Iridescence
by BROCKHAMPTON
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Sep 21, 2018
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. DIY Magazine
    Sep 24, 2018
    100
    After Saturation's freewheeling spirit and an insatiable appetite for fun, Iridescence had to confront the past nine months, and make a statement as to how the band move forward. It does so emphatically.
  2. Consequence
    Sep 24, 2018
    91
    Iridescence is full-to-bursting; it’s like almost eating too much food, almost drinking too much booze; it’s getting close to too much, and still asking for more.
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Sep 24, 2018
    90
    The more you listen, the more intricacies you notice. The more you listen, the more you realise just how defining this record will be for the future of Brockhampton.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2018
    89
    Hooks sparse and structure loose, Iridescence redefines future pop.
  6. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 24, 2018
    88
    Brockhampton's simplest album, a choose-your-own-adventure funhouse where the experience is as hilarious or as touching as the mindset you go in with.
  7. HipHopDX
    Sep 24, 2018
    82
    As a highly experimental album, the occasional misfire is a guarantee. Ultimately, Iridescence is an exciting way to start a new trilogy and is a testament to Brockhampton’s perseverance.
  8. AllMusic
    Oct 11, 2018
    80
    Very much a product of their time, Brockhampton absorbs what they need from across genres, sharing honest confessions from their varied personal backgrounds (the most striking provided by group leader Kevin Abstract) and reflecting its mixed audience as a voice of their generation. Brockhampton have seized upon this defining moment with Iridescence, a defining peak in their young career.
  9. Clash Music
    Sep 28, 2018
    80
    Iridescence feels like Brockhampton have regrouped musically to create a great, if not perfect, representation and platform to build on.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 24, 2018
    80
    Far from making vague allusions to the events prior to Iridescence, Brockhampton lay them bare, atop some of their most adventurous work to date.
  11. The A.V. Club
    Sep 28, 2018
    75
    The group’s music is all over the place, often gloriously so. The temptation has always been to pick out best tracks from these records, and Iridescence has some clear standouts.
  12. Pitchfork
    Sep 26, 2018
    66
    A collection of mosh-pit conductors, crowded songs, and fleeting moments of delicacy. Outside of the clear-eyed admissions of Abstract, the vocalists often get swallowed in the heavy mix, making the absence of Vann, their sharpest MC on past releases, noticeable.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Album of 2018
55
#55 Most Discussed Album of 2018
78
#78 Most Shared Album of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 232 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 201 out of 232
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 232
  3. Negative: 15 out of 232
  1. YoungLinkCon
    Sep 24, 2018
    10
    The Fourth Studio album from BROCKHAMPTON does not disappoint. After the recent allegations towards one of their core members "Ameer Vann" andThe Fourth Studio album from BROCKHAMPTON does not disappoint. After the recent allegations towards one of their core members "Ameer Vann" and having him leaving the group, many were left to worry how their next project would turn out and if it could compete with the SATURATION trilogy. To no surprise the album knocks it out of the park with songs such as NEW ORLEANS, TAPE, J'OUVERT, etc. The record tackles the last 9 months of their career talking about all the struggles they've had to deal with having risen to fame so fast. If you like experimental music definetly check this one out.… Full Review »
  2. andygiant
    Sep 25, 2018
    10
    Like the SATURATION Trilogy, the hardest working boyband in show business prevails at reinventing the wheel in terms of their sound. In spiteLike the SATURATION Trilogy, the hardest working boyband in show business prevails at reinventing the wheel in terms of their sound. In spite of setbacks within their group, iridescence is a variety of songs still holding on to themes that their group stands out for whether it is zany instrumentation, catchy hooks, and themes of intimacy but in a new category of their own. Exemplary tracks like NEW ORLEANS, DISTRICT, J'OUVERT, and VIVID have darker, but more lively instances of distorted basslines and percussion, many sounds being reminiscent of retro game sound effects. Songs like SAN MARCOS and WEIGHT and TAPE prove more introspective and self-conscious about the group's struggles and individual problems. With these songs coalesced into a more captivating work than previous projects, iridescence signifies the band's penchant to adapt and constantly evolve, throwing away PUPPY and TEAM EFFORT in search of making music that is more disruptive and shocking to fans. We see Radiohead's Kid A influence strong in how this shift had baffled listeners, with some being unable to come to terms with the change and abandonment of the tidbits that made SATURATION a widely acclaimed trilogy. As saturation semantically defines getting more of everything, iridescence defines the ability to get more depending on perspective and how an individual sees it as it is. iridescence strives to be a monumental mark in Brockhampton's discography, and a beginning of a new era in their music.… Full Review »
  3. anish289
    Sep 24, 2018
    10
    Just amazing, experimentation is at a high and I love the industrial sound of the record and their overall brand/style isn'tJust amazing, experimentation is at a high and I love the industrial sound of the record and their overall brand/style isn't compromised/watered down at all. Will keep listening and I hope it resonates with me well into the future.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »