8
by Incubus
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 21, 2017
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 40
  3. Negative: 8 out of 40
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  1. Damien
    Apr 28, 2017
    8
    This is a good album with inspired, powerful and efficient alt rock songs. I am really impressed by the level of creativity they can still achieve after more than 20 years of making music together. Each time they take risk and try to go deeper in unexplored paths. After taking the time to listen and having given a REAL chance to this album (that is: I think that most of the critics areThis is a good album with inspired, powerful and efficient alt rock songs. I am really impressed by the level of creativity they can still achieve after more than 20 years of making music together. Each time they take risk and try to go deeper in unexplored paths. After taking the time to listen and having given a REAL chance to this album (that is: I think that most of the critics are completely biased when reviewing such type of "old" bands) there are especially two songs that impressed me: "Love in a time of surveillance" & "Glitterbomb". The remaining songs are also great, meaning that it will take plenty of listens to understand the sound on this album, which is fantastic (e.g., I only fully appreciated A Crow left of The Murder years after its release)!… Expand
  2. rsyracus
    Apr 26, 2017
    10
    I really like this record. Mixed reception seems unwarranted. Is there some kind of bias against the band? Flows very well and might win over some new fans. Been playing on repeat since release.
  3. Lobbyist3
    Apr 21, 2018
    3
    An overproduced record that plays to none of the strengths of Incubus. It makes use of electronic sampling in all the wrong ways. I would have liked to hear the album before Skrillex dropped a nuke on it.
  4. kylo_zen
    Mar 14, 2019
    2
    This is a really bad album. I hate to say it. I use to be a hardcore incubus fan for many years but this music is unlistenable.
  5. theantipop
    Apr 21, 2017
    9
    Rating: 9/10.
    Incubus returns to the spotlight with a heavy, rock inspired album. With songs such as No Fun, Throw Out the Map and Glitterbomb, the band pushes the envelope, particularly from 2011 album, If Not Now, When? 8 is creative, well produced, and each song gels well with each other. Even after just a few listens, the melodies and lyrics are making a mark. Good work Incubus, a    Rating: 9/10.
    Incubus returns to the spotlight with a heavy, rock inspired album. With songs such as No Fun, Throw Out the Map and Glitterbomb, the band pushes the envelope, particularly from 2011 album, If Not Now, When? 8 is creative, well produced, and each song gels well with each other. Even after just a few listens, the melodies and lyrics are making a mark. Good work Incubus, a solid return to the music landscape.    … Expand
  6. Relytf
    Apr 21, 2017
    10
    I have grown to adore this album. Once you really give it a thorough listen, you will have difficulty keeping it off repeat and singing along as I have. Incubus has never disappointed and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
  7. alexandrefenot
    Apr 26, 2017
    3
    Very Disappointed . they never got over "make yourself" and "If Not Now, When?". this album is noisy, inconsistent and soulless . Only "undefeated" saves the album from a total failure. I was expecting a lot from one of my favorite band. too bad
  8. A7sus4
    Apr 26, 2017
    7
    Nothing ground breaking, but a pretty solid entry into their discography. The negative reviews must be about something other than the music, which overall, IMO, is focused, well written, and catchy. Comments about it lacking energy or inspiration are frankly just off the mark. Is it "essential"? Idk, it's latter career Incubus, make of it what you will. All-in-all it's an enjoyableNothing ground breaking, but a pretty solid entry into their discography. The negative reviews must be about something other than the music, which overall, IMO, is focused, well written, and catchy. Comments about it lacking energy or inspiration are frankly just off the mark. Is it "essential"? Idk, it's latter career Incubus, make of it what you will. All-in-all it's an enjoyable listen straight through that'll make for a great summer album.… Expand
  9. sratomasfer
    Apr 24, 2017
    2
    8 is a plain and uninspiring album that will be forgotten in a year. Its kind of sad to see this happen. They don't bring anything new to the table and don't capitalize on any stylistic details they've used before. Really, this is just a boring snoozefest.
  10. darth_bilbo
    Apr 22, 2017
    10
    I have been a hardcore incubus fan for 17 years. This is one of my album favorite incubus albums, behind Make Yourself. This album is sort of a concept album, in the sense that there is a common message undercutting every song in the album. It is a relevant message that reflects upon our ever-increasing digital world and the implications that come with it. It's an album about aging. It'sI have been a hardcore incubus fan for 17 years. This is one of my album favorite incubus albums, behind Make Yourself. This album is sort of a concept album, in the sense that there is a common message undercutting every song in the album. It is a relevant message that reflects upon our ever-increasing digital world and the implications that come with it. It's an album about aging. It's about our relationships with others and our capacity to feel utterly alone in a world full of people. It's about reaching a point in your life when you start to wonder if you are even relevant to the world anymore. And finally, in a moment of enlightenment, it's about rebirth by deciding to "throw out the map, don't look back." Brandon's honesty here is vulnerable, beautiful, insightful, and full of strength. That is tremendously appealing. And plus, the album fracking ROCKS and hits HARD. Thank you, for another classic album, incubus. The boys are BACK!… Expand
  11. RhandAltor
    Apr 25, 2017
    7
    '8' marks a return to a more energetic and rocking Incubus, after their last album. While it may not be the most creative or innovative album, it's a step back to their older sound. Hardcore fans will recognize the sound of Make Yourself through Light Grenades. A solid record, but not one that will be remembered as one of their best.
  12. Illuminate
    Jun 10, 2017
    10
    This album is awesome go buy it. It is my most played album of 2017. It is as good as Morning View in my opinion, my interest in Incubus had waned since that album, but this is full of bangers.
