Big Mess
by Grouplove
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Sep 9, 2016
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. miguelsanhueza
    Oct 2, 2016
    10
    This album is amazing, is filled with great and catchy songs, one of the best alternative albums of the year btw. A great statement for this year, all the songs sounds the same, and this cut all of that.
  2. anonymous1baby
    Nov 2, 2016
    8
    I think the critics hate to admit a simple pop album can be worthy of a high rating. This is no Abbey Road, but is very enjoyable for Grouplove fans and newcomers alike. I recommend a listen for those with an open mind.
  3. MacsMusic
    May 31, 2018
    7
    Production-wise, BM isn't too messy. The electronic-pop is not as polished and sparkly as Passion Pit's, but it is often satisfying and even pleasant to listen to at times. Vocally, BM is pretty great, with original, interesting singers whose voices work well with the music. Unfortunately, BM has unironically messy, immature lyrics. They lack originality at their core, with little realProduction-wise, BM isn't too messy. The electronic-pop is not as polished and sparkly as Passion Pit's, but it is often satisfying and even pleasant to listen to at times. Vocally, BM is pretty great, with original, interesting singers whose voices work well with the music. Unfortunately, BM has unironically messy, immature lyrics. They lack originality at their core, with little real emotion or power. Most bands don't seem capable of writing a good, heartfelt song about love or sex, and Grouplove, in this respect, is one of those bands. Now, "Enlighten Me" really stands out thanks to it's climatic, mature music and uncharacteristically good lyrics. "Life," "Night," "Someone," "Morning," and sever other songs on this album have attractive, catchy, fun music.

    Big Mess lives up to it's title in terms of lyrical quality, but the music is pretty good for the most part and the vocals are unquestionably entertaining.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Rolling Stone
    Oct 11, 2016
    60
    Until the band fully embraces their ping-pong guitars and surly one-liners ("I wish I saw myself the way you see me now"), Grouplove will likely remain a singles band rather than the new-R.E.M. their ambition hints at.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 23, 2016
    30
    Big Mess is hardly much more than ten stabs at reclaiming a relevancy that was only marginally theirs to begin with.
    Read full review
  3. Magnet
    Sep 23, 2016
    50
    About 45 seconds into song after song, the chorus punches in loudly--predictably and, ultimately, annoyingly. [No. 135, p.57]
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