The Ghosts of Then & Now
by Illum Sphere
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Clash Music
    Feb 18, 2014
    80
    By befriending you and almost playing good cop bad cop, the vibrant grace of ‘Ra_Light’ and the global peak of ‘Near The End’ open an organic sense of nostalgia with an alert funkiness.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 10, 2014
    70
    Ghosts of Then and Now floats just out of time and is as versatile a record as they come--your interpretation will change with each setting and mood.
  3. Exclaim
    Feb 10, 2014
    70
    With Ghosts of Then and Now, Illum Sphere strives to balance the ethereal with the earworm and, for the most part, succeeds.
  5. Mojo
    Feb 11, 2014
    80
    Evoking cinematic cliches is almost unavoidable on a mutant, spirited debut whose diversity is its greatest asset. [Mar 2014, p.95]
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  6. musicOMH.com
    Feb 18, 2014
    80
    It’s a supremely impressive and affecting album that is certain to propel him to an even greater echelon.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 10, 2014
    70
    It’s at its best when it mixes Badu-style soul vocals and booming apocalypse bass ('The Road', 'At Night'), but there’s evidence of a lighter side in the sort of jazzy tribal stompers that Gilles Peterson would approve of (‘Ra_Light’, ‘Near The End’).
  8. Pitchfork
    Feb 19, 2014
    73
    Hunn is an adept mixer, and he plays the long game in a way that rewards close listening.
  9. PopMatters
    Mar 10, 2014
    70
    It’s great to see one of my favorite labels furnishing a durable platform for today’s electronic music pioneers, and Illum Sphere is clearly one of them.
  10. Q Magazine
    Feb 14, 2014
    80
    A lush, soulful and joyous debut that should haunt us for years to come. [Mar 2014, p.114]
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  11. The 405
    Feb 27, 2014
    80
    Ghosts Of Then And Now is a rich and dynamic listen, threaded with a strong sense of purpose that's wonderfully engaging.
  12. The Wire
    Mar 28, 2014
    80
    Hunn achieves an impressive balance between stylistic coherency and jazzy beat maximalism--it's never really as light or as heavy as it first seems--that other producers of his ilk struggle to pull off. [Mar 2014, p.65]
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  13. Uncut
    Feb 10, 2014
    70
    Illum Sphere has been well-placed to see how dubstep fragmented into house, garage, minimalism and avant-garde gestures, and he reflects all of these in his debut LP. [Mar 2014, p.78]
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  14. XLR8r
    Feb 10, 2014
    70
    Illum Sphere's debut LP may be an elegantly produced collection of noir beat vignettes, but his next one could be a whole lot more.

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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. DrDustinDeVore
    Feb 17, 2014
    9
    Headphones required. Weed might help too, but this is an amazing album. The songs flow nicely and there is an insanely well balanced mixed ofHeadphones required. Weed might help too, but this is an amazing album. The songs flow nicely and there is an insanely well balanced mixed of ethereal and harmonic sounds.… Full Review »
  2. CiphirSol
    Nov 16, 2014
    9
    This is a little bit of an underrated gem that carries a bit of spirit that reminds me of Flying Lotus. Expect a chill, electronic vibe. GoodThis is a little bit of an underrated gem that carries a bit of spirit that reminds me of Flying Lotus. Expect a chill, electronic vibe. Good for late night drives when the rest of the world is asleep.… Full Review »
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