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The North Borders
by
The North Borders Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth release for electronic producer Simon Green features guest appearances from Erykah Badu, Cornelia, Grey Reverend, and Szjerdene.
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Top Track

First Fires
How do you see it? The dream's gone Faded fires, moving on Why do you need it? the waves come Over you, to undertow Honestly I can't believe it's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Clash Music
    Mar 27, 2013
    90
    The North Borders is a triumph--each listen is a revelation; seemingly it’s a breadth of work that marks a new, exciting era of electronic music.
  2. Dusted Magazine
    Apr 8, 2013
    80
    As distinctive as it is complex, is as much about the journey as its component pieces, commanding all the familiar electronic music components with ease, but infused with the warmth of soul and a kind of cross-continental sophistication.
  3. Resident Advisor
    Apr 10, 2013
    80
    It might be dismissed as dinner party music by those with a hunger for more experimental fare, but The North Borders is charming, fascinating and a touch mysterious.
  4. Exclaim
    Mar 27, 2013
    70
    The North Borders introduces a host of vocalists to accompany solid arrangements.
  5. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Apr 5, 2013
    70
    Whilst The North Borders is hardly a stylistic leap of faith into the unknown there’s definitely a more confident and varied use of textures and instrumentation than on Black Sands, and it marks a new, very much worthwhile chapter in Bonobo’s continuing story.
  6. Consequence
    Apr 1, 2013
    70
    The North Borders now finds Green secure enough in his craft to command the talents of his guest vocalists and create emotional harmonics.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Apr 1, 2013
    60
    By no means is The North Borders sterile, but there isn’t a notably invigorating spark either--at least not of an obtuse or intense gesture.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. aukalender
    Jul 11, 2019
    10
    While it seems the North Borders didn't generate the interest or critical acclaim of Black Sands or Migration, it really left an impression onWhile it seems the North Borders didn't generate the interest or critical acclaim of Black Sands or Migration, it really left an impression on me. Maybe it was the time of its release and I was open to its melancholic sound more than others. This is a technically superb outing for Bonobo, I feel, and Ten Tigers, Sapphire, as well as Bonobo's probably most famous song Cirrus are addictive and timeless, at least for me.… Expand
  2. Cinema_Loot
    Sep 3, 2013
    10
    Literally the best album I have ever heard for this style of music, Bonobo without a doubt has become my favourite artist. Though this albumLiterally the best album I have ever heard for this style of music, Bonobo without a doubt has become my favourite artist. Though this album is almost entirely instrumental tracks each track has it own identity and is full of emotion while felling relaxed… Expand