Zonoscope
by Cut Copy
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. Billboard.com
    Mar 4, 2011
    72
    Cut Copy thrives when the ingredients are simple: melody, voice and its influences interpreted.
  2. Consequence
    Feb 23, 2011
    90
    In fact, it's very hard to determine what the actual standout from this album will be, because literally every track is full to the absolute brim with the genius of seasoned veterans
  3. Under The Radar
    Feb 18, 2011
    80
    Owing a debt of gratitude to every 1970s police show theme song in existence, Cut Copy blends all their influences into a multi-movement haze of electronics, creating a perfect album send-off. Hit repeat and keep the good times rolling.
  5. No Ripcord
    Feb 18, 2011
    70
    Cut Copy are back, and back with enough danceable synth-pop to flatten the sensitive Bombay Bicycle Club member in all of us - but only just enough.
  6. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 15, 2011
    69
    Sure Zonoscope is splattered with stumbled-upon gems, but a little more editing and maybe some more focused songwriting sessions could have really brought Zonoscope into focus.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Feb 15, 2011
    75
    There aren't too many new stones in the pop garden that Cut Copy overturns, but what it roots out is expertly arranged, creating pastiches that raise ghosts from the past while capturing a spirit that's utterly now.
  8. BBC Music
    Feb 14, 2011
    70
    While not quite the amazing leap that Cut Copy made from Bright Like Neon Love to In Ghost Colours, Zonoscope is by no means a bad album. But it is one that will probably sound better when wafting across a field during festival season.
  9. PopMatters
    Feb 9, 2011
    70
    Zonoscope is a deviation with mostly good ideas, some great ones, and enough sparkling synth ambrosia and sing-along chorus hooks to get you through.
  10. AllMusic
    Feb 8, 2011
    80
    Thanks to its beauty, warmth, and top-rate songwriting, Cut Copy remain atop the pile of dance-rock groups in 2011, right next to LCD Soundsystem. Thanks to its beauty, warmth, and top-rate songwriting, Cut Copy remain atop the pile of dance-rock groups in 2011, right next to LCD Soundsystem.
  11. CMJ
    Feb 8, 2011
    70
    With few exceptions, these are a solid collection of dance-rock songs and rock-dance tracks-Zonoscope represents the evolution of a band that knows what it's doing.
  12. Chicago Tribune
    Feb 8, 2011
    63
    When Zonoscope sticks to concise songcraft, it's a satisfying, if sometimes trifling, pleasure.
  13. Spin
    Feb 8, 2011
    80
    The record works best at its most focused and extroverted.
  14. Prefix Magazine
    Feb 7, 2011
    70
    They've all called Zonoscope less poppy and more meandering. That's not necessarily the entire case here, but don't doubt the band on this: there are fewer big singles here, and this one isn't likely to spawn multiple indie hits months after its release like the last album.
  15. Paste Magazine
    Feb 7, 2011
    82
    Cut Copy are deceptively complex, even at their hookiest.
  16. NOW Magazine
    Feb 7, 2011
    80
    It's Cut Copy's most textured and rhythmically complex record, and also irresistible in its emotional simplicity.
  17. musicOMH.com
    Feb 7, 2011
    80
    It's another step nearer the masterpiece this band are increasingly capable of delivering.
  18. Slant Magazine
    Feb 7, 2011
    70
    Zonoscope's extensive flirtation with last year's vogue is the most obvious sense in which Cut Copy fails to establish a sonic identity of their own.
  19. Delusions of Adequacy
    Feb 7, 2011
    70
    Clocking in at just a shade over an hour, Zonoscope is – as its cover art of Manhattan being engulfed by a waterfall suggests – a very surreal leviathan, an object that surely mesmerizes as we all wait for the oncoming Armageddon.
  20. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 7, 2011
    80
    Sure, there are those who might be after an In Ghost Colours part two who might be alienated by this album's evident ambition, but for most of us, this is going to be a serious upping of the game.
  21. Pitchfork
    Feb 7, 2011
    86
    Compared to the last two albums, Zonoscope has precious little guitar crunch, which makes it hard to even call Cut Copy a dance-rock band anymore.
  22. cokemachineglow
    Feb 7, 2011
    84
    I'm elated to report that Zonoscope is a more than worthy successor to Colours, adhering to the tried and true follow-up formula of introducing just enough new wrinkles to their method to keep the proceedings from being a rehash, but containing plenty of the rapturous pop hooks that drew us to them in the first place.
  23. Urb
    Feb 3, 2011
    90
    The refreshing thing about bands like Cut Copy is that they're consistent. Far too often do artists change direction throughout their careers and sometimes lose touch with that thing that made us all fall in love with them in the first place, but this isn't the case with Zonoscope.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. cmcdonald5
    Feb 19, 2011
    10
    More dance and less rock than previous albums, but I think this is the best cut copy album yet, and well worth a listen. They won't lose anyMore dance and less rock than previous albums, but I think this is the best cut copy album yet, and well worth a listen. They won't lose any old fans with this album, and I think they will gain new fans as well. Only complaint is some songs go very long with little change in the repetition, but all the better to dance to at your end of the world party right?… Full Review »
  2. tanqueray77
    Feb 12, 2011
    4
    After the stellar dance-rock album "In Ghost Colours", I guess they decided to phone this one in. It is so soaked in all the left over, 80'sAfter the stellar dance-rock album "In Ghost Colours", I guess they decided to phone this one in. It is so soaked in all the left over, 80's synth garbage (OMD, New Order and Depeche Mode) that no one has bothered to meddle in to this point, leaving the entire venture pretty stale. Certainly there are a few dance-able tracks here and there, yet there is minimal to no rock influences this time around and most of all, the tone and tempo of leader singer Whitford's vocals are beyond boring. I've always felt their previous work sounded extremely spontaneous, fun and still provided uniquely interesting structures like no one else; "Zonoscope" shows another side of Cut Copy: unimaginative, non-unique and flat. Better luck next time...… Full Review »
  3. ChrisMiller35
    Feb 10, 2011
    10
    Consistency/innovative/dance-rock inspiring electro pop. Cut Copy is 3 for 3 on career albums and Zonoscope adds a great topping to theConsistency/innovative/dance-rock inspiring electro pop. Cut Copy is 3 for 3 on career albums and Zonoscope adds a great topping to the trilogy of musical euphoria. If you were expecting In Ghost Colours part 2 with hit after hit, CC responded with this new record full of organic new sounds and they passed with flying colours.… Full Review »
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