How to Be a Human Being
by Glass Animals
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Aug 26, 2016
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 25, 2016
    95
    The last memory of How To Be A Human Being is pure brilliance, and you're forced to revisit the record every chance you get. Each listen reveals more, scrapes back another layer. You'll get more and feel more each time you hit play.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 7, 2017
    90
    Less eccentric and exciting than its predecessor, perhaps, but only by choice. Glass Animals are at their peak in 2016, and perfectly content to be slower and quieter, worming their way into your head by inches but settling in for the long haul once they're in there.
  3. Mixmag
    Sep 9, 2016
    90
    Nobody else sounds like them right now.
  5. The 405
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    Although elements remain, the core of humanity and character drive this collection to an equally intriguing effect and leaves a far more immediate impression.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Sep 2, 2016
    80
    It sufficiently moves their sound on from Zaba, while also successfully capturing the multifaceted nature of man.
  7. The Guardian
    Aug 25, 2016
    80
    Perhaps its contemporary qualities will seem as fleeting as its subjects’ visits in five year’s time, but Zaba’s follow up is still an inventively produced, impishly executed triumph.
  8. DIY Magazine
    Aug 25, 2016
    80
    Their new record showcases inner madness, characters you’d cross the street to avoid, and some of the band’s smartest pop songs to date.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 24, 2016
    80
    It may sound a little high-concept, but its ultimate themes of empathy and diversity are subtly communicated. Glass Animals’ melodies have an immediacy that diffuses any hint of chin-strokiness.
  10. The Skinny
    Aug 24, 2016
    80
    How to Be a Human Being is arguably yet more effervescent than its predecessor.
  11. Under The Radar
    Aug 24, 2016
    80
    If ZABA was a weird and lovable new friend, How to Be a Human Being exploits that familiarity to test some new boundaries, and the result is delightfully entertaining.
  12. Consequence
    Sep 1, 2016
    75
    The tracks flit between genres with little regard for thematic continuity. Still, the album makes up for that absence with a barrage of raw humanity.
  13. AllMusic
    Sep 7, 2016
    70
    How to Be a Human Being's sense of wonder and joie de vivre feels as instructive to Glass Animals as their listeners, and their willingness to try anything results in some truly great moments.
  14. Mojo
    Sep 6, 2016
    60
    Bayley's lyrics--inspired by fly-on-the-wall over-hearings--add depth. [Oct 2016, p.109]
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  15. Clash Music
    Sep 6, 2016
    60
    Glass Animals should definitely continue tinkering with their sound; they just haven’t yet earnt the right to full reinvention yet.
  16. NOW Magazine
    Sep 1, 2016
    60
    And Agnes, the gloomy, anticlimactic closer, ejects the listener out of the edgy world that much of the album finds strength in by relying too heavily on a mainstream radio sound that feels too safe. Nonetheless, as a whole, HTBAHB is thrilling enough to achieve replay status.
  17. Q Magazine
    Sep 23, 2016
    40
    How To Be A Human Being shows a band who know how to Frankenstein a song together, but can't bring it to life. [Nov 2016, p.107]
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Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Discussed Album of 2016
63
#63 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 117 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 127
  3. Negative: 7 out of 127
  1. Zatharel
    Aug 26, 2016
    10
    Despite the fact that it only came out yesterday, How To Be A Human Being is practically my favorite album this year. And that really meansDespite the fact that it only came out yesterday, How To Be A Human Being is practically my favorite album this year. And that really means something, considering the fact that this year we've had new records from artists like Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and even the late David Bowie.

    How To Be A Human Being really is something special. Glass Animals debut album, ZABA, was an album where you felt immersed in nature. This sophomore album is an album where you feel immersed in...well people. It tells the stories of fictional characters created by the frontman, inspired by stories the band has heard from everyday people.

    It feels so different from ZABA yet it still has their recognizable style/sound, something that I'm glad they've managed to find during their short and promising career. A wonderful album, and definitely something you should check out, regardless of if you were a fan of ZABA or not.

    Personal Highlight Tracks: Youth, Pork Soda, Mama's Gun, The Other Side of Paradise.    … Full Review »
  2. macmazan
    Aug 26, 2016
    9
    The album is nearly perfect! I'm in love with the new tunes since the release of 'Life Itself' but today I was really pleased to find out thatThe album is nearly perfect! I'm in love with the new tunes since the release of 'Life Itself' but today I was really pleased to find out that it isn't event better song of the album. 'Take a Slice', 'Mama's Gun', 'Anges' are great and should be played live. The cover is also great. Can't wait to see them live in November!… Full Review »
  3. moonman1994
    Aug 26, 2016
    10
    Rarely is there an album that can be so diverse and still have every track be amazing. This is one of those albums. Also behind the greatRarely is there an album that can be so diverse and still have every track be amazing. This is one of those albums. Also behind the great tunes is the fact that each is based on an album cover character which give the songs extra depth. I'm still not sure what my favorite track is and I'm not sure if I'll be able to pick one!… Full Review »
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