22, A Million
by Bon Iver
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 387 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 334 out of 387
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 387
  3. Negative: 22 out of 387
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  1. coopdedoop
    Oct 1, 2016
    5
    Pretty disappointed in this album to be honest. To me, it seems like Justin Vernon is trying to hard to create art instead of music, if you get what I mean. I get the feeling like he is trying to create the best album that's ever existed and that every boundary must be broken, but a lot of it just comes out as pretentious to me, especially those titles. There are some songs that definitelyPretty disappointed in this album to be honest. To me, it seems like Justin Vernon is trying to hard to create art instead of music, if you get what I mean. I get the feeling like he is trying to create the best album that's ever existed and that every boundary must be broken, but a lot of it just comes out as pretentious to me, especially those titles. There are some songs that definitely have a lot of good stuff, particularly "29 #Strafford APTS," but some of the production choices seemed unnecessary and too much of an attempt at being groundbreaking. Just because the way you distorted your voice has never been done before doesn't mean it's good. But what really bothers me about this album is the lyrics. They literally are fragments of ideas that only confuse everyone. His lyrics are the equivalent of throwing paint on to a canvas at random and hoping that it turns into something. Your lyrics have to be accessible to someone other than yourself, so at least try to make them readable. Just because you make up words like "paramind" doesn't mean you're a genius. Justin Vernon is a talented musician, but his ego is obviously really big, and I don't get the type of pleasure listening to this album as I have with his earlier stuff. To me, it's just a cluttered mess and a disappointment. Also, screw those song titles.… Expand
  2. IAmGary
    Sep 30, 2016
    6
    Mostly disappointing. First off, let me say I'm a big fan of Justin's and Bon Iver. I loved 'For Emma' and 'Bon Iver,' and I thought the latest Volcano Choir album was brilliant. Cannot play them all enough. But this record underwhelms. First, there's not enough of it. The CD goes by in a heartbeat. But the real problem here was production. The record sounds like someone broke into theMostly disappointing. First off, let me say I'm a big fan of Justin's and Bon Iver. I loved 'For Emma' and 'Bon Iver,' and I thought the latest Volcano Choir album was brilliant. Cannot play them all enough. But this record underwhelms. First, there's not enough of it. The CD goes by in a heartbeat. But the real problem here was production. The record sounds like someone broke into the studio, deleted most guitar and piano tracks, clipped random verses and the last 30 seconds of most of the songs. And then he or she submerged the remaining master tape in a bucket of water. Instead of fixing, Justin said, "screw it," and released it as is.
    The record should have sounded like the live recording of "666" from Eaux Claires 2015 festival. Sadly that big, bold and crisp sound is gone. We're left with a sparse, autotune-gone-wild mix that's mostly an assault on the senses, and not in a good way.    … Expand
  3. NavyBean
    Oct 7, 2016
    4
    I will happily change this review if I have some ephinany but alas for today ... this is overproduced nonsense.

    It reminds of the time I was in Key West and immediately walked into a bar with a beautiful rainbow motif. Let me just say what happened next changed me FOREVER! I was given a very strange proposal by a group of older men in matching jumpsuits. Sensing destiny, I reached    I will happily change this review if I have some ephinany but alas for today ... this is overproduced nonsense.

    It reminds of the time I was in Key West and immediately walked into a bar with a beautiful rainbow motif. Let me just say what happened next changed me FOREVER! I was given a very strange proposal by a group of older men in matching jumpsuits. Sensing destiny, I reached around for it!

    The next thing I knew, I was in the backroom of a fish shop and all my clothes were gone except for some spandex shorts and wooden clog shoes.

    That was 18 months ago. I'm not sure whatever became of my wife and kids, but I think they'd be proud of the new me and the courageous decisions I've made. I'd also like them to see the cage I dance in on the weekends.

