Untogether - Blue Hawaii
Untogether Image
Metascore
69 out of 100

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

User Score
6.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

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  • Summary: The debut full-length release from Canadian duo of Alexander Cowan and Raphaelle Standell-Preston was written separately and recorded over two years.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Resident Advisor
    Mar 11, 2013
    90
    The result is a record that's sensually stark, with not one extraneous moment marking its naked contours.
  2. Mixmag
    Mar 6, 2013
    80
    Put intellectual conceits aside and Untogether’s dense, throbbing undercurrent, a soundtrack to some alternative dancefloor, proves alluring.
  3. The Quietus
    Mar 22, 2013
    80
    The question of whether BRAIDS will return or not melts away in this deeply personal insight into Blue Hawaii's emotional and physical connections with one another.
  4. Exclaim
    Mar 5, 2013
    60
    Untogether does manage to lose its grip on your attention, at times, falling back on a bit of redundancy, but when it takes hold, it grabs you by the ears and fills them with a wistfulness that haunts you for days.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Derezzination
    5
    The Canadian electronic scene seems to be ever growing. With 2012 seeing major released from Grimes and Crystal Castles, both releasing their third album, Blue Hawaii are in good company. If I had to compare them to either Crystal Castles or Grimes, then it would be the latter, but in truth, they really sit in between. Vocally they have some Halfaxa sounds going on, Grimes’ second album. Musically though, it’s a cleaner mix of both of them, with cut up vocal tracks in some places but overall the album is more contained. The first track feels like a sampler of the album to come, you get a good feel of the overall tone the Blue Hawaii have.

    The singing on second track “Try To Be” remind me a little of musical direction Emika is going in her second album, or what I have heard. “Try To Be” is a calm song, it’s very easy listening.

    “In Two” carries on the general calm Grimes feel, but feels dancy at the same time yet not as much as “Oblivion” or “Genesis”. “In Two II” doesn’t feel much like it carries on from part I. It seems like the band are gaining their own ground, separating them from their contemporaries by choosing to produce a more relaxed dance electronic sound that settles nicely in your mind. The problem I have is that it doesn’t really go anywhere extreme, it’s always one pleasantry after another, I want to get to the conversation instead of endless “hellos”.

    I like the amount of bass they have, it goes well with there sound, but it is subtle and they seem to be working with that. I think some artists have a lack of it, and others really implement the use of bass lines and drones. This makes the music interesting, it adds a different layer and makes me stay to listen to the album through.

    Sometimes it reminds me of TOKiMONSTA, but as soon as I think that, it changes. There are very subtle 80′s elements in this album. Slight popcorn sounding synths, and other nostalgic sounds but the band never seem to land on anything concrete other than there base pleasurable calming sound.

    Despite the initial prospect and the promise, the album blends and lacks a lot to distinguish itself. It doesn’t capture your attention much, there isn’t really that one song that comes on and you never want it off. Yes, there are some good songs, “Follow”, ”Try To Be” and “Flammarion”

    The album is very pleasant and very well spoken like a gentleman, but it lacks, for now, any ambition. It doesn’t take you anywhere exciting, sure it takes you away to a dream world, and it’s good for that. It’s good for a cloud fantasy. But as an album, it just blurs. It doesn’t have enough substance for me to love it. I can just like to listen to it, and appreciate it, but that’s it.    … Expand

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