User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

B'lieve I'm Goin' Down
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
B'lieve I'm Goin' Down Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth full-length solo studio release for the Philadelphia-based indie rock singer was recorded in several places including Joshua Tree.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Pretty Pimpin
I woke up this mornin' Didn't recognize the man in the mirror Then I laughed, and I said, "Oh silly me, that's just me." Then I proceeded to brush... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. The A.V. Club
    Sep 25, 2015
    91
    It hews much more closely to Isaac Brock’s hallucinatory scorched-earth apocalyptic premonitions on Modest Mouse’s finest moments, and musically, it’s the purest distillation of Vile’s idiosyncratic style to date.
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 22, 2015
    84
    His lyrics have grown more sophisticated. Humor was always part of his music, but on b’lieve i’m goin down it’s an animating principle.
  3. The Quietus
    Sep 17, 2015
    80
    Although it doesn't quite live up to the greatness of Smoke Ring, it is a beautiful progression and subtle change in style and subject matter.
  4. AllMusic
    Sep 22, 2015
    80
    B'lieve I'm Goin Down... is an impeccably arranged album beneath its soothing, sleepy surface, with every element assisting in an illusion of deep, shimmering, and alluring melancholy.
  5. Q Magazine
    Oct 6, 2015
    80
    The hardest-working slacker in rock goes from strength to strength. [Nov 2015, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Paste Magazine
    Sep 28, 2015
    78
    Much of b’lieve remains mellower and more cognizant than Vile’s previous works, blending organic and inorganic sounds.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Sep 23, 2015
    60
    Some take a little while to hit their sweet spot, like the middling That’s Life, Tho (Almost Hate To Say). But when Vile hits those hazy, beautiful peaks, he reminds us that the untamed wilderness of modern Americana is still his backyard.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. mcleanap
    Sep 27, 2015
    9
    Great new album from Kurt Vile. Love the incorporation of banjo and piano. Wheelhouse is incredible and of course Pretty Pimpin kicks off theGreat new album from Kurt Vile. Love the incorporation of banjo and piano. Wheelhouse is incredible and of course Pretty Pimpin kicks off the album with a great opener. Overall, maybe the best album from Kurt Vile to date.… Expand
  2. Jacaranda23
    May 12, 2022
    9
    Love the laid back, comfortable-in-its-own-skin vibes on this album. It vacillates between truly unique, upbeat takes on Americana, andLove the laid back, comfortable-in-its-own-skin vibes on this album. It vacillates between truly unique, upbeat takes on Americana, and longing, wistful forays into the complex emotions of a self-actualized individual. But it confronts the latter in a sort of tongue-in-cheek way, giving it an almost comedic edge. Truly a masterful balance is struck! Great for listening on a rainy day.… Expand
  4. Beverlyrdgeese
    Sep 28, 2015
    7
    I really like Kurt Vile, but I wish he would go back to his rock sensibilities. Too much of this album is just insipid and boring. ThereI really like Kurt Vile, but I wish he would go back to his rock sensibilities. Too much of this album is just insipid and boring. There are some really great tracks, though. Dust Bunnies, Wheelhouse, Outlaw, and Pretty Pimpin are standouts and some of KV's best tracks to date. Solid album overall.… Expand
  5. Custom_Concerns
    Sep 30, 2015
    7
    Kurt Vile returns with his token style of folky, proggy, guitar laden rock on his latest record. B'lieve I'm Goin' Down is downright fun, inKurt Vile returns with his token style of folky, proggy, guitar laden rock on his latest record. B'lieve I'm Goin' Down is downright fun, in many senses of the word. Musically and compositionally, it is very laid back and unassuming, allowing the top-notch musicianship to take center stage. Kurt's lyrics are colorful, full of character, and work well to resonate the album's themes of just taking it easy. The songs do tend to wander a bit too much, and the album itself goes on too long for my taste, but in the end, I always enjoy B'Lieve I'm Goin' Down when it is playing.… Expand
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 22, 2021
    7
    A funny chill folksy continued departure from Kurt Viles rock sensibilities. Seemingly effortless and entertaining.
  7. nirvanafreak
    Sep 25, 2015
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: Pretty Pimpin, Dust Bunnies
    Least Favourite Songs: That's Life Tho (Almost Hate To Say)
    I don't find Kurt Vile's music to be particularly interesting, mainly because I'm just not a huge fan of modern Americana but also because some of his songs are just so laid back it borders on depressing, and I still feel the same way with this new record. It's still a good listen though and 'Pretty Pimpin' sets the record up perfectly with its almost contemplative lyrics and really catchy guitar progression. The lyrics on the album don't really hit me in the same way someone like Mark Kozelek's lyrics would but his vocal delivery throughout the album, like always, just sounds great.
    Whitest album I've heard all year.
    Will I Return To It: To a couple of tracks yeah
    Try This If You Like: War On Drugs    … Expand
  8. ohheyitssteve
    Sep 29, 2015
    6
    It reminds me of day drinking in the afternoon and passing out before the sun goes down. The energy of Pretty Pimpin' continues to slowIt reminds me of day drinking in the afternoon and passing out before the sun goes down. The energy of Pretty Pimpin' continues to slow throughout the album to an eventual drawn out weariness in the latter half. Fans of Vile's earlier work on Wakin' on a Pretty Daze will probably be satisfied, but casual listeners may feel burnt out by some of the longer, sedated tracks.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Album of 2015
49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2015

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »