Ceremony
by Phantogram
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2020
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. 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. 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 hasThis 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
  2. 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. 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    This 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
  3. Brockettd
    Mar 16, 2020
    9
    Hogwash.. this album is amazing, anyone saying otherwise is unequivocally wrong.
  4. 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 and putting it altogether to create this cohesive whole. A beautiful album with no skips and a beautiful journey through-and-through.
  5. 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 that I like very much.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
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  3. 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.
    Read full review
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