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Freedom Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for Damon McMahon features contributions from Delicate Steve, Parker Kindred, Gus Seyffert , Jordi Wheeler,  Nick Zinner and was produced by Chris Coady.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. 100
    Really, this is a piece of work to dive into and consume whole.
  2. Mar 29, 2018
    90
    McMahon’s most transcendent statement yet. ... Freedom rings as both immediate and timeless, intensely personal and easily understood. ... Freedom exalts in subtlety. It offers powerfully economical songwriting.
  3. Apr 2, 2018
    90
    McMahon's most deeply personal work to date.
  4. Mojo
    Mar 29, 2018
    80
    Dracula simmers like The War On Drugs, and Calling Paul The Suffering has Latino touches, while Blue Rose dresses Greenwich Village rock in Fleetwood Mac silk. [May 2018, p.96]
  5. Apr 5, 2018
    80
    An enormous leap forward, Freedom finds Amen Dunes grappling with his abilities, with the passing of the time; a superb record, it’s one that deserves the widest possible audience.
  6. Mar 30, 2018
    80
    It all makes Freedom McMahon's richest album yet, as well as his most accessible--as the sound and scope of his music grows, so does its humanity.
  7. 60
    McMahon follows up Love with Freedom, tackling troubled masculinity through a series of character studies and a mesmerising, still psych-indebted sound that has fleshed out even further.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Dec 1, 2018
    10
    Favorite Album of the Year. Please take the journey through the whole album.
  2. Jun 5, 2018
    9
    ____11 rhythmic compositions in the style of psychedelic indie-rock, as like sunbeams, glare and shimmer with different colors and moods. The____11 rhythmic compositions in the style of psychedelic indie-rock, as like sunbeams, glare and shimmer with different colors and moods. The album carries some special feeling of peace and tranquility, carries it into a world where reality and fantasies blend into one. Damon's emotional vibrato tells us stories about childhood, about family, about real characters and fictional, while making this album deeply personal, but absolutely understandable to everyone.
    :
    ____ Sincere, emotional and clear.
    "Freedom" is an album that was let through by oneself, in order to give to others.
    It is recommended from the heart.
    Expand
  3. Apr 1, 2018
    9
    My favorite album of the year so far. I can feel the vulnerability in his trembling voice. Such an easy listening with beautiful melodies and,My favorite album of the year so far. I can feel the vulnerability in his trembling voice. Such an easy listening with beautiful melodies and, at the same time, very deep lyrics. Expand
  4. Nov 7, 2018
    9
    There is a complexity to the songs on this album that demands repeat listens. The pulse, unusual, but affecting vocals and contrastingThere is a complexity to the songs on this album that demands repeat listens. The pulse, unusual, but affecting vocals and contrasting melodies work together for a vibrant mix. It gets lumped in with psychedelic rock, but I don't think this music is so easily classified. Definitely near the top of my list this year. Expand
  5. May 13, 2018
    8
    Amen Dunes has developed a sound on 'Freedom' that is gentle on the ears but heavy on the heart. It tumbles through difficult topics withAmen Dunes has developed a sound on 'Freedom' that is gentle on the ears but heavy on the heart. It tumbles through difficult topics with self-doubt and an unmatched intimacy. Expand
  6. Oct 24, 2018
    7
    "Freedom" is a decent listen with plenty to appreciate in terms of how it is structured and generally composed. It lacks truly memorable"Freedom" is a decent listen with plenty to appreciate in terms of how it is structured and generally composed. It lacks truly memorable moments but equally has no real bad tracks either. It's kind of like a quirky David Gray Expand
  7. Nov 20, 2021
    7
    Amen takes an empathetic look at fatherhood ,masculinity and time giving a measured critique on how those experiences shaped him. TheAmen takes an empathetic look at fatherhood ,masculinity and time giving a measured critique on how those experiences shaped him. The humanizing of idols is inadvertently committed on the "Miki Dora " which uses an often romanticized surfer who's toxic masculinity manifested in bigotry and unpleasantness of a bygone era. The most immediate track "calling Paul the suffering " is the most personal looking at his neglect. The emotional centerpiece "believe " is a slow burn that rewards repeat listens. All in all an outstanding sequel to his debut. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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