With a Hammer
by Yaeji
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Apr 7, 2023
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
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  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 Twin would’ve been proud.
  2. 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 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 creativeComing 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
  3. 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 borint window into the future. Its idiosyncrasies, inconsistently and awful oxymorons are its greatest weakness.
  4. TomMonday
    May 21, 2023
    8
    Sometimes people write words. Sometimes they regret them and change those words. That’s freedom.
  5. 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.
  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

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. 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].
    Read full review
  3. Resident Advisor
    Apr 7, 2023
    80
    It traces Yaeji's emotional development, coming to terms with anger and resentment she had suppressed as a child—a period that she channels into her charged and surprisingly bracing new LP.
    Read full review
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