and every so often surprising. [Mar-Apr 2013, p.97]
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  10. The Guardian
    Mar 6, 2013
    60
    Now and then she mistakes bland tastefulness for classy restraint; otherwise, subtlety is The Deserters' chief charm.
  11. Exclaim
    Mar 8, 2013
    80
    It's apparent that Zeffira possesses a terrific balance of style and substance on The Deserters.
  12. Exclaim
    Mar 8, 2013
    80
    No matter how enchanting the music gets, nothing quite eclipses her exquisite voice, which elevates the songs on The Deserters to a blissful level that no one can touch.
  13. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 6, 2013
    70
    This an attention-grabbing debut album from a unique and fascinating talent, who has more than demonstrated her validity and potential as a solo artist.
  14. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 6, 2013
    75
    It doesn’t quite all come together here as a whole album, veering between low-key dreamy ambience and more up-tempo indie pop.
  15. NOW Magazine
    Mar 14, 2013
    60
    The album is laden with a nostalgic longing that’s never as compelling as the cinematic leanings.
  16. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 6, 2013
    80
    Here On In, which with its motorik rhythm sounds most like the Horrors, is the only weak link on a gorgeously immersive album.
  17. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 6, 2013
    60
    It's all warmly wrought and pretty, if a trifle insubstantial at times.
  18. BBC Music
    Mar 6, 2013
    90
    The Deserters, given a chance, will completely negate any such journalistic silliness with just one listen, because it is a jolt of psychedelic, oozing instrumental wonder and songwriting magnificence.
  19. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Mar 6, 2013
    60
    It is a lush thing that, were we writing for a certain type of women’s mag, might have us reaching for words such as "candles" and "bubble bath."
  20. The Fly (UK)
    Mar 6, 2013
    80
    Her classically trained sensibilities shine through on her first solo effort, which sparkles with understated beauty.

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