User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Beneath the Skin
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Beneath the Skin Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the Icelandic folk rock band was produced with Rich Costey.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Crystals
Lost in skies of powdered gold Caught in clouds of silver ropes Showered by the empty hopes As I tumble down Falling fast to the ground I know I'll... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 9, 2015
    80
    This album has the feel of a “for us” record, one that rewards the band for making it and decides that it’s okay to create something deeply personal and a little self-indulgent.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 4, 2015
    80
    The lyrics are tighter, more poetic and speak volumes of a band that have something quite specific to express.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jun 5, 2015
    80
    On the surface Of Monsters And Men’s second album is a lush master-class in pop sensibilities and folk storytelling but Beneath The Skin is more than a name. Scratch below that glittering surface and you’ll discover a band that has discovered themselves.
  4. Boston Globe
    Jun 8, 2015
    70
    Surely someday, Of Monsters and Men, the successful, melodic pop band from Iceland, will actually burrow beneath the skin and reveal genuine depth, but the pleasures of this, their second record, remain mostly on the surface.
  5. Billboard.com
    Jun 15, 2015
    70
    The band hasn't lost its sense of wonder--it's just seeing the world through a more realistic lens.
  6. Exclaim
    Jun 12, 2015
    60
    Beneath the Skin is too humdrum to garner any new acolytes.
  7. Q Magazine
    Jun 3, 2015
    40
    Functional and festival-friendly, their epic naivety quickly becomes wearing. [Jul 2015, p.111]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. mystarisgal
    Jul 7, 2021
    10
    Good melodia. The vocals are amazing, it deserves the score it has and maybe more.
  2. Alexeas
    Jan 4, 2016
    10
    By far one of my favorite albums by them. It starts off slow, but it really picks up momentum. I wouldn't say that they aren't trying newBy far one of my favorite albums by them. It starts off slow, but it really picks up momentum. I wouldn't say that they aren't trying new things because Muse did the same thing when they released "Madness" because he deviated from what his usual style was. I am very comfortable with where Of Monsters and Men is and how they chose to approach this album.… Expand
  4. redcatsix
    Sep 5, 2019
    10
    A much darker and soulful progression from their debut album, Beneath The Skin wraps you up in cold and haunting sounds while still deliveringA much darker and soulful progression from their debut album, Beneath The Skin wraps you up in cold and haunting sounds while still delivering powerful tracks that will remain ringing in your head after your first listen.… Expand
  5. DY17
    Aug 15, 2015
    8
    Simply magical. The entire album has a concept feel, as they all convey the same haunting, mellow sound they've been trying to create. TheSimply magical. The entire album has a concept feel, as they all convey the same haunting, mellow sound they've been trying to create. The only problem I can pick with it is that it's missing the chirpy, upbeat, little-talks/ mountain sound-esque song that was in "My head is an animal". A slight lack of variation but all in all a great album.… Expand
  6. quotes
    Aug 3, 2015
    7
    If you are looking for a "My Head Is an Animal", you are in the wrong place. "Beneath the Skin" is totally different of the band's debutIf you are looking for a "My Head Is an Animal", you are in the wrong place. "Beneath the Skin" is totally different of the band's debut album. This album makes you sink on a ocean of feelings and thoughts with a slow rhythm and simple vocals, mainly because of some great songs that can make you listen to it all day. However, this album does not have power to catch new fans or people who will keep the band in their playlists. It is for people who really like Of Monsters and Men or this type of music; that's the negative point of the album. It would have been better if the band had put one or two strong songs that could catch the attention of the public, like Little Talks did, so the album would be perfect.… Expand
  7. TheDoc
    Jun 13, 2015
    7
    Unlike their first album, which had a charming sort of unpolished, indie-folk feel, Beneath the Skin feels polished and focused, almost toUnlike their first album, which had a charming sort of unpolished, indie-folk feel, Beneath the Skin feels polished and focused, almost to it's detriment. The songs are catchy, and the sound of the album is uniquely OMAM. However there is little variation between the individual tracks giving the album a sort of homogeneous and formulaic feel. Very few tracks on the album stand out from the pack as being uniquely different from the others in terms of rhythm and melody. That's not to say they all sound the same, each song brings it's own unique hook, however the overall feel of the album is a bit "samey."

    Overall it feels like OMAM has found their own unique folky sound. Hopefully their next album will bring about a bit more experimentation with melodies and rhythms to deliver something extraordinary.    … Expand
  8. Gbryan
    Apr 16, 2016
    5
    Beneath the Skin is a good album, but it doesn't come close to My Head Is An Animal. Their first album was sooo unique and had not only aBeneath the Skin is a good album, but it doesn't come close to My Head Is An Animal. Their first album was sooo unique and had not only a sound nobody heard before, but the lyrics to almost every song had a folklore like story to tell. The music videos matched the music perfectly and WeWereMonkeys did a great job on the videos! I was so excited for their second album but it came apparent while listening to Beneath the Skin that they lost something that made them unique and special. Crystals is the only song I LOVE off of Beneath the Skin.… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2015
70
#70 Most Shared Album of 2015