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Could It Be Different? Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the third full-length release for the Scottish indie-pop quartet.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Feb 12, 2018
    90
    An early contender for album of the year.
  2. 85
    Could It Be Different? carries on exactly where they left off. In their songwriting, The Spook School have always merged transformational politics with an anthemic quality, and the LP's opener is no exception.
  3. Jan 22, 2018
    80
    The Glasgow-based quartet back it up with brilliantly catchy and inventive songs that will ensure a smile and a toe-tap while making their audience think.
  4. Feb 5, 2018
    80
    There’s insecurity, certainly; self-reflection, yes; but more than that there’s resilience, romance, strength, sensuality and an album full of lurching, longing, lustrous pop songs.
  5. Jan 24, 2018
    75
    Here, the band tell tales of abuse and alienation with a self-assurance that transforms dark subject matters into infectious indie pop numbers.
  6. Feb 14, 2018
    70
    But outside of their reminiscences about troubled adolescence, which sometimes provide a gratingly innocent tone, How Could it Be Any Different? is otherwise brimful with lighthearted, yet meaningful songs that could actually make a difference.
  7. Jan 29, 2018
    68
    Perhaps they figured dark times call for bright music, but this overly polished record often feels like a missed opportunity.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of