Fatigue
by L'Rain
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. AllMusic
    Jul 2, 2021
    90
    At just under half an hour, the album's running time is relatively brief, but it feels like it encompasses Cheek's entire life so far, and it's a uniquely powerful expression of her uncompromising vision.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Dec 20, 2021
    87
    It’s a breathtaking, immersive, often mournful exploration of the fundamentally transformative, ever-changing nature of feeling.
  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 29, 2021
    85
    It’s a graceful record. ... Cheek and co-producer Andrew Lappin’s work is painterly and methodical, daubing vocal loops over clattering percussion, sweeping strings, and resonant synths to create a shapeshifting strain of experimental pop.
  5. The Wire
    Jul 28, 2021
    80
    With co-producer Andrew Lappin and an army of 20 musicians who contributed to various tracks in tow, she has produced a record that flexes its knowing complexity and retains a sense of experimental pop curiosity throughout. [Aug 2021, p.59]
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  6. Resident Advisor
    Jul 8, 2021
    80
    Cheek's vocals are versatile, often soaring into her upper register, then trickling into lower notes. Much of the lyrics across the album are a challenge to make out, but it's a delight to pull scattered meaning out of the obscurity.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 29, 2021
    80
    Each element of Fatigue has its importance, distinguishing itself also by the prowess of some great and varied highlights.
  8. The Quietus
    Jun 29, 2021
    80
    Fatigue deserves to be listened to in succession. It needs you to sit down with a cup of tea, it needs to be envisioned and thought through. You need to let it embody a change for you, and take you somewhere else, where you can sit in the duality of your own emotions. Each song is preceded by an interlude to piece the emotions of each track together.
  9. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 29, 2021
    65
    Fatigue, for all its many-sided intrigue and snatches of moving beauty, can be a bit like driving by a series of natural wonders at 150mph – too fast to truly appreciate what’s there. There’s a purposely otherworldly vibe to these 29 minutes, but the moments when Cheek the artist is most nakedly visible in the constellation are when Fatigue feels most successful.

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. MusicNerdViking
    Jul 7, 2021
    10
    Oh. My. God. This is amazing! I don't know where to start! The atmosphere on this album is fantastic; it's both calm and comforting but alsoOh. My. God. This is amazing! I don't know where to start! The atmosphere on this album is fantastic; it's both calm and comforting but also sinister and terrifying; an example of this is the song "Kill Self." That song has just this vibe that feels so claustrophobic yet thrilling all at the same time. The nature of all of the songs is unapologetically experimental and slaps the listener across their face multiple times throughout the album. The production and mixing, although rough and experimental, are pristine and well-crafted. The songs are all perfect, but the interludes, however, are not-so-note-worthy other than that they serve as a small introduction to how a song's atmosphere is going to sound. Overall, this was a wildly experimental and fantastic experience that I most likely won't forget any time soon.

    Overall score: 10/10
    Favorite tracks: (every single song)
    Least favorite tracks: (every interlude, I guess)    … Full Review »
  2. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    To feel tired can be caused by many varying things but will come down to two forms: physical&emotional. This record addresses the latter withTo feel tired can be caused by many varying things but will come down to two forms: physical&emotional. This record addresses the latter with extreme focus. From the grand opener "fly,die" which unlike most of her songs which bypass the use of lyrics to narrate a narrative . In this lush opener she remunerates on hate and it's power as imagery of kisses and hate are set in between "Quinton Blackwell " samples about change. The second track(also my favourite track)"Find it" debates depression over past trauma in stellar vocals and emotive lyrics.
    The many mundane monuments on the album imbue it with a subtle power and relatablity. The album discusses blackness, love& fear. Stellar release.    … Full Review »
  3. Blentz499
    Dec 9, 2021
    10
    An avant garde journey that has no discernable destination. You never know where the album is gonna turn next. My personal album of the yearAn avant garde journey that has no discernable destination. You never know where the album is gonna turn next. My personal album of the year in a year where there are a lot of strong contenders from newcomers to seasoned and established artists… Full Review »
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