Universal Themes
by Sun Kil Moon
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 22, 2015
    60
    The album is as stuck in time as a delivered text or dead second cousin. The songs remain the same.
  2. Pitchfork
    Jun 10, 2015
    60
    It's ultimately a spotty album from a guy who has released a lot of spotty albums.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 1, 2015
    60
    Universal Themes is another chapter in the larger work in which the gruff San Franciscan transplant continues to grouse about hipsters (Cry Me A River Williamsburg Sleeve Tattoo Blues), count blessings, and ponders the cruel senselessness of the universe with intermittently startling guitar work.
  5. The Guardian
    Jun 1, 2015
    60
    There are spoken segments, garage-rock and pretty acoustic passages, too, but his default setting is intimate and minimal.
  6. The 405
    Jun 2, 2015
    55
    It has interesting moments and one cannot really fault Kozelek for looking to present a different narrative than his previous record. But there is no denying that Benji set a high bar and this record borrows elements from it, but does so with disappointing results.
  7. Under The Radar
    Jun 11, 2015
    45
    For someone who has experienced genuine tragedy in his life and has made a career of autobiographical subject matter, it's pretty damn dull.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. Custom_Concerns
    Jun 9, 2015
    5
    I'll preface this by saying that Benji is not only my favorite album of 2014, but one of my favorites of all time. Despite the similar lyricalI'll preface this by saying that Benji is not only my favorite album of 2014, but one of my favorites of all time. Despite the similar lyrical approach in Universal Themes, the detailed stories are far less poignant this time around. Instead of being about the most significant moments of Kozelek's life, they are rather the small, everyday aspects. While this approach has been successfully implemented (see: Courtney Barnett), it doesn't work very well here. The instrumentation and songwriting are too incoherent and unfocused to provide a strong backdrop to the lyrics, especially considering the songs are so long. Overall, the album feels more unfocused than it does avant-garde.… Full Review »
  2. Nedloh94
    Jun 2, 2015
    9
    This is a dense listen. Each song feels aimless, but every song has a central idea behind it. Overall, though, the album feels as thoughThis is a dense listen. Each song feels aimless, but every song has a central idea behind it. Overall, though, the album feels as though Kozelek is talking about being thrust into situations that make him feel out of place, or where other people are out of their comfort zones. Definitely gives the middle-of-nowhere cover art a bit more meaning. In that sense, the album is a brilliant amalgamation of seemingly random incidents that each connect. With that, there is almost nothing else like Universal Themes. Though it is dense, and occasionally shambolic and dissonant, Universal Themes is wildly rewarding, and characteristically heartfelt and human of Kozelek, while still finding the Koz pushing his craft in exciting, challenging directions.… Full Review »
  3. nirvanafreak
    Jun 3, 2015
    8
    No album has moved me this year like Sun Kil Moon's Universal Themes. His lyrics are intriguing, his vocals are raw and he has just put outNo album has moved me this year like Sun Kil Moon's Universal Themes. His lyrics are intriguing, his vocals are raw and he has just put out one of the best albums of the year with 8 long but fulfilling tracks about a mixture of subjects and cry me a river Williamsburg sleeve tattoo blues is an amazing title, just saying.
    Fav tracks:The possum, garden of lavender, cry me a river Williamsburg sleeve tattoo blues, little rascals
    Least fav track:I don't know i guess if I had to pick I'd say Birds of flim    … Full Review »
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