Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Oct 29, 2013
    80
    With psych bite and cosmic volume stripped away, Nielson’s brilliant, dextrous playing and addled lyrical bravery are illuminated brighter than ever.
  2. Magnet
    Dec 18, 2013
    65
    A showcase of clean, unadulterated guitar talent. [No. 105, p.59]
  3. Oct 29, 2013
    60
    While Nielson would be well-served by sticking with the colorful mess of sound the band seemingly effortlessly creates, he could go the melancholy troubadour route and make that work too. Blue Record is certainly proof of that.
  4. Oct 29, 2013
    60
    Eight months on, Unknown Mortal Orchestra return with Blue Record, a chilled acoustic EP that grooves down and quietly electrifies.
  5. Nov 1, 2013
    50
    As an EP, it’s not much to look at. But, as a quick footnote at the end of II, where it’s placed on the album’s deluxe edition, it’s a nice bonus, an insight into an artist’s process.
  6. Oct 29, 2013
    50
    Though it has its moments Blue Record is by no means a success, but it offers enough to suggest that with a bit of fine tuning Unknown Mortal Orchestra might eventually get a bit good at the old acoustic guitar game.
  7. Nov 14, 2013
    45
    The result is Schrödinger's cat: simultaneously interesting and dull until you listen to it. Then it's just a bit dull.
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Jun 2, 2015
    9
    A little gem in my music collection, these stripped back versions of tracks from the album II are exactly that, raw versions of their fullA little gem in my music collection, these stripped back versions of tracks from the album II are exactly that, raw versions of their full length album songs, and probably sound as they did shortly after being written. To me that's part of their charm, and there's no doubting the pure musical talent in the 5 tracks. The first 3 stand out for me, I rate all my music I have time to listen to, and gave the first 3 tracks 5*, the remaining 2 I gave 4* (out of 5). I would love to get a vinyl copy of this EP! I have high hopes for the future of Unknown Mortal Orchestra Full Review »