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With a Hammer
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With a Hammer Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release from New York artist Yaeji features both English and Korean lyrics as well as guest appearances from Enayet, Loraine James, K Wata, and Nourished By Time.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. DIY Magazine
    Apr 5, 2023
    100
    In its refusal to sound anything like its alt-pop predecessors, ‘With A Hammer’ is a breath of fresh air: innovative yet familiar, lackadaisically cool yet brave, a brilliant and sparkling window into the future. Its idiosyncrasies, consistently and wonderfully oxymoronic, are its greatest strength.
  2. Pitchfork
    Apr 10, 2023
    85
    Half of rage is confronting the sorrow that births it and watching it metamorphize. Witnessing the chrysalis is With a Hammer’s most generous gift.
  3. Under The Radar
    Apr 6, 2023
    80
    The result is a record that is kinetic and dynamic, paralleling its lyrical explorations.
  4. Clash Music
    Apr 5, 2023
    80
    She has developed her own world over the last few years, this record feeling like the grand opening; the musical renegade uses this sonic landscape to release feelings of sorrow and doubt and anger, culminating in a truly vivid and innovative record.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 6, 2023
    80
    Even though With a Hammer is Yaeji's most cathartic work to date, it's still playful and optimistic, preferring joy, comfort, and creativity over rage as a form of release.
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 10, 2023
    80
    This 13-track album is a more emphatic, even angry work charting her emotional evolution [than mixtape What We Drew].
  7. Spin
    Apr 6, 2023
    80
    Injecting a familiar formula with a justified newfound seriousness, With a Hammer further cements Yaeji’s place as one of the most valuable producers active in electronic pop today.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. lucas0150
    Apr 12, 2023
    10
    The whole album is fantastic, but ‘Ready or Not’ stands out for me. The beat is so beautiful, so badass, so full of detail. Aphex TwinThe whole album is fantastic, but ‘Ready or Not’ stands out for me. The beat is so beautiful, so badass, so full of detail. Aphex Twin would’ve been proud.… Expand
  2. gavsdelrey
    May 3, 2023
    10
    Absolutely incredible album. She is extremely talented and this piece of work sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard before.
  4. TomMonday
    May 21, 2023
    8
    Sometimes people write words. Sometimes they regret them and change those words. That’s freedom.
  5. Lajaleaa
    May 25, 2023
    7
    Coming from "WHAT WE DREW" (2020), this first LP project of the Seul-NYC DJ is an interesting reason to hear a more professional side ofComing from "WHAT WE DREW" (2020), this first LP project of the Seul-NYC DJ is an interesting reason to hear a more professional side of Yaeji. Throughout this very trance-house style, it will be very evident how Yaji knows with academy dept the textures of this industry. Unfortunately, "With A Hammer" is her standing strong as what this industrial music is, more than a creative experimentation to what she can be in the genre. Hopefully we can get to hear her exploring herself in the incoming projects.… Expand
  6. leogarcia132002
    May 22, 2023
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's an amazing album but it starts to drift in sound when you get closer to the last part.… Expand
  7. noname0
    Apr 26, 2023
    0
    In its refusal to sound anything original , ‘With A Hammer’ is NOT a breath of fresh air: not nnovative while lacklusterly cool, a borintIn its refusal to sound anything original , ‘With A Hammer’ is NOT a breath of fresh air: not nnovative while lacklusterly cool, a borint window into the future. Its idiosyncrasies, inconsistently and awful oxymorons are its greatest weakness.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Album of 2023
61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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