Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Sep 1, 2011
    100
    The Golden Age of Apocalypse has an extremely rich and cosmic-like atmosphere, making you instantly reach for the repeat button. Stephen Brunner is no more a sideman; he's a solid jazz cat that doesn't need to jerk off with his bass wizardry.
  2. Aug 30, 2011
    100
    Almost dreamlike in his flow, Thundercat totes us along by way of his agile bass-neck work, sly Rhodes riffs, and vocals that sound filtered through daisies and sunshine.
  3. Sep 26, 2011
    90
    What Thundercat has created with The Golden Age of Apocalypse is the sonic equivalent to a power-packed issue of Wax Poetics, bringing together several disparate elements of one nation under a groove to build a challenging and soulful playground for his indelible skills on the bass.
  4. Aug 29, 2011
    90
    Equal parts futuristic space jazz fusion and hip-hop that does well to bridge the seemingly disparate corners of Thundercat's sprawling resume, Apocalypse is one of those rare modern jazz records that's remarkably unpretentious without having to cheapen the daunting complexity jazz is noted for.
  5. Aug 26, 2011
    90
    It's that mix of astral expensiveness and strict artistry that makes Thundercat's debut LP The Golden Age Of Apocalypse as grand and visionary as its title.
  6. Aug 26, 2011
    83
    Though it may not be the knock out aural masterpiece one would expect from the likes of a Flying Lotus production, The Golden Age of Apocalypse excels by harnessing the spirits of Pastorious, Sun-Ra, and other left-of-center demigods, dazzling us with FlyLo and Bruner's unique brand of collaborative eccentric genius.
  7. Sep 2, 2011
    81
    Like his fusion heroes, Bruner wants it all: the future shock of electronics, the tightly edited pleasures of pop, the love-sick opulence of quiet-storm soul, and the show-stopper instrumental breaks of jazz. The fact that he's mostly pulled it off, with a record that's serious in intent while playful in execution, is pretty astounding.
  8. Dec 6, 2011
    80
    Several cuts are instrumental workouts, unpredictable and flagrantly noodle-y. Others venture into tranquil folk-soul and soft jazz-pop; for all the animated instrumental flexing on display, it's those atmospheric and simpler songs that move the most.
  9. Sep 8, 2011
    80
    The Golden Age Of Apocalypse is all warm vibes and morning sex instead of Cosmogramma's seriously zonked and far-out space grooves-light and airy melodies carried out on bass with the tinkle of synth and keyboard, clear uptempo drumlines and a high soul-influenced singing voice doused in reverb.
  10. Aug 26, 2011
    80
    The Golden Age of Apocalypse seems specially made for a long, hot, daydream-filled summer. Here's hoping.
  11. Aug 26, 2011
    80
    If this is the sound of the Apocalypse, it's the sound of a fiendishly inventive musician and his talented producer trying to squeeze in all the great ideas before armageddon hits.
  12. Aug 25, 2011
    80
    It's been a pretty solid year for electronic music thus far, and this comfortably sits with the best.
  13. Aug 29, 2011
    78
    The Golden Age of Apocalypse is a great album that shows Bruner utilizing all of his bass wizardry.
  14. Sep 21, 2011
    74
    These guys have the tools, and God knows they have the chops, but Thundercat has yet to develop a compelling sound of his own, and no amount of production wizardry can ultimately disguise that.
  15. Aug 26, 2011
    70
    Offering a vision more golden age than apocalypse, Thundercat's music sparkles, and the effect is both lovely 
and overwhelming.
  16. Aug 25, 2011
    70
    There's a completely unique blend of textures and a desire for musical experimentation running through the bloodstream of The Golden Age of Apocalypse, and it would be a great shame to see that overlooked.
  17. Q Magazine
    Sep 22, 2011
    60
    Freaky electronica from West Coast bass maestro. [Oct 2011, p.130]
  18. Aug 30, 2011
    60
    Bruner has some pretty sweet, vibey chops that he deploys sporadically here. If cultivated, he could deliver that skewed-fusion, weed hazed love letter he's attempted here. In the meantime, best to let him noodle it out on his own.
  19. Aug 29, 2011
    60
    A little muscle, and maybe even a little heavy-metal menace, would have balanced the album out nicely.
  20. Uncut
    Aug 26, 2011
    60
    Both fierce and mellow, this is smooth-jazz with an alluringly punky heart. [Sep 2011, p.96]
  21. Aug 25, 2011
    60
    His mellifluous style, best exemplified on Boat Cruise and Jamboree, ebbs and flows without ever letting go of the groove. A bit like Jaco Pastorius in a space suit.
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Jun 3, 2013
    9
    Been nearly two years since its release, and I'm still playing it on my stereo till this day. The bassist of Suicidal Tendencies, underBeen nearly two years since its release, and I'm still playing it on my stereo till this day. The bassist of Suicidal Tendencies, under moniker Thundercat, released his album on 2011. Unlike any sort of jazz I've listened before, The Golden Age of Apocalypse sets off a cosmic, sonic and electrifying vibe. It's a strong, bass centric jam that would soothed the tensest minds. Highlight tracks: Fleer Ultra, Jamboree, For Love I Come, Daylight Full Review »
  2. Jul 12, 2018
    8
    The most homogenic and organic Thundercat album. A lot of creativity, daring, musicality, groove and virtuosity, which still remains inThe most homogenic and organic Thundercat album. A lot of creativity, daring, musicality, groove and virtuosity, which still remains in posteriour albuns. Full Review »