  13. countingufos
    Apr 25, 2017
    7
    After 6 (long) years since their last full length, incubus releases 8. A collection of songs that stay true to the incubus sound but don't really expand into new musical territory. There are some great moments in songs like throw out the map, love in a time of surveillance and familiar faces. low points for me include state of the art and no fun. To me this album is a solid effort, butAfter 6 (long) years since their last full length, incubus releases 8. A collection of songs that stay true to the incubus sound but don't really expand into new musical territory. There are some great moments in songs like throw out the map, love in a time of surveillance and familiar faces. low points for me include state of the art and no fun. To me this album is a solid effort, but doesn't really measure up to their earlier releases. Although a definite step up from INNW. I would rank incubus albums in this order:
    1.Crow/MV
    3.MY
    4.LG/Science
    6.8
    7.INN,W
    8.Fungus    … Expand
  14. TheLastPistol
    Apr 28, 2017
    8
    This album is taking a ton of heat and I don't really understand why. I personally love it and find that after every listen I like it more & more, It has a great melodic flow and I find myself singing or humming parts of the album all day long lately. Okay its not "Make Yourself" or " A Crow Left..." but people need to listen to this album a few times through and I'm sure it will grow on them.
  15. awoosteen
    May 6, 2017
    8
    This record brought Incubus basck to their essentials: back to rock music, with songs like No Fun (best one on this record), Throw Out the Map and the lead single Nimble Bastard, but this record also has the Light Grenades' ballads vibe, tracks like Loneliest or State of the Art (more noisy than the last one mentioned) make this record one of the best Incubus' albums of this century.
  16. bella157
    May 16, 2017
    8
    This is a good album. I think critics want Incubus to remain the same and not and evolve personally or musically. Who wants guys in their 40's singing about teenage and 20's issues? It's like If not now, when? It's not my favorite album; I, too, prefer early to mid stuff, but I like it. I agree with Damien, with each successive album, the band digs deeper lyrically. If they were singingThis is a good album. I think critics want Incubus to remain the same and not and evolve personally or musically. Who wants guys in their 40's singing about teenage and 20's issues? It's like If not now, when? It's not my favorite album; I, too, prefer early to mid stuff, but I like it. I agree with Damien, with each successive album, the band digs deeper lyrically. If they were singing the same old, the critics would be complaining that they had not evolved. How many times have you listened to an older Incubus song and realized some nuance of the music or lyrics?
    Also, can they be louder at concerts?? Looking forward to seeing them at DTE this summer.    … Expand
  17. borikuarokero
    May 21, 2017
    9
    I have been following Incubus since I was 16 years old! My first album was S.C.I.E.N.C.E., I loved this album so much that when i heard they had another album "Make yourself" i saved my money and bought it! My first listen through, I absolutely hated it! it was nothing like their last album, but the more i listened to it, the more I loved it! When Morning View came out I was so excited toI have been following Incubus since I was 16 years old! My first album was S.C.I.E.N.C.E., I loved this album so much that when i heard they had another album "Make yourself" i saved my money and bought it! My first listen through, I absolutely hated it! it was nothing like their last album, but the more i listened to it, the more I loved it! When Morning View came out I was so excited to get it and listen and, yet again, I said what the hell Incubus? What is this garbage!! but the more i listened to it the more i love it! I go through the same process with each and every album! This is no different. BUT I do have to admit that my first thought from this album is that it was SAFE. I have heard Incubus do some Insane experimental stuff in recent years, (see pantomime) but i guess they're just getting older and that youthfulness is going away, i don't blame them, their fanbase (me) and many like me are already in their mid 30's and we too just want to chill haha. So i truly love this album and have listened to it on repeat since I bought it. My favorite tracks so far are 'Gliterbomb', 'No Fun', 'Nimble Bastard', 'Love in a Time of Surveillance' and 'Throw Away The Map'. Give this album more than one listen, i guarantee you you will be hooked, Its great music, better than most of the garbage that is coming out now a days! Rock on Incubus!… Expand
  18. JSkittles
    Mar 4, 2018
    10
    Just like every Incubus album, this one requires a couple of listens. Love in a Time of Surveillance is a seriously cool song with epic speakers. Its the song that made me give this album a second chance and I'm so happy I did. Listen to it through while your driving. Top notch.
  19. SuperDuperKanye
    Nov 13, 2018
    8
    This is perhaps Incubus at their best in over a decade. 8 is a fun album with catchy songs like No Fun and Glitterbomb. Deeper cuts like Lonliest are moving.
  20. Cjg420
    Apr 3, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Like most Incubus Critics do since 2004ish, they expect it to be a band; you only need to listen one time through on a new release. Yes most bands you can get away with this. Instant gratification is plentiful in Rock n Roll outside of these guys. This album is very underrated. It has a few bangers, a few R&B ROCK SONGS EVEN, and their first all instrumental since 1999s Make Yourself. This review is for all of you that treat incubus like they haven't earned atleast 2 listens before passing judgment. The Earth is robbed of this talent because of the way the industry sales have changed. So, without well researched reviews, these albums never get the chance.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. No Ripcord
    May 17, 2017
    30
    There’s barely any turntable work, just vanilla rock that once you’ve heard once you’ve heard it a million times. ... Incubus have un-made themselves.
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  2. Kerrang!
    May 11, 2017
    40
    8 isn't terrible, but it is boring, which is much worse. [13 May 2017, p.51]
  3. The A.V. Club
    Apr 21, 2017
    50
    Too many songs get halfway there, starting promisingly, then petering out quickly.
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