The Dream
by Alt-J
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
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  1. WAATY
    Feb 12, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand 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… Expand
  2. reck0ner
    Feb 16, 2022
    10
    The Art Desk - 100 (https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-alt-j-dream)
    Dork - 100 (https://readdork.com/albums/alt-j-the-dream/)
    Loud and Quiet - 90 (https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/alt-j-the-dream/)
    Gigwise - 80 (https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3415659/album-review--alt-j---the-dream)
  3. JSkittles
    Feb 11, 2022
    10
    Such a solid album. Cover to cover. Get Better and Chicago are golden in particular
  4. MusicGuyMack
    Feb 15, 2022
    9
    Playing like a cross between the murky, droning psychedelia of The Doors and the sparse, muted folktronica of Bon Iver, Alt-J's latest makes the most of its swirling soundscapes to craft a darkly dreamy and hypnotic listening experience that proves hauntingly beautiful in its weightless sullenness shot through with occasional sunbursts and would make both Jim Morrison and Justin VernonPlaying like a cross between the murky, droning psychedelia of The Doors and the sparse, muted folktronica of Bon Iver, Alt-J's latest makes the most of its swirling soundscapes to craft a darkly dreamy and hypnotic listening experience that proves hauntingly beautiful in its weightless sullenness shot through with occasional sunbursts and would make both Jim Morrison and Justin Vernon proud.

    Choice Cuts: "Bane," "Hard Drive Gold," "Get Better"    … Expand
  5. Halderkevin
    Feb 14, 2022
    10
    alt-J has come back in full creative force with this masterpiece of a record. It’s cool, wistful, lush, precise and well thought-out. The lyrics are weird, brilliant, and thought provoking. Everything from the writing to the instrumentals is genius. What they have created is something more than music. It’s an experience - as all true art should be. Their music is experimental. It almostalt-J has come back in full creative force with this masterpiece of a record. It’s cool, wistful, lush, precise and well thought-out. The lyrics are weird, brilliant, and thought provoking. Everything from the writing to the instrumentals is genius. What they have created is something more than music. It’s an experience - as all true art should be. Their music is experimental. It almost seems completely unrehearsed and unplanned - but in the best way. It unpredictably moves and flows and changes effortlessly - just like the title suggests - like a Dream.… Expand
  6. spacemanrecords
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    Very solid and highly entertaining listen. I simply love the incorporation of the children's choir on many songs here... Not to mention the incredible operatic singing of the line, "Philadelphia".

    The classic Alt J type harmonies are here and they are pretty as ever. The instrumentation seems to take a new direction for the band, that I truly fell in love with... The "storylines" on    Very solid and highly entertaining listen. I simply love the incorporation of the children's choir on many songs here... Not to mention the incredible operatic singing of the line, "Philadelphia".

    The classic Alt J type harmonies are here and they are pretty as ever. The instrumentation seems to take a new direction for the band, that I truly fell in love with... The "storylines" on Spotify that described each song certainly helped to immerse me in what feeling the band is going for on each track.

    While I feel that there are so many unique and admirable ideas and inspirations on this record, its biggest set back, might be a slight lack of cohesion as a whole.

    Shout out this band! I went back and listened to "RELAXER" & "This Is All" Yours again, and their whole discography still holds up so well!

    Favorite tracks are, Bane, U&ME, Philadelphia, and Walk A Mile.

    I'm Giving this a STRONG 8    … Expand
  7. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 30, 2022
    7
    The fourth studio album "The Dream" by English indie rock band alt-J is an eclectic, well-crafted and sonically flawless record with dreamy, warm, precious melodies. After a five-year break, the trio from Leeds brings together various nuances of the indie genre with a drive for perfection.

    The sheer infinite amount of instruments, sounds and ideas is difficult to grasp at first. But the    The fourth studio album "The Dream" by English indie rock band alt-J is an eclectic, well-crafted and sonically flawless record with dreamy, warm, precious melodies. After a five-year break, the trio from Leeds brings together various nuances of the indie genre with a drive for perfection.

    The sheer infinite amount of instruments, sounds and ideas is difficult to grasp at first. But the longer the album proceeds, the more you realize the style and finesse that lies dormant in this treasure. Overall, a great, wide ranging collection from a maturing band that you sometimes wish had more musical punch.

    My favorites:
    "U&ME"
    "Walk a Mile"
    "Hard Drive Gold"
    "Get Better"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 30, 2022    … Expand
  8. Mikecritic
    Feb 14, 2022
    9
    Really very extremely positively basically technically figuratively honestly great.
  9. 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", 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 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.… Expand
  10. 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 complacent and struggles to pick up its pace before finally ending. Personal favorites include: Philadelphia / U&ME / The Actor / Hard Drive Gold / Bane

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Record Collector
    Mar 23, 2022
    80
    They build their own world. Eventually you grasp its shrewdly filtered emotion and want to live there, too.
    Read full review
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Mar 7, 2022
    70
    It needs time to be savoured and reveal its full flavours, a satisfying move in a world of glib instant gratification. [Apr 2022, p.83]
  3. Under The Radar
    Mar 2, 2022
    70
    With The Dream, we see a band dig deep into themselves and mature as artists.
    Read full review
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