Coming Up for Air
by Kodaline
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2015
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
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  1. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 9, 2015
    70
    Some of their critics will remain unmoved, but the fact remains: Kodaline have acquired confidence in their abilities and are on top form throughout their second LP.
  2. Q Magazine
    Feb 9, 2015
    60
    It's bigger and brighter. [Mar 2015, p.119]
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  3. The Guardian
    Feb 9, 2015
    60
    Their songs are still almost mathematically placed between Coldplay and Snow Patrol, with a smidgeon of U2 and the sort of big choruses and bells-and-whistles-and-choirboys production once trademarked by Westlife.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Feb 9, 2015
    60
    There are numerous highlights on Coming Up For Air to ensure success in sales and chart placings and that is, of course, the dream for any aspiring act: fame and fortune. But it comes at a cost as the charm and character of their early guise is being tempered.
  6. AllMusic
    Mar 27, 2015
    40
    It feels as if this is as calm as a placid lake. Sometimes, the record is as pretty as that, too, a nice, polite collection of adult alternative pop designed for young girls and their moms.
  7. DIY Magazine
    Feb 9, 2015
    40
    There are moments on Coming Up For Air that lay claim to a genuine force, the kind who’ve earned their Chris Martin-endorsed stripes. They’re yet to truly claim their own territory, though, and any attempts to reinvent the wheel fall flat with an almighty thud
  8. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 9, 2015
    20
    Steve Garrigan’s voice strains with sincerity in perfect imitation of Chris Martin. Less forgivable, though, is the way they emulate and surpass the lyrical cliches of their source material.

User Reviews

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User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 49
  3. Negative: 28 out of 49
  1. WolfLambert
    Nov 25, 2016
    3
    This just isn't good. At all. Human Again and Play the Game are fine songs, but that's where it ends. The rest can mostly be classified asThis just isn't good. At all. Human Again and Play the Game are fine songs, but that's where it ends. The rest can mostly be classified as throwaway, soulless stadium rock that fails to capture any sort of emotion beyond "I love you", "I miss you" and "I feel lonely in this dark, scary world". I enjoyed In a Perfect World quite a bit, even though critics seemed to unanimously call it a Coldplay ripoff, but this new record makes it all the more apparent that the band want to make music that is exactly that; a poor man's Coldplay. Songs like The One make me cringe.

    Don't check this out. Instead, dig into Kodaline's earlier discography. There are a few gems you might stumble upon (only to be disappointed later, because instead of pursuing that direction, the band decided to sell out).    … Full Review »
  2. Hackskeptic
    May 28, 2015
    4
    Second album from the Coldplay endorsed wannabe’s. Indeed, singer Steve Garrigan’s mix of falsetto and alto shows just how desperate he is toSecond album from the Coldplay endorsed wannabe’s. Indeed, singer Steve Garrigan’s mix of falsetto and alto shows just how desperate he is to be Chris Martin when he grows up, and his band are doing their best to reach that plateau of complete bland-out simplicity. May stake a claim to be as crucial as other Irish groups like The Script, Westlife and Boyzone.… Full Review »
  3. Carshots
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    Best album ever in human history, I know some would say it's slow and boring but, I'll ask you to pay attention to the lyrics, those beautiful lyrics
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