Dystopia
by Midnight Juggernauts
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Prefix Magazine
    85
    With its out-of-this-world visions and lines like “Floating off the edge of the ocean/Out into the galaxy,” Dystopia gives listeners the urge to escape to distant lands.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Their songwriting and vocals are actually better than Air, closer to Scissor Sisters again in their ability to write great pop songs and deliver them with flair.
  3. Lost At Sea
    80
    The prospect of Midnight Juggernauts completely reviving the new wave scene is a long shot (perhaps thankfully so), but the trio has gone a long way toward proving that, when only the best parts are culled, the fairly dead genres of yore can, when bolstered by modern sounds, result in something beautiful and memorable.
  5. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Take one listen to the title track, accept that it's the greatest pure pop single of the year and everything you wanted from the Klaxons and didn't get, and you'll be seduced into wanting to believe that Midnight Juggernauts know what they're doing.
  6. Urb
    80
    Sure, a couple of songs may seem to end a bit abruptly, but most of the opportunities you want them to take--they take.
  7. The New York Times
    80
    Cosmically synthetic, subversively euphoric: such are the attributes of Midnight Juggernauts, a three-piece band from Melbourne, Australia. Dystopia, the group’s first full-length album, advances the same mishmash of glam rock, disco and electro pop that won the endorsement of Justice.
  8. Los Angeles Times
    63
    If Dystopia lacks the sophisticated subtleties of stuff by Daft Punk, the music successfully distracts you from its absence with huge hooks and driving beats that make subtlety seem like a bourgeois contrivance.
  9. Spin
    60
    Once the annoying vocoder-rock of 'Tombstone' kicks in, you remember that alll dystopias start out with the best intentions. [June 2008, p.114]
  10. NOW Magazine
    60
    There is a fair amount of Bowie-esque schmaltz in Vincenzi Vendetta’s vocals, which make Dystopia a little harder to swallow than its instantly catchy cousin, Cut Copy’s "In Ghost Colours."
  11. Under The Radar
    60
    Dystopia leaves you wanting more. [Summer 2008, p.94]
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  12. Pitchfork
    51
    The kicker is that, without their live/electronic shtick to distinguish them, Midnight Juggernauts don't seem to be anything other than gifted mimics.
  13. PopMatters
    50
    It’s not all bad--the production’s tight and technically impressive, and the sonic landscape of the album full and enveloping. But when played through multiple times, Dystopia isn’t really exciting.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. JerD.
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    One of the best records of the year. They're basically ELO for the new generation. Other Austrailan artists with superb new albums such One of the best records of the year. They're basically ELO for the new generation. Other Austrailan artists with superb new albums such as Pedulum, The Presets, and Cut Copy have me thinking the down under won't be held down for much longer.… Full Review »
  2. MikeL.
    Aug 16, 2008
    10
    Listen to the entire album and you'll wake up thinking you've been in a different world the entire time.
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