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Fragments
by
Fragments Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: The seventh full-length release for British electronic artist Simon Green as Bonobo features guest appearances from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Kadhja Bonet, Joji, O’Flynn, Jordan Rakei, and Jamila Woods.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 18, 2022
    100
    With less dissonance and psychedelic experimentation than Jon Hopkins or Four Tet, Fragments may be too care-home comfort for some, but it’s brilliant, wondrous work.
  2. Exclaim
    Jan 13, 2022
    90
    He remains unchallenged when it comes to his ability to create organic sound that is at once full-bodied, warm, and filled with textures from around the world. Bonobo's growth, too, across the past two decades has seen a natural and consistent progression; each record building beautifully on the last. Fragments is no exception.
  3. Clash Music
    Jan 11, 2022
    80
    A work of subtle evolution, it’s a record that rewards repeated listens, with patience allowing these fresh elements to rise to the surface on an album that underlines Bonobo’s role as one of UK electronic music’s most consistent, and pervasive voices.
  4. AllMusic
    Jan 13, 2022
    70
    His productions are just the right balance of lush and gritty, blending rich string arrangements by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and lovely harp playing by Lara Somogyi with modular synth swells and soulful organs.
  5. Under The Radar
    Jan 25, 2022
    70
    A reflection of its creator’s state of mind, Fragments is the perfect soundtrack to re-entry into normalcy after an extended stressful period.
  6. DIY Magazine
    Jan 12, 2022
    60
    With ‘Fragments’, Bonobo is as listenable as ever. But this locked groove is one he seems too comfortable in. Once you hear where he can go, there’s a frustrating desire to see him latch on to that fragment of himself rather than the familiar.
  7. musicOMH.com
    Jan 13, 2022
    50
    Fragments does not outstay its welcome, but only because it isn’t distinctive enough to be consciously welcomed in the first place. Recommended for owners of trendy cafes and companies in need of hold music.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. After_peep08
    Mar 4, 2023
    9
    the feat with joji is the best song on the album, i also loved tides, it's a really good album
  2. sshpv
    Jan 14, 2022
    8
    Signature Bonobo sound, familiar from the first seconds you hear it.
    He’s playing safe and does what he known best for: masterful blending of    Signature Bonobo sound, familiar from the first seconds you hear it.
    He’s playing safe and does what he known best for: masterful blending of warm dancy electronic with some ethnic and vocal pieces. Jordan Rakei track is especially beautiful.
    Solid 8/10    … Expand
  4. spacemanrecords
    Jan 22, 2022
    7
    I've been a huge Bonobo fan since 2013, when I found myself at one of his DJ sets. I fell in love with his very unique sound, using bassI've been a huge Bonobo fan since 2013, when I found myself at one of his DJ sets. I fell in love with his very unique sound, using bass influenced grooves and melodies to drive the feeling of his music...

    While I do find this project to be playing it on the safe side a bit, Fragments does not disappoint. The features on this album are like if Simon asked me, "Who do you want to hear over my production?" Jamila Woods, Jordan Rakei, and Joji, all mesh so perfectly with his style and their voices blend nicely into the rest of the mix.

    The grooves on this album, while not overly experimental or groundbreaking, leave a lot to be discovered upon further listens of the project.

    I'm giving it a strong 7 to light 8    … Expand
  5. Menios
    Jan 14, 2022
    6
    Bonobo is not re-inventing the wheel here but he's doing what he does best: creating atmospherical music, somewhere between Downtempo and Deep House.
  6. swiftexileee
    Jan 25, 2022
    6
    Honestly I am not a fan of EDM albums with no lyrical contents. And Fragments is one of those album. I love the production but can't reallyHonestly I am not a fan of EDM albums with no lyrical contents. And Fragments is one of those album. I love the production but can't really grasp every single tracks especially those with no lyrics.… Expand
  7. aukalender
    Sep 28, 2022
    6
    Bonobo has streamlined his sound over the years, and made it more uptempo. He moved towards mainstream, safe EDM and electronic. However, IBonobo has streamlined his sound over the years, and made it more uptempo. He moved towards mainstream, safe EDM and electronic. However, I always thought his music was special for the use of different tempos throughout an album, as well as different, exotic, dare I say magical instruments. Ultimately, this album is a culmination of his progression towards less exotic, more mainstream, if still sensible, EDM bangers. Make no mistake, some songs here ARE the kind of bangers you want to here in a concert with too much alcohol in your system, but less special for it. The texture of albums like Animal Magic, Days to Come or Black Sands is, sadly, all but gone.… Expand