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Twentytwo in Blue
by
Twentytwo in Blue Image
Metascore
78

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

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Brooklyn indie pop trio of Julia Cumming, Nick Kivlen, and Jacob Faber was co-produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Jacob Portrait.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 21, 2018
    100
    Not one song feels out of place or undercooked.
  2. Clash Music
    Mar 23, 2018
    80
    Though they sometimes still miss, Twentytwo In Blue stakes out the loss of innocence that comes with growing up, and it does it beautifully.
  3. The Skinny
    Mar 19, 2018
    80
    This is a record made by people who you sense are full of all of the possibilities of the world, looking to cram it all in and make some fine music as a soundtrack. They've done a pretty great job so far.
  4. DIY Magazine
    Mar 23, 2018
    80
    The follow-up, a more considered harnessing of all that raw potential, shows just what they’re capable of.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Mar 23, 2018
    75
    It may be derivative, but it’s never weak: SunflowerBean has channeled the most appealing elements of those past decades’ pop music and retained a sprightly, affectionate touch.
  6. No Ripcord
    Mar 28, 2018
    70
    Even if Sunflower Bean know how to carry a tune, a good portion of their songwriting choices can come across as clumsy. But even if they don't exert their confidence to their fullest extent, their themes on emotional and financial uncertainty find a place within the discontent of their generation.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 27, 2018
    40
    Our flower peddlers serve functional rock music, plastic utensils for rudimentary needs, easily disposable and just as easily replaced. And that’s frustrating, for several reasons.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. cloveless
    Aug 30, 2018
    9
    There's a wide spectrum on this album. It gives you a lot to take in. There's some psych, pop, classic rock, and even touches of folkThere's a wide spectrum on this album. It gives you a lot to take in. There's some psych, pop, classic rock, and even touches of folk elements. What Sunflower Bean does best is go between those genres effortlessly. It never feels sloppy. Their choices feel thoughtful and meaningful. After I finished my first listen, I instantly started the album over. I think this album is much stronger than their first in terms of song writing. The topics the band touch on throughout the album have to do with the anxieties of today and the way young people (at the very least these three 22 year olds) feel about the world. "I Was A Fool", "Only A Moment", and "Human For" are my favorite. My one hope is that they can capture their live sound better on recording. I've seen them twice and they are an incredible live band but I don't know if they've totally figured out how to capture that magic just yet. They got closer here than the first album. I'm excited to see what they do next.… Expand
  2. ScarTissue1990
    Oct 6, 2018
    8
    A promising sophomore LP from Sunflower Bean. A project I definitely feel I enjoyed and will go back to more so than their debut HumanA promising sophomore LP from Sunflower Bean. A project I definitely feel I enjoyed and will go back to more so than their debut Human Ceremony. This album is full of nostalgic glam rock, psychedelic rock and pop tracks that are beautifully well crafted and produced. Lyrically, I feel is at times a bit lackluster with nothing much to decipher for. But at it's best, Twentytwo in Blue stands up on it's own to be a moderately excellent album in which I admire mostly for it's diversity and production. Album highlights are; "I Was a Fool", "Memoria" and "Any Way You Like"… Expand
  4. whoa23
    Mar 26, 2018
    4
    The word that comes to mind when listening to this album is "safe", even with the more political and rebellious nature of the album. TheThe word that comes to mind when listening to this album is "safe", even with the more political and rebellious nature of the album. The songwriting is tighter, but the lack of any real exploration in any of the songs leaves them feeling stale and boring. They sound fine, but they always seem to leave me cold and there isn't really much of a desire to re-listen to this album. Even the more intense, rock and roll songs seem to lack the energy that was found on songs like "Wall Watcher" on their previous LP. The song "I Was A Fool" was a personal highlight for me and the only song I can really see myself listening to regularly. I also dislike the political nature of many of the lyrics. It seems Julia Cummings lacks the lyrical prowess to really convey her thoughts. Many of the lyrics seem forced or even silly and while she's talking about important issues, she doesn't really seem to be saying anything. Overall, this album is alright, I just don't find it nearly as interesting an effort as their last album and I think they've lost a lot of that indie personality that made them attractive in the first place.… Expand

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