    Thank you Bon Iver. I close my eyes and see you always!    … Expand
  4. kglnyc
    Oct 6, 2016
    5
    Bon Iver meets Muzak -- okay, I guess, if you're on an elevator or wandering around an airport. I used to think that Vernon was the best thing happening for Kanye West; now I think West is the worst thing happening for Vernon. Very disappointing.
  5. asshondryia
    Oct 4, 2016
    4
    There is nothing to this record. It's only some magical **** that allows Bon Iver release any **** outtakes that he wishes, and be sure about the Pitchfork rating. Lo-fi sound of 22 a million is pathetic, and it mainly seems to impose the lack of melodies. With his third and worst album, Bon Iver somehow manages to fool everyone with drum machine being used separately from the blank vocalThere is nothing to this record. It's only some magical **** that allows Bon Iver release any **** outtakes that he wishes, and be sure about the Pitchfork rating. Lo-fi sound of 22 a million is pathetic, and it mainly seems to impose the lack of melodies. With his third and worst album, Bon Iver somehow manages to fool everyone with drum machine being used separately from the blank vocal parties. He tries to be both Kanye West and James Blake, but fails miserably.… Expand
  6. Prosmooth
    Sep 30, 2016
    5
    I'll probably end up re-reviewing this after (i hope) it grows on me. First couple of spins though--I'm sorry, but I'm just not into it, especially the first half. I hated Kid A among other avant-garde releases on first hearing them though, so I'm hoping it's one of those records. Sounds like real mess at this point though. Let the downvoting commence!
  7. Cyrone
    Oct 2, 2016
    6
    Overrated garbage. Seriously, how badly do you have to be on Bon Iver's **** to actually say this is genius? It sounds like a high school graduate created this in his electronic music class. Songwriting is piss poor and save for a couple beat here and there, I see no reason to listen to this again. This is coming from someone who thought his 2012 album was a 10/10.
    This is a poor man's    Overrated garbage. Seriously, how badly do you have to be on Bon Iver's **** to actually say this is genius? It sounds like a high school graduate created this in his electronic music class. Songwriting is piss poor and save for a couple beat here and there, I see no reason to listen to this again. This is coming from someone who thought his 2012 album was a 10/10.
    This is a poor man's James Blake. Also, no Kanye??    … Expand
  8. longjetty7
    Nov 21, 2016
    5
    I've tried really hard to like this album, but I just can't. Normally I appreciate experimental music, but this album feels intentionally defiant, like it's trying to be as challenging as possible, and I just can't handle that level of pretension. Everything about 22, A Million, from the cryptic lyrics, to the Aphex Twin-like song titles, to the jarring song structures, feels soI've tried really hard to like this album, but I just can't. Normally I appreciate experimental music, but this album feels intentionally defiant, like it's trying to be as challenging as possible, and I just can't handle that level of pretension. Everything about 22, A Million, from the cryptic lyrics, to the Aphex Twin-like song titles, to the jarring song structures, feels so unnecessarily rebellious. The best moments of the album are when Bon Iver writes actual songs with melodies and interesting instrumentation (10 deathbreast, 666), but these moments are few and far between, and the album goes by too quickly to feel substantial or satisfying. There are some pretty moments that redeem this album from being in the red, but overall this is a confusing and disappointing listen.… Expand
  9. sratomasfer
    Feb 28, 2017
    6
    I was pretty underwhelmed with this record. It seems to me that Justin is trying to borrow from glitch electronic artists like Proem and Thom Yorke in order to cover up the fact that the record is full of unfinished ideas. I'm glad he's trying to go somewhere different sonically but I want it to be more honest and less artificial in use.
  10. GabrielPaz
    Feb 9, 2020
    6
    Ele tentou mas conseguiu fazer um conjunto de músicas que doem o ouvido as vezes, distorções são boas quando você usa elas com sabedoria, e Bon Iver não usou tão bem, esse album tem músicas muito boas mas como uma obra completa ele peca demais.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2016
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2016
54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. Magnet
    Nov 16, 2016
    85
    Vernon's gorgeous falsetto and vice grip on melody hold it all together beautifully. [No. 137, p.52]
  2. Record Collector
    Nov 3, 2016
    100
    While some may sneer at the glitches and production tricks that pepper the record, thinking them mere gimmicks, those who stick around long enough will be rewarded by a string of mature, thoughtful songs emerging from their concealment, gradually revealing a little more of themselves with each play.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 14, 2016
    80
    Vernon is in no rush to clear up any of this--to harden ideas about himself or his art--on 22, a Million, which represents an even bigger leap than Bon Iver’s previous record.
    Read full review
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