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Happy Now Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The ninth full-length release for the British post-punk band led by Andy Gill was co-produced with Ben Hillier and Ross Orton.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Apr 13, 2019
    80
    The Leeds-launched provocateurs still sound sharp and lean. [May 2019, p.88]
  2. Apr 23, 2019
    80
    Saying Happy Now is the best album to bear the Gang of Four banner since 1995's Shrinkwrapped may sound like a dubious compliment, given how tepid much of their output has been, but this is taut, effective music that honors Gang of Four's heritage but succeeds on its own terms. Global crisis is good for something after all.
  3. Apr 13, 2019
    70
    It's an album that sounds like society collapsing-its songs riddled with a disconcerting, unnerving uncertainty and a kind of apocalyptic anxiety, despite the vigor and confidence of the music itself. So while the Gang of Four of 2019 is very different to the Gang of Four that started in the late '70s, it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.
  4. Uncut
    Apr 13, 2019
    70
    Andy Gill's guitar work is still distinctive and angular on tracks like "Toreador" and "Don't Ask Me," but the band seem intent on lending the old with the new. [May 2019, p.23]
  5. Q Magazine
    Apr 13, 2019
    60
    The distance from here to early triumphs Entertainment! and Solid Gold seems like a long one. [Jun 2019, p.112]
  6. Mojo
    Apr 13, 2019
    60
    Yet more caustic politico cold-funk disco grooves. [May 2019, p.96]
  7. Apr 26, 2019
    20
    Stripped of the band’s famed essence, the agitated pop of yore is foregone in favour of something that sounds formulaic and uninspired. ... The results are something akin to a terrifying amalgamation of Muse and Duran Duran.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of