Illegals in Heaven
by Blank Realm
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2015
    90
    Easily the band's finest work yet, Illegals' little quirks and huge emotions have what it takes to sweep listeners off their feet.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 4, 2015
    90
    Illegals in Heaven is not an album you ponder about-the words and the grooves stab your brain and tap fountains of hormones. Blank Realm have done it again, and together they’ll take on the world for love.
  3. The 405
    Sep 30, 2015
    80
    Blank Realm have offered up another album that refuses to reveal itself right away, and instead, it gradually lures you in and rewards you with previously overlooked gems with each listen.
  5. Delusions of Adequacy
    Sep 21, 2015
    80
    Whilst Illegals In Heaven may not propel Blank Realm into dramatic new terrain, it does re-fortify existing ramparts with a scrupulous conviction.
  6. The Wire
    Sep 15, 2015
    80
    The intelligence and emotions of the lyrics also capture the accidental complexities of the pop of yesteryear when light entertainment could find itself the place for heavy themes. [Oct 2015, p.60]
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  7. Blurt Magazine
    Sep 14, 2015
    80
    With electronic pop maverick Lawrence English producing, they have, if not exactly tamed their sound, at least neatened it up.
  8. No Ripcord
    Sep 8, 2015
    80
    Delightfully off-key and inimitable in their vision, Illegals to Heaven is another peculiar leap forward for a band that only sees through a singular filter.
  9. The Quietus
    Sep 8, 2015
    80
    What it also has is songs. Cracking ones.
  10. The Guardian
    Sep 3, 2015
    80
    Blank Realm have always been capable of moments of translucent beauty, the dizzying high points of previous albums obscuring the weaker moments. Illegals in Heaven, though, is both varied and consistent.
  11. Uncut
    Sep 3, 2015
    80
    The latest from the three siblings plus mate chews gleefully through genres. [Oct 2015, p.73]
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  12. Classic Rock Magazine
    Sep 3, 2015
    80
    Blank Realm thrash expertly between raucousness and beauty, culminating in the tremulous Gold. This really is a very fine album indeed.
  13. Mojo
    Sep 30, 2015
    60
    While the peppier River Of Longing and Palace Of Love are rousing, it's when the brakes are applied that Illegals in Heaven leaves a durable residue. [Nov 2015, p.90]
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  14. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 9, 2015
    60
    Old, tired, and disillusioned they may be, yet Illegals in Heaven sees Blank Realm affirm the necessity of maturing into something more than the abstract projection of possibility.
  15. The Guardian
    Sep 3, 2015
    40
    While most songs here would be great for a drunken dance, they aren’t memorable enough for you to still be singing them the morning after.

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