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Into the Blue
by
Into the Blue Image
Metascore
75

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

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the first full-length release in eight years for Danger Mouse and The Shins' James Mercer as the indie rock duo Broken Bells.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 10, 2022
    80
    Impressive, but weirdly hard to enjoy. Into the Blue is similarly promiscuous, but more frequently dazzling.
  2. Mojo
    Oct 6, 2022
    80
    Their first album in eight years finds their bond as strong as ever, Burton scoring Mercer's pocket heartaches for widescreen. [Nov 2022, p.90]
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  3. Glide Magazine
    Oct 6, 2022
    80
    The consistently heart-wrenching lyrics of Mercer combined with Danger Mouse’s ability to craft luxurious instrumentals give Into The Blue its colorful personality. Within the 40-minute run-time of the album, the duo explores new territory while Mercer’s poetic songwriting keeps Danger Mouse’s spaced-out instrumentals grounded.
  4. Uncut
    Oct 6, 2022
    70
    No overhaul then, but the BB alure still holds. [Nov 2022, p.26]
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  5. AllMusic
    Oct 7, 2022
    70
    It may be a bit disjointed, but Into the Blue offers enough thoughtful songwriting and creative sonics to suggest Broken Bells has matured into the pleasantly offbeat side project it was always meant to be.
  6. DIY Magazine
    Oct 6, 2022
    70
    ‘Into The Blue’ comes across like the pair swapping mixtapes; a little ‘60s psych here, some ‘70s soul there, with a smidge of ‘80s R&B between. ... In lesser hands, this may have presented a mish-mash of confused homage, but here, it’s just a pleasant, nostalgic listen.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 6, 2022
    60
    For the most part, however, while never less than beautifully realised, there’s a sense that the record has more dramatic and intense potential that’s left frustratingly untapped.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. spidrmanfrmmars
    Oct 16, 2022
    8
    Another great album. I didn’t enjoy it as much as their previous albums, but I haven’t had 8+ years to spend with it yet either, so it’s beingAnother great album. I didn’t enjoy it as much as their previous albums, but I haven’t had 8+ years to spend with it yet either, so it’s being graded against nostalgia. Personally, it has a very Rubber Soul feel to it - somehow upbeat and also melancholy. I gave it an 8, but I feel that over time, it has the ability to be my favorite offering of theirs. Thank you gentleman, it was worth the wait - let’s not wait another 8 years!… Expand
  2. TomMonday
    Nov 15, 2022
    6
    The music equivalent of turning 38. Look forward to hearing these songs playing in your local gastropub or adult contemporary TV show. A goodThe music equivalent of turning 38. Look forward to hearing these songs playing in your local gastropub or adult contemporary TV show. A good album to listen to while making a protein shake and looking over your investments online.… Expand