User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

The Other Side of Make-Believe
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Other Side of Make-Believe Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length studio release for the New York rock band Interpol was produced by Flood and Alan Moulder.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 14, 2022
    90
    The Other Side of Make-Believe preserves the band’s haunted post punk proclivities, but the subtle positive messaging from Banks (and occasionally from the instrumentals) adds another layer of depth to the band’s sound. ... This is easily one of the best albums of 2022, and it stands up to some of Interpol’s greatest works.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Jul 13, 2022
    80
    The Other Side Of Make-Believe is a dependably great album from a dependably great band.
  3. Clash Music
    Jul 14, 2022
    80
    A record packed with solitary voices, the New Yorkers seem to amplify their ability to capture the beauty in melancholy, stripping back the paint of the everyday to reveal the extraordinary underneath.
  4. Uncut
    Jul 6, 2022
    70
    There are no giant leaps here, it’s very much Interpol as you know them, but there’s plenty of micro evolutions, impressive production and subtle tweaks to make this a welcome addition to their catalogue. [Aug 2022, p.28]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Under The Radar
    Jul 14, 2022
    70
    There is no doubt that The Other Side of Make-Believe remains distinctly Interpol, and that is a good thing. Twenty years on from their debut, the band have endured, continuing to produce tight rhythms and shadowy urban soundscapes.
  6. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 15, 2022
    60
    The Other Side of Make Believe scarcely risks driving away disciples. Nor does it cravenly go after fresh converts.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Jul 11, 2022
    50
    A half-baked pastiche of previous releases. Even the album’s highlights can’t compete with the best cuts on later albums like 2014’s El Pintor. In an attempt to move forward, the band has simply disassembled and repackaged the stylistic traits that made them special in the first place.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. giacomorit
    Jul 26, 2022
    10
    Definitely a solid and interesting album! The only 'banger' single appears to be 'Gran Hotel', in accordance with the band's choice to createDefinitely a solid and interesting album! The only 'banger' single appears to be 'Gran Hotel', in accordance with the band's choice to create a more pacific and mature work of art.
    'Toni' and 'Something Changed' completely succeed in breaking the mold as singles.
    All the tracks are actually well-crafted, my favorite ones being 'Passenger', 'Mr. Credit', 'Into the Night', in addition to the above-mentioned 'Gran Hotel', 'Toni' and 'Something Changed'.

    Very exciting material coming from Interpol this year!    … Expand
  2. adamsforpeace
    Jul 21, 2022
    9
    The first 8 songs on this album are phenomenal, layered, atmospheric... up there with Interpols best. Way better than Maurader. I would putThe first 8 songs on this album are phenomenal, layered, atmospheric... up there with Interpols best. Way better than Maurader. I would put this album in the same league as there self titled - not quite at as good as Our Love to Admire but better than El Pintor. Reward with repeat listening, definitely a grower. Favorite track: The Passenger - some of Paul Banks best lyrics.… Expand
  4. sb_in_ne
    Jul 31, 2022
    8
    This album grew on me quite a bit with repeated listens. It is a bit plodding at times, but there are also plenty of delightful moments andThis album grew on me quite a bit with repeated listens. It is a bit plodding at times, but there are also plenty of delightful moments and surprises. Favorite tracks: Toni, Something Changed, Renegade Hearts, Greenwich, and Gran Hotel.… Expand
  5. bertobellamy
    Jul 15, 2022
    6
    I mean, this is not bad, but on first listen it didn't move in any way. That can change shortly, though. Nevertheless, I think that InterpolI mean, this is not bad, but on first listen it didn't move in any way. That can change shortly, though. Nevertheless, I think that Interpol has finally exhausted all options. Can't see where they can go next to try to reignite itself.… Expand
  6. jackfogden
    Jul 16, 2022
    6
    A discog filler album with a fair few good tracks. Favourite Track: Mr Credit.
  7. Brutaljuice
    Jul 26, 2022
    5
    No bueno. This album is dark, dull and way too bleak. Maybe 1 playable track for SiriusXM. They lost what made them special. I couldn’t listenNo bueno. This album is dark, dull and way too bleak. Maybe 1 playable track for SiriusXM. They lost what made them special. I couldn’t listen to this album more than 2 times. I wanted to like it but it’s barely better than Marauder.… Expand
  8. alxmsn
    Jul 16, 2022
    3
    Only listened to it once so far, but I can't hear the kinds of melodies, intensity or grandeur this great band has offered us in the past.Only listened to it once so far, but I can't hear the kinds of melodies, intensity or grandeur this great band has offered us in the past. Just noise, dissonance, apathy and lethargy. I think I'll stick to TOTBL, Antic and Our Love to Admire, thank you very much. Like so many other good bands, they just seem to have run out of inspiration after a few albums. I'll try to give it another couple of listens, but I am really unimpressed so far.… Expand

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
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 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »