Ants From Up There
by Black Country, New Road
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 250 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 220 out of 250
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 250
  3. Negative: 23 out of 250
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  1. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    10
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  2. bfore
    Apr 5, 2023
    9
    Just a very good album. I thought real music was dead in the water in with the turns it has taken but this proved me wrong
  3. daytonatabooywr
    Dec 20, 2022
    4
    whilst i understand someone enjoying this project more than i do, the lack of sincerity in the instrumentation severely hold it back from reaching a higher score from me. i did not enjoy the 3rd and 4th track at all, and i quite frankly cant understand why anyone would. overall i think they have potential to make an outstanding project but this album is lost in the forgettability of musicwhilst i understand someone enjoying this project more than i do, the lack of sincerity in the instrumentation severely hold it back from reaching a higher score from me. i did not enjoy the 3rd and 4th track at all, and i quite frankly cant understand why anyone would. overall i think they have potential to make an outstanding project but this album is lost in the forgettability of music in the modern age. im feeling a light to decent 4. tran sition have you given this thing a listen did you love it did you hate it do you support BLM because i do.… Expand
  4. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 20, 2022
    0
    this album is especially magnificent in showing the qualities of life. this album brings emotion only one of high intelligence can record to, my favourite thing about the album is that stated from Anthony fantano "this album Is bad" that's a real quote that was inserted by biog dicks dicks dicks. so Denzel is better and this album is ass and is worse than FERRIS BULLER'S BIGGGGGG DAYYYYY OFFFFFFFF
  5. Deathcow
    Oct 31, 2022
    8
    While a solid album, it is weighed down by too many songs that overstay their welcome, something of a theme for the band.
  6. Manny90210
    Oct 21, 2022
    0
    I know one thing for sure..............................................................
  7. fahim98
    Oct 8, 2022
    9
    I really enjoyed this. It's a great successor to the debut. I loved "Bread Song" and "Basketball Shoes." I think this is better than the debut. Overall, great album. I think it's going to go down as one of the best albums of the decade. It's long but worth the listen. Very enjoyable rock and jazz music. It's very creative and different from most rock right now.
  8. GnymedePrincess
    Oct 7, 2022
    10
    Found this vinyl at a bookstore, looked interesting so I decided to pick it up. The intro track had me instantly hooked, and kept me intrigued throughout this entire beautiful, emotional, crushing journey. It's unreal that this is only the second project from this group, I can't wait to see what they do next. Album of the year.

    Favorite track: Basketball Shoes
  9. sleepnice
    Sep 19, 2022
    10
    Beautiful, powerful, fun, joyful and sad, basically perfect technically but without being too pretentious, this is a perfect rock album with some of the most amazing moments both in sound and lyrically, perfect music.
    aoty don't @ me
  10. diluteacid
    Aug 22, 2022
    7
    Great work on this from my fave artist probably ever. also! had a hard time trying to understand what she was speaking through the album. He makes it hard to truly understand what was going through their mind in making such a widely uncomfortable yet simply delivered on what needed to be done.
  11. AboveAllMusic
    Aug 19, 2022
    10
    Album of the year. Each member of the band is clearly so talented. Their chemistry is just off the charts.
  12. curlyjoe
    Aug 6, 2022
    10
    Incredible album, truly blows me away every time I listen. Unique and interesting lyrics, music and melodies, dynamic and 'full' sounding songs; there's not a dull moment on this album. From the powerful crescendo on the final song 'Basketball Shoes', the heartbreaking 'The Place Where He Inserted the Blade' and the thrilling and powerful "Snow Globes, it's truly and album that gets betterIncredible album, truly blows me away every time I listen. Unique and interesting lyrics, music and melodies, dynamic and 'full' sounding songs; there's not a dull moment on this album. From the powerful crescendo on the final song 'Basketball Shoes', the heartbreaking 'The Place Where He Inserted the Blade' and the thrilling and powerful "Snow Globes, it's truly and album that gets better with every listen.… Expand
  13. Zeno_505
    Jul 28, 2022
    10
    低音呢喃式人声演绎相较首专而言变得更为内敛，所谓的极简主义氛围更多也是体现在人声这一环节上。此外，运用留白段落来塑造乐曲情绪递进的手段也在这张专辑中大放异彩，在渐强中推进听者情感走向的器乐编排则与留白段落一起，为歌曲流动的鼓膜共鸣铺开底色，而在此之上的是作为专辑核心的跨流派器乐段落，既有对传统结构的摒弃，也有相对古典的管弦段落，但都无一例外地保持着出色的音色审美与令人印象深刻的乐句写作。低音呢喃式人声演绎相较首专而言变得更为内敛，所谓的极简主义氛围更多也是体现在人声这一环节上。此外，运用留白段落来塑造乐曲情绪递进的手段也在这张专辑中大放异彩，在渐强中推进听者情感走向的器乐编排则与留白段落一起，为歌曲流动的鼓膜共鸣铺开底色，而在此之上的是作为专辑核心的跨流派器乐段落，既有对传统结构的摒弃，也有相对古典的管弦段落，但都无一例外地保持着出色的音色审美与令人印象深刻的乐句写作。
  14. AShinyG1ratina
    Jun 21, 2022
    10
    I’m **** breaking down after listening to this **** Review soon, maybe, idk.
  15. Bolyf
    Jun 21, 2022
    1
    I very nearly switched off halfway through and by the end of the album I wish I had. There were some interesting moments - the odd dramatic drum build up or soaring violin refrain - but I was never ‘grabbed’ and they just reminded me of similar elements in other bands’ music, bands that I found myself desperately wanting to listen to instead. To me, no one song stands out on this album.I very nearly switched off halfway through and by the end of the album I wish I had. There were some interesting moments - the odd dramatic drum build up or soaring violin refrain - but I was never ‘grabbed’ and they just reminded me of similar elements in other bands’ music, bands that I found myself desperately wanting to listen to instead. To me, no one song stands out on this album. And whilst I often love an album that works as a whole and tells a spiralling story and takes me on a complete journey, with this I found the journey from song to song incredibly arduous, boring and repetitive. I would look forward to a song ending in the hope the next would be a good one… but that cycle just repeated ad infinitum with increasing frustration. And Wood’s voice, which at the start of the album was as an intriguingly uncanny reminder of Orlando from The Maccabees, was really grating on me by the end. To the point that when I read he had left just before the album launched, I felt awkwardly more optimistic about their future output. I must be missing something. Everyone else seems to be writing glowing reviews. But to me they are a poor black and white photocopy mishmash of the indie bands I was listening to in the mid-2000s with nothing particularly original added. I usually love classical instruments on indie tracks… but this never hooked me here. I’m often a sucker for introspective lyrics and songs that build and sway… but these just droned on and irritated me beyond belief. On paper, I should like this album… but my god I was glad when it finished and I could put something else on.… Expand
  16. jimlefferts
    Jun 13, 2022
    7
    The hype here is bordering on hysteria. It's a provocative and interesting listen but often seems obscure because of an inability to articulate. The music might seem compelling to non-jazz fans but really isn't that impressive from a free form perspective.
  17. OtherSide75
    May 18, 2022
    10
    Exceptional chamber pop/baroque/rock album. Sonically and lyrically, it's so varied and so well-paced.
  18. GamaB31
    May 12, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. La vanguardia y el sentimentalismo más puro puesto en un disco, es una carta de despedida perfecta en todos sus detalles, desde líricos hasta los musicales y la forma tan barroca en que nos transmite el soportar en concordia el adiós es una experiencia que solo este disco puede lograr. Simplemente es PERFECTO… Expand
  19. JacksonC
    Apr 25, 2022
    10
    There is not a bad song on this whole album. Isaac's vocals are emotional and sincere, the instrumentation is amazing, the lyrics are almost always meaningful, and the choruses are catchy.
  20. KP1994
    Apr 21, 2022
    10
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_British_Columbia?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Red?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Alberta_Scotties_Tournament_of_Hearts?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Finnish_Cup?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Ukraine_cyberattacks?wprov=sfla1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_British_Columbia?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Red?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Alberta_Scotties_Tournament_of_Hearts?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Finnish_Cup?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Ukraine_cyberattacks?wprov=sfla1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Toronto_Blue_Jays_season?wprov=sfla1… Expand
  21. Stumpfinger
    Apr 8, 2022
    4
    The return of blog rock? I tried to like this album, I really did. I heard such great things about it. But it's just too art school for me. Reminds me of New Pornographers and Animal Collective - blog rock bands I tried really hard to like 10 years ago, and never managed to.
