Fetch the Bolt Cutters
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Fetch the Bolt Cutters Image
Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1383 Ratings

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  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the alternative singer-songwriter was self-produced and features contributions from Davíd Garza, Sebastian Steinberg, and Amy Aileen Wood.
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  • Record Label: Epic
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Slant Magazine
    Apr 22, 2020
    100
    On a purely musical level, it’s a bold experiment in pop craft, a collection of songs on which Apple stretches her talents in adventurous new directions. ... Fetch the Bolt Cutters is Apple’s most timely—and timeless—effort yet.
  2. The Guardian
    Apr 17, 2020
    100
    The result is that this seems not so much an album as a sudden glorious eruption; after eight long years, an urgent desire to be heard.
  3. The New York Times
    Apr 17, 2020
    100
    “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” is daring in a new way, scrambling and shattering the pop-song structures that once grounded her. ... I am floored by this record. I hear freedom, too. These songs make some breathtaking hairpin turns. ... It’s not just the wild craftsmanship of each song. It’s also that she’s fearless about what she’s doing: with sounds, with structures, with people’s expectations.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 17, 2020
    90
    The result of Apple’s self-imposed social distancing is the stunning intimacy of the material here — a rich text to scour in quarantine. Her idiosyncratic song structures, full of sudden stops and lurching tempo changes, adhere to logic only she could explain, which forces you to listen as attentively as though a dear friend were bending your ear.
  5. Uncut
    May 22, 2020
    90
    Fetch The Bolt Cutters is mostly the soundtrack of liberation, not recrimination, with Apple's piano keys, battering on the walls and barking dogs as its percussive, beating heart. [Jul 2020, p.27]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. AllMusic
    Apr 23, 2020
    90
    Rage sits alongside heartache and humor, the shifts in mood occurring with a dramatic flair and a disarming playfulness. The unpredictable nature feels complex and profoundly human, resulting in an album that's nourishing and joyfully cathartic.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 17, 2020
    80
    This time there’s a more untamed fierceness in Apple’s voice, as she relays tales of feminism, abusive partners, the sacrifices of love and the dinner parties she won’t be quiet at. Unrefined sounds recorded in her LA home make for a visceral listening experience.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 355
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 355
  3. Negative: 70 out of 355
  1. Willduffy
    Oct 15, 2020
    10
    I honestly thought it was lame on first listen. But after a few more listens and searching up the meaning behind all of the songs and howI honestly thought it was lame on first listen. But after a few more listens and searching up the meaning behind all of the songs and how Fiona made them, I realised I've never been more wrong in my life. This album is creative, unique, incredible and just mind blowing. One of the best albums I've ever heard and without a doubt the best of 2020 (so far, although I doubt this will be topped). I do not have any favourites, all of the songs are great.… Expand
  2. yaboirolex
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    This is such a huge statement as an album. The lyrics are brilliant, incredible instrumental, incredible production, incredible everything. ItThis is such a huge statement as an album. The lyrics are brilliant, incredible instrumental, incredible production, incredible everything. It feels almost like a new statement for music in general, it got too much going on and everything just works incredibly well, nothing like it. It feels like a huge fresh air of a completely original, innovative and refined masterpiece.… Expand
  4. LISANDRO3105
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    Ha sido un larga espera desde su último álbum, pero definitivamente valió la pena.
    Fiona ha madurado en su producción, su composición, sus    Ha sido un larga espera desde su último álbum, pero definitivamente valió la pena.
    Fiona ha madurado en su producción, su composición, sus letras y, por sobre todo, en el uso (y abuso) de su increíble voz.
    Entiendo que algunos puedan valorar este disco con una puntuación de 6 o 7 puntos, para mí definitivamente es un 10. Lo que realmente es inentendible es quien puntúa con 0, 1 o 2. Realmente merece dejar de lado esas puntuaciones para obtener el promedio sin distorsiones.    … Expand
  5. Musicfreak
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    No one could make an album like this except Fiona Apple, it’s art rock meets jazz with a little hip hop. A very unique and experimental pieceNo one could make an album like this except Fiona Apple, it’s art rock meets jazz with a little hip hop. A very unique and experimental piece of art. It’s good to see her having a breakthrough again.… Expand
  6. thepowerout_
    Apr 23, 2020
    10
    Because so many reviewers have called out all the strengths of this release, I thought it would be fun to go through some of the more asinineBecause so many reviewers have called out all the strengths of this release, I thought it would be fun to go through some of the more asinine and truly senseless "reviews", since there really are so many that display what makes this album one of the strongest of the year so far--

    The majority of "0-1" scores are accounts who signed up solely to give this album that obscenely low rating for someone who sings without autotune and masterfully plays their own instrumentation. At the very least, that calls for a 3 if using sound judgement.

    Putsman - Rating: 1 (no other reviews) - "Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to listen to again after one go." So you willfully admit to listening to it once (and 95% sure you skimmed). Nice. Thanks for typing that out.

    ravenvenom - Rating: 1 - "Original, that’s for sure." "Don’t mistake originality for genius." Originality gets a 1, that makes sense, totally. But dont worry, they gave the past three Madonna releases all 10's. So they definitely have an understanding of both originality and "genius."

    JesseBarre - Rating: 0 - "feminist anthems that act as if women who willingly utilize their sexuality to get ahead & become plutocrats in Beverly Hills who have the ability to destroy any man they wants lives with a single tweet." This drama queen sounds like he had a bad relationship once. But Jesse gives Big Sean a 10 due to "quirky wordplay." k!

    liscarta - Rating: 0 (no other reviews) - "It sounds like a podcast." Can you recommend some to me? Those sound dope.    … Expand
  7. necafa
    Apr 17, 2020
    7
    Creative, cheerful, it has a sound unit, but it is not a masterpiece. I liked the way it was recorded, the improvisations, the lyrics aboutCreative, cheerful, it has a sound unit, but it is not a masterpiece. I liked the way it was recorded, the improvisations, the lyrics about everyday life. The final product is simply good. Björk has already done better jobs.… Expand
  8. SantanaBerry
    Sep 26, 2020
    0
    I'm sorry, but this album seems so confusing. It probably be a pure work of art, but only for a art museum. People can't enjoy this kind ofI'm sorry, but this album seems so confusing. It probably be a pure work of art, but only for a art museum. People can't enjoy this kind of things at any situation.… Expand

See all 355 User Reviews

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1
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18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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