User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Blue Weekend
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Blue Weekend Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 298 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the British rock band was produced by Markus Dravs.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. DIY Magazine
    Jun 2, 2021
    100
    ‘Blue Weekend’ is an album that revels in its feelings. The dynamics are constantly shifting, often moving from tender sparsity to luxurious sonic opulence in the same song, but everything feels like the absolute peak of what it could be.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Jun 3, 2021
    100
    As with Visions, this third album sees the band hopping between styles – folk, garage rock and shoegaze – only now they’re steering deeper into the corners and controlling the skids.
  3. musicOMH.com
    Jun 7, 2021
    100
    Blue Weekend is Wolf Alice’s best work yet – a confident, euphoric, blistering 40 minutes that’s guaranteed to be on many people’s ‘best of’ lists at the end of the year.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 2, 2021
    90
    Truly establishing themselves as the bright possibilites of guitar music, and blurring lines along with setting new ones out, ultimately with Blue Weekend, Wolf Alice continue to be the very essence of what is to be a band while also remaining - more importantly - human.
  5. Uncut
    Jun 18, 2021
    80
    Blue Weekend is a collection of songs that immediately dazzle, with a relentless array of strong hooks, nestled within a sea of diverse sonic colours. [Aug 2021, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 7, 2021
    80
    Arcade Fire producer Markus Dravs brings depth and heft, whether spotlighting each player or drowning everything in a deluge of guitars. Singer Ellie Rowsell steps up with some wonderfully shapeshifting vocals.
  7. No Ripcord
    Jun 7, 2021
    70
    Roswell continues to grow as a versatile performer, channeling her pop impulses with gusto—whether she embraces Abba-esque harmonies with a country lilt (Safe from Heartbreak), brings bright, celestial touches to synthy mid-tempo ballads (How Can I Make it OK), or howls her way through speedy punk rock (Feeling Myself.) And though everything doesn't fall into place, she does inject her unique personality into whatever style she chooses.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 83
  3. Negative: 2 out of 83
  1. ftb1777
    Jun 5, 2021
    10
    This band only gets better, Ellie's voice is captivating and lovely....Best album of this and the last two years!!
  2. lucyrose
    Jun 6, 2021
    10
    Creating an album in this era is different to how it has ever been before. With streaming and digital music being the most common way music isCreating an album in this era is different to how it has ever been before. With streaming and digital music being the most common way music is consumed, and the ever-growing popularity of mixed playlists, an album needs to contain the elements in it that make it a work of art as a whole, a journey that satisfies the listener from the beginning until the end. The themes Wolf Alice portray in Blue Weekend are relevant, thought-provoking, and relatable which has allowed the album to achieve that gold level of story-telling. The moments of delicate wistfulness in Delicious Things and Feeling Myself, to the real angst and ferocity in Smile and Play the Greatest Hits, has cemented the unique ‘Wolf Alice’ sound. It is bold, its brave, and it works. The days since the release have seen it admired by both fans and critiques, with it currently being the highest rated album of the 2021 so far. This is hardly surprising given the dedication and skill that has gone into making it, and it is likely this will see them grow in popularity across the globe. Wolf Alice deserve all the respect they have gained from this album – it’s a modern masterpiece.… Expand
  4. circularemu
    Jun 8, 2021
    10
    I can't comprehend how incredible this album is, a masterpiece of a band at the height of their power. Cohesive, emotive, nuanced, and bestI can't comprehend how incredible this album is, a masterpiece of a band at the height of their power. Cohesive, emotive, nuanced, and best played loud in this unusual time. Rock will never die.… Expand
  5. AllysonCamara
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Album of the year, this is a gift that Wolf Alice gave to us in 2021. With this album, the band is establishing itself as one of the biggestAlbum of the year, this is a gift that Wolf Alice gave to us in 2021. With this album, the band is establishing itself as one of the biggest alternative rock bands today.… Expand
  6. Jesusddiaz
    Jun 5, 2021
    10
    this is magnificent, aoty, no doubt
    form top to bottom, what an impeccable album
  7. Ricko
    Jul 12, 2021
    9
    Blue Weekend is my introduction to Wolf Alice and I have to say I'm pretty impressed. This album has been very well thought through and IBlue Weekend is my introduction to Wolf Alice and I have to say I'm pretty impressed. This album has been very well thought through and I suppose what stands out as much as anything is the aestethic the band have produced here. For sure there are some solid songs here - most are excellent and there isn't one I would class as weak, but the overall album works better together than any of the particular songs. "Lipstick On The Glass" reminds me of what Fleetwood Mac might sound like if they are doing "Rumours" these days. Contemporaries, "Haim" are a bit of an influence (especially on the vocals) at times as well but "Wolf Alice" are a far darker brand of pop. They throw their hat into a few different genres here and are never afraid to try out ideas. It's always interesting and is well paced. "Blue Weekend" is an apt title, the album is a mix of moods, the elation and the comedown, the rush and the drama. Wolf Alice have converted me here and there is every chance that with time this album will go further up in my estimation.… Expand
  8. TBall
    Jun 19, 2021
    0
    I must be getting old. 94 average score? Will appear on many best album lists? Lyrically pretentious, all simpering sincerity and one of theI must be getting old. 94 average score? Will appear on many best album lists? Lyrically pretentious, all simpering sincerity and one of the most annoying voices that I've heard in a while. I listened to four songs and it was torturous. I'll pass.
    Seriously, I'm the only one who didn't like, make that, love this? 90% 10's? Curious.    … Expand

See all 83 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2021, Music

    The 40 Best Albums of 2021

    The 40 Best Albums of 2021 Image
    Published: December 23, 2021
    We reveal 2021's best-reviewed albums, ranked by Metascore.
    More »
  2. Best of 2021, Music

    The 20 Best Albums of 2021 So Far

    The 20 Best Albums of 2021 So Far Image
    Published: June 30, 2021
    Here are the best-reviewed albums released during the first half of 2021.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Album of 2021
25
#25 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Tim: Let it Bleed Edition [Box Set] - The Replacements
97 Picture of Bunny Rabbit - Arthur Russell
95 Fountain Baby - Amaarae
95 Fly or Die Fly or Die Fly or Die (world war) - Jaimie Branch
95 Smash: The Singles 1985-2020 [Box Set] - Pet Shop Boys
93 Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy - John Coltrane
91 The Greater Wings - Julie Byrne
91 Black Rainbows - Corinne Bailey Rae
91 Guts - Olivia Rodrigo
90 The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We - Mitski
90 the record - boygenius
90 Maps - billy woods
89 That! Feels Good! - Jessie Ware
89 Rat Saw God - Wednesday
89 Valley of Heart's Delight - Margo Cilker
89 Chrome Dreams - Neil Young
89 Blómi - Susanne Sundfør
89 I Am Not There Anymore - The Clientele
88 The Complete Dirty South - Drive-By Truckers
88 Wait Til I Get Over - Durand Jones
All Current Music »