Freedom
by Refused
  • Record Label: Epitaph
  • Release Date: Jun 30, 2015
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
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  1. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 30, 2015
    40
    Loaded with fake anthems and wholly failing to capture the anarchistic musical charisma of past work, Freedom is a worst-case scenario. Refused was better off dead.
  2. Mojo
    Jul 28, 2015
    60
    A leaner, more radio-friendly effort. [Sep 2015, p.86]
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  3. Spin
    Jul 1, 2015
    60
    Occasional static aside, it seems Refused are really making good on their long-stated goal to take the airwaves back, or at least vibrating a little closer to the right frequency.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 30, 2015
    60
    Although Freedom isn’t the return fans were hoping for, there’s enough experimentation here to at least remind old fans of what made them adore the band in the first place.
  6. PopMatters
    Jun 30, 2015
    60
    While crossover potential is huge with their more conventional, contemporary sound, Freedom is doomed to connect on a far more limited level than their early triumphs, especially with the genre’s diehards.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Jun 30, 2015
    50
    It's too bad the songwriting doesn't match the ambition.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Jun 30, 2015
    42
    Freedom never seems to settle on a single direction, but it’s hard to say whether that’s good or bad.... But it’s when Refused attempts to sound modern--through ultra-slick production tricks and modern sonic collage--that the album truly falters.
  9. Pitchfork
    Jun 25, 2015
    54
    It's unclear from this album what they came back to accomplish.
  10. The 405
    Jun 24, 2015
    50
    Freedom is nothing more than an exercise in competent stadium rock.
  11. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 24, 2015
    45
    This is not a terrible record, just a bland and misguided one.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. boofaloben
    Jul 3, 2015
    6
    I am a giant fan of all of Refused previous work, That being said this album is a giant disappointment. The magic that they were able toI am a giant fan of all of Refused previous work, That being said this album is a giant disappointment. The magic that they were able to capture with Shape of Punk to Come is replaced with mostly over produced alt rock hip hop spoken word noise. At least 3/4 of this album is nearly un-listenable. With that being said the stand out tracks that actually sound like the refused on this album are Dawkins Christ and Destroy the man. Over all severely lacking...… Full Review »
  2. Alltorn-N56
    Dec 6, 2020
    8
    Sensational fresh and with interesting vocals and solid percussion work it feels new but keeps the punk spirit.
  3. thesupremekai
    Jul 4, 2015
    1
    The Refused are **** dead. They did their former guitarist Jon Brännström a favor by firing him. This album is embarrassingly bad. There areThe Refused are **** dead. They did their former guitarist Jon Brännström a favor by firing him. This album is embarrassingly bad. There are no screams. It's 100% clean vocals. They sold out and went from the Hardcore Punk to Indie Alternative Pop. Refused have always changed their sound with every album. However they always stayed within the Hardcore genre. Freedom is the first album to leave the Hardcore genre and join the Radio Friendly Alt Rock Scene.

    They even changed their image to conform to the popular Indie Hipster look. The drummer now wears a fedora and those ridiculous hipster glasses. All the members wear vintage clothing, that is popular with hipsters and tight pants. Two of the members even grew untrimmed hipster beards. They look ridiculous. A bunch of guys in their 40s trying to dress like college hipsters.

    Freedom is produced by pop producer Shellback who previously worked with Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and Pink. He even co wrote 2 of the songs. This is the first time Refused has used outside song writers. In the past, Refused wrote ALL of their songs. A band that doesn't write their own songs is a joke. It seems Refused lost their passion for music and just wrote this album for the $$$. They sold out. They changed their image and music to conform to the current music trends.

    If you are one of those loser hipsters that hangs out at Starbucks all day, you will love this album. If not, you'll hate this album. Jon Brännström dodged a bullet by getting fired. He must be feeling relieved that he wasn't a part of this disaster.    … Full Review »
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