Juice B Crypts
by Battles
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: Oct 18, 2019
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Exclaim
    Oct 15, 2019
    90
    Juice B Crypts responds with 11 tracks of knotty, electronic rock puzzles.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Oct 24, 2019
    88
    To be sure, Juice B Crypts contains many moments of unabashed oddness as well, but in allowing for a sharper contrast between the odd and the beautiful this time, Battles ultimately get further with both.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Oct 18, 2019
    88
    Though Battles might be viewed from a distance as a potentially daunting listen, “Juice B Crypts” provides multi-faceted kicks, whether on the dance floor, through the headphones, or riding, screaming with joy, on a rollercoaster.
  5. The Wire
    Oct 23, 2019
    80
    This is a record that doesn’t sound like it emerges from hermetic isolation, rather it feels as extrovert and joyous and intriguing and intrigued as the city that inspires it. New York City made sound flesh.
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  6. The Quietus
    Oct 21, 2019
    80
    Judging by the results of Juice B Crypts, this revitalisation of purpose feels very much like something radiating directly from the artists themselves. Hardly a complete renewal or about-face, but rather a refining of methodology and intent, a distillation of what made them so exciting to begin with.
  7. AllMusic
    Oct 21, 2019
    80
    Battles pack so much into Juice B Crypts that, perhaps more than any of their albums since Mirrored, it needs to be taken as a whole to appreciate its constantly changing, consistently engaging sounds.
  8. DIY Magazine
    Oct 17, 2019
    80
    As you’d expect, there are bleeps and bloops aplenty, but underneath it all is a sexy, if slightly bizarre, groove.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 16, 2019
    80
    Juice B Crypts is an uncompromised, multi-faceted assault course for the brain, but one you won’t regret taking.
  10. Clash Music
    Oct 16, 2019
    80
    It would be hard to find an album to compete with theirs in regards of modernism or creativeness.
  11. Q Magazine
    Oct 15, 2019
    80
    It's addictively brilliant. [Nov 2019, p.108]
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  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 15, 2019
    80
    Though the guests form a great deal of the fabric of the album, they do so on Battles’ terms, firmly entering their universe. No guest – not even Shabazz Palaces’ flowing verses on ‘Izm’ – steals the show. ... An album – that indulges the weird and wonderful side of Battles while also, simply, giving the people what they want.
  13. PopMatters
    Oct 21, 2019
    70
    Battles' music continues to be unconventional and sometimes harsh-sounding, but they also have an ear for catchy melodies. As usual, Stanier is a highlight, because here he gets to pound away at his drums and create interesting rhythms that don't have to interact with the music in a traditional rock setting.
  14. Slant Magazine
    Oct 16, 2019
    70
    Juice B Crypts occasionally threatens to collapse beneath the weight of its overstuffed songs. But even when it’s too maximalist for its own good, Battles’s music is still compelling. That’s thanks in large part to Stainer’s mind-meltingly good drum work.
  15. Pitchfork
    Oct 21, 2019
    61
    Juice B Crypts is an act of overcompensation from a duo trying to make too much happen with less.
  16. The 405
    Oct 22, 2019
    60
    Juice B Crypts is certainly a decent-enough math rock album, but when you have people as experienced and talented as Williams and Stanier “decent-enough” doesn’t cut it.
  17. Mojo
    Oct 15, 2019
    60
    Thrilling, unpredictable and often inspired stuff. [Nov 2019, p.86]
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  18. Uncut
    Oct 15, 2019
    50
    As ever, the technical chops are indisputable--but it does, with fewer brains on board, feel somehow less substantial. [Nov 2019, p.22]
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User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PippiLawnstompn
    Nov 6, 2019
    9
    I was rather nervous about this album but it well surpassed my expectations. Full of surprises, quirks and memorable featured artists. I sayI was rather nervous about this album but it well surpassed my expectations. Full of surprises, quirks and memorable featured artists. I say it's on par with gloss drop at the very least. Clearly it isn't to the taste of every Battles follower out there. But for the band to lose half its original members and still hit the hard is quite something. Tune Yards collab is a dream come true!!… Full Review »
  2. Spoonyon
    Feb 9, 2020
    6
    The drop in quality from their magnum opus in my opinion, Gloss Drop, is very noticeable and sad. This album isn't without great moments butThe drop in quality from their magnum opus in my opinion, Gloss Drop, is very noticeable and sad. This album isn't without great moments but too often are the songs over stuffed with musical passages and phrases that just overwhelm the listener. Nothing downright terrible though.… Full Review »
  3. JaneMetascore
    Dec 18, 2019
    5
    The fabric of this album is absurdly mediocre. This band in its own little world is terrible. These guests are just bizarre performers whoThe fabric of this album is absurdly mediocre. This band in its own little world is terrible. These guests are just bizarre performers who just get paid to act out being weirdos. This band is terrible at shows. Their audience needs something else and should avoid this at all costs.… Full Review »
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