Heartworms
by The Shins
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
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  1. The Guardian
    Mar 16, 2017
    60
    Heartworms is an album of tinkering and pootling, the sound of a man reminiscing on life, referencing his favourite records--less rock star, more bloke living out his hobby from the comfort of a suburban garage.
  2. The 405
    Mar 16, 2017
    60
    This album is just a few puzzle pieces shy of being great, and that’s a damn shame.
  3. No Ripcord
    Mar 13, 2017
    60
    There are so many ideas in Heartworms that give substance to Mercer’s unremitting passion to create, and though he manages to enliven and push the project forward it more so blurs Mercer’s artistic and commercial ambitions.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Mar 10, 2017
    60
    While opener ‘Name For You’ is catchy, and album highlight ‘Rubber Ballz’ is a foot-stomping earworm, Heartworms largely represents a loss of ambition.
  6. Slant Magazine
    Mar 9, 2017
    60
    On paper, Mercer's lyrics too often engage in heavy-handed wordplay (“I take the drugs, but the drugs won't take”) or drift off into abstraction (“I dine like an aging pirate”), though the vocals aren't always featured prominently enough to easily decipher on a casual listen.
  7. Pretty Much Amazing
    Mar 13, 2017
    58
    Despite the glorious melodies hidden within so many of these tracks, like the opening duo of “Name for You” and “Painting a Hole”, huge potential is undermined by ham-fisted executions and depths you could wade through.
  8. PopMatters
    Mar 15, 2017
    50
    Heartworms has some songs that longtime Shins fans will appreciate, and they should seek out those songs. But in the age of unlimited audio streaming, it is hard to make a case that the entire album is worth their time.
  9. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 13, 2017
    50
    Frankly, Mercer’s unfiltered production makes Heartworms an exhausting listen.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    8
    From the amazingly steady tunefulness to the wonderfully audacious synthetic textures, this is one of the year’s best albums, and while itFrom the amazingly steady tunefulness to the wonderfully audacious synthetic textures, this is one of the year’s best albums, and while it doesn’t create anything ultramodern or cohesive for big avant-grade fans, it’s the consistently brilliant songwriting that gives the album importance. My Score: 149/180 (Great) = 8.3/10… Full Review »
  2. sratomasfer
    Mar 10, 2017
    8
    Definitely a record that explores their lo-fi electronic sound more. There's some nice vocal samples and harmonies throughout. Mercer hasDefinitely a record that explores their lo-fi electronic sound more. There's some nice vocal samples and harmonies throughout. Mercer has proved again that he is a fantastic producer as well as musician. Although the pad synths get kind of old after a while. Definitely a record to check out!… Full Review »
  3. mbellingham
    Apr 15, 2017
    9
    Pop genius from the Shins. Songs that are really endearing. Lots of quirky electronic sounds while retaining a simple listenability. NearPop genius from the Shins. Songs that are really endearing. Lots of quirky electronic sounds while retaining a simple listenability. Near perfection.… Full Review »
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