The Dream
by Alt-J
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Uncut
    Feb 9, 2022
    60
    If a few concessions are made to mainstream mores here, it still works on its own idiosyncratic terms. [Mar 2022, p.25]
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Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2022

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. WAATY
    Feb 12, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Still funky. Still dark. Still genere-bendingly innovative. Perhaps more hopeful. Definitely a bit more fun. For better or worse, it is also the most "American" of their albums in its themes and in the nostalgia it invokes. After all, what's more American than dueling songs about Cocaine and Coca-Cola? Overall, a great return to form after the occasional drudge at the back end of RELAXER. The primary misstep here is Philadelphia. I'm all for occasionally incorporating baroque opera's contrapuntal precision and florid style into modern music, but it's done in a tacky "Bond Theme" kind of way. Some might also argue that Walk a Mile is a bit long or aimless, but it's filled with soul and deft melodic variations. Sit back and enjoy it. For returning fans, I'd recommend adjusting your palate with Happier When You're Gone, a big-hearted blend of old and new. For new fans, welcome to the weird, lush, and wonderful world of Alt-J. This is a great place to start. 8.5/10… Full Review »
  2. Luffy1503
    May 22, 2022
    7
    Alt-J's latest album 'The Dream' makes for an enjoyable, easy listen, but towards to the back half of the album becomes a lil to complacentAlt-J's latest album 'The Dream' makes for an enjoyable, easy listen, but towards to the back half of the album becomes a lil to complacent and struggles to pick up its pace before finally ending. Personal favorites include: Philadelphia / U&ME / The Actor / Hard Drive Gold / Bane… Full Review »
  3. alezf
    Apr 25, 2022
    7
    Big step up from RELAXER, this album is full of surprised. From the hypnotic opener, "Bane", to the dreamy, synth-heavy "The Actor", thisBig step up from RELAXER, this album is full of surprised. From the hypnotic opener, "Bane", to the dreamy, synth-heavy "The Actor", this album develops Alt-J's sound even further than what was first thought. The teasers were all from the first half of the album, which is easily the more accessible half of The Dream, but then as we dive into the last half of the LP - we realise that this is the more abstract side - in other words, the backbone of this album. With dreary, long songs to classic alt-j interludes (such as "Delta"), this album is one of alt-j's finest records since 2014.… Full Review »
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