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Ceremony
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Ceremony Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length release for the New York electronic pop duo was produced by Andrew Dawson and Boots.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. DIY Magazine
    Mar 11, 2020
    80
    The duo have well established their trademark sound, and sonically ‘Ceremony’ pushes this to new extremes - the synths are darker, the drums are heavier, the vocals more melancholic than anything fans would have previously heard from them, yet still catchy as hell.
  2. American Songwriter
    Mar 11, 2020
    80
    It’s a decisive step forward in their sound.
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 2, 2020
    70
    It's definitely a step back in the right direction after the last album's stumble and stacks up to be their most consistent and enjoyable record to date.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Mar 25, 2020
    68
    What made their previous work so special was their ability to encompass the listener’s consciousness, looming over uncomfortable moments and allowing them to feel gratitude for the ensuing moments of relief. Ceremony lacks that control, and instead assumes the listener wants to be dragged around this disorienting hall of funhouse mirrors without looking into a mirror themselves.
  5. Pitchfork
    Mar 11, 2020
    59
    The band sound thoroughly comfortable. ... It's a shame, then, that on their own album, Phantogram foreground their most conventional, clipped pop selves, when their quietest moments are often the loudest of all.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 11, 2020
    40
    Ceremony is one of Phantogram's weakest records, one that struggles to set itself apart in the sea of electro-pop still stuck in the aesthetics of the late 2010s.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. rashadfavors
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    After listening to their previous albums it was always one or two songs that really caught me. But this album gives me more of a variety thatAfter listening to their previous albums it was always one or two songs that really caught me. But this album gives me more of a variety that I like very much.… Expand
  2. Brockettd
    Mar 16, 2020
    9
    Hogwash.. this album is amazing, anyone saying otherwise is unequivocally wrong.
  4. javiertabares
    Apr 10, 2020
    9
    This album may take a couple of listens to appreciate. They managed in this one to showcase an evolution both sonically and production-wise.This album may take a couple of listens to appreciate. They managed in this one to showcase an evolution both sonically and production-wise. The arrangements, lyrics, and even the vocal melodies seem to have gone through a thorough composition process, and though the darkish vibe in this album may take some of their avid fans aback, it is, in my opinion, the evidence that Phantogram has reached a level of mastery at what they do and how they do it.… Expand
  5. paije_breaks
    Mar 28, 2020
    8
    This is their most approachable album yet - As their more buttoned-up / electro-pop side is certainly given the spotlight on this album. ButThis is their most approachable album yet - As their more buttoned-up / electro-pop side is certainly given the spotlight on this album. But still - Ceremony delivers on a wide scope.

    The melodic & radio-ready sound is at its peak on this project with Dear God - super clean and unvaried drums, & light pop-synths, lead by bright, repetitive vocals. Their deeper cuts are some of my favorite moments, and they really amplify their pre-established surreal and trippy sound. Take News Today & Gaunt Kids - Very eerie, whispery and distorted vocals over a hazy soundscape. Although - both of these songs felt anti-climactic - both have an interesting buildup that just leads to… nothing. With exception to Ceremony? That is a complete catastrophic, distorted, K-Hole of an experience the ending on that song is? Amazing - Amazing… Moments like this are why I have a hard time fully siding with those who say they lost their edge. This is brilliant. Call me a Stan. I’ll take it

    Really the only low moments are the tracks Pedestal & Glowing - Sarah’s voice is BEAUTIFUL - especially over the airy pianos on Glowing. I felt like they fell flat - just uninteresting overall. And I’m not saying these songs are bad - by any means - just in comparison to the other tracks - it's not at the level.

    There’s no debate that Ceremony is indeed more agreeable, has more mass appeal. However - I do like this album quite a bit - Am I blown away? No - Did they introduce a new progressive sound? No - my take is, while they continue to widen their spectrum of sound they do a good job at representing the entire spectrum. Even at their poppiest / easiest to digest songs - there is still a sense of artistry.

    8/10

    FAVORITE: CEREMONY / MISTER IMPOSSIBLE / NEWS TODAY / INTO HAPPINESS

    Or you could watch - https://youtu.be/zbfSuXMVOnk    … Expand
  6. karlheaux
    Mar 21, 2020
    7
    This album is a beautiful evolution from their past work and shows how they've managed to distill all the elements that make them great andThis album is a beautiful evolution from their past work and shows how they've managed to distill all the elements that make them great and putting it altogether to create this cohesive whole. A beautiful album with no skips and a beautiful journey through-and-through.… Expand

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