  22. entei36
    Apr 6, 2022
    10
    amazing and emotional i haven't had anything bless my ears and **** my mind like this before
  23. shaneyboy
    Mar 15, 2022
    10
    This the type of album that I would consider an 'instant classic'. In the coming years I think this album will certify its status as a masterful piece of work.
  24. MusicGuyMack
    Mar 8, 2022
    10
    Deftly fusing swelling, "Bon Iver, Bon Iver"-type chamber pop and the heady art rock of the likes of Arcade Fire, "Ants From Up There" certainly won't be to everyone's liking even with a more conscious effort by Black Country, New Road to craft a more accessible record, but fans of both aforementioned groups and those in search of something new will find plenty to love in the album'sDeftly fusing swelling, "Bon Iver, Bon Iver"-type chamber pop and the heady art rock of the likes of Arcade Fire, "Ants From Up There" certainly won't be to everyone's liking even with a more conscious effort by Black Country, New Road to craft a more accessible record, but fans of both aforementioned groups and those in search of something new will find plenty to love in the album's immaculate songwriting and rich, layered instrumentation.… Expand
  25. Claw_PL
    Mar 4, 2022
    10
    The production, lyrics, music, It all just screams instant music classic.And i believe it's gonna be strong contender for album of the year or even the album of an upcoming decade.
  26. Brunnogamer325
    Feb 25, 2022
    10
    One of the bests albums I've ever heard. It's great to be alive and listen to this.
  27. elryo
    Feb 23, 2022
    10
    Very special. Feels like it should be very influential for future artists. Listening to this from start to end is just a joy and leaves you with F E E L I N G. Favourite track - The Place Where He Inserted The Blade
  28. AntonMit
    Feb 22, 2022
    5
    A nice experiment, but all in all, it felt rather pretentious to me and there was no track I would like to listen to again.
  29. Zeraora
    Feb 22, 2022
    3
    Generic out-of-tune indie rock with artsy arrangement, a dry upfront sound, and a vocalist that sure could use a singing lesson or two. It gets noisy, but not in a energic kind of way, it's just annoying noise. The guitar players pluck a string, the bass player plucks a string in bar three, a horn comes in at bar 6 and the drummer bangs randomly at the drums in bar 8. I have heard it soGeneric out-of-tune indie rock with artsy arrangement, a dry upfront sound, and a vocalist that sure could use a singing lesson or two. It gets noisy, but not in a energic kind of way, it's just annoying noise. The guitar players pluck a string, the bass player plucks a string in bar three, a horn comes in at bar 6 and the drummer bangs randomly at the drums in bar 8. I have heard it so many times, and it may sound original, but this is nothing new.… Expand
  30. Fuerstenberg
    Feb 20, 2022
    7
    The sophomore studio album of the young British rock band really is a masterpiece in a certain way. Often subdued, quiet and broken at the beginning, it slowly thaws over time and becomes more rocking. The outstanding production quality and the perfectly harmonized choice of instruments is indeed remarkable. Black Country, New Road reinvents something new and interesting with every song,The sophomore studio album of the young British rock band really is a masterpiece in a certain way. Often subdued, quiet and broken at the beginning, it slowly thaws over time and becomes more rocking. The outstanding production quality and the perfectly harmonized choice of instruments is indeed remarkable. Black Country, New Road reinvents something new and interesting with every song, while sounding authentic and pure.

    The traditional song structures and ballad-like track lengths, as well as the choice of instruments, sometimes make it sound like medieval folk music. Vocally, there is still room for improvement. Overall, the special and revolutionary of "Ants from Up There" is not clear to me. By no means a bad record, but in my opinion nowhere near album of the year or anything like that.

    My favorites:
    "Basketball Shoes"
    "Bread Song"
    "The Place Where He Inserted the Blade"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    February 20, 2022    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2022
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Pitchfork
    Feb 8, 2022
    84
    Knowing how it all ends does nothing to detract from the joy Black Country, New Road have poured into Ants From Up There—not when they spend every second reminding us of why we let ourselves get swept up in these beautifully doomed fantasies to begin with.
    Read full review
  2. Glide Magazine
    Feb 7, 2022
    90
    Ants From Up Here is a thrilling listen, brimming with the confidence and electricity of a young band coming into their own on all fronts, pulling from the past but pushing it undeniably forward, and fully owning their ambition.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Feb 7, 2022
    90
    Throughout “Ants From Up Here,” and through the course of every song, Black Country, New Road tests and reinvents itself, creating music that sounds both intricately plotted and precarious.
    Read full review
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