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Loner
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Loner Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the singer-songwriter features influences from electronic, folk, pop, surf and punk music and was co-produced with Paul Butler.
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  • Record Label: New West
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Country-Rock, Roots Rock, Indie Folk
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. musicOMH.com
    Mar 28, 2018
    90
    There’s not one dud track on it, and each listen unveils something new to hear. Most pleasingly though, in these dark times, is that it’s a whole heap of fun. 2018 may be only a few months old, but we may have its album of the year already.
  2. Under The Radar
    Mar 14, 2018
    85
    LONER whacks the listener swiftly upside the head with our red-clad protagonist's winning charisma, leaving ya dizzy and begging for more.
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 14, 2018
    80
    She's made the most interesting album of her career to date.
  4. Mojo
    Apr 23, 2018
    80
    Loner is the sound of her undoubted talent turned feral. It's a wonderful, rollicking beast. [Jun 2018, p.94]
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  5. Uncut
    May 24, 2018
    80
    Rose said she wanted to make an album that reflects the oscillating extremes of her personality--Loner is that and much more. [Jul 2018, p.34]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Paste Magazine
    Mar 14, 2018
    79
    LONER is a big step up Caroline Rose’s artistic ladder, and evidence she hasn’t “learned her place” and never will.
  7. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Aug 20, 2018
    70
    Her new album is carefully all over the place, ditching pretty much every aspect of the genre that brought her recognition.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Frogacuda
    Jul 6, 2018
    10
    Musically adventurous, and lyrically inspired, this is a summer pop record that manages to tap into unmined depths of subject matter, with aMusically adventurous, and lyrically inspired, this is a summer pop record that manages to tap into unmined depths of subject matter, with a cutting wit and humor that keeps the sometimes heavy subject matter from betraying its peppy sound.

    Rose has completely tossed out the foundation laid by her two previous albums, both understated alt-country records that featured some lovely lyrics, but little of the sort of memorable hooks or fresh new sounds that make discovering a new record exciting. She is essentially a new artist, here, or at least a new "act," with a new persona to go with it, casting off the muted dresses for cherry-red sportswear, and trading accousing folk instruments for a synth-heavy sound that channels the likes of The Cramps, The B-52s, and Justin Timberlake.

    Peppy pop music often has a reputation for being shallow, but Rose's lyrics -- seemingly informed more by the likes of John Prine and Randy Newman than anything you'd hear on Top 40 today -- distinguish this album from the ocean of pop on the radio. Sardonic and sarcastic takedowns on consumerism, chauvisim, and misogyny break up classic storytelling in the folk tradition, and nowhere -- not even a single track -- is there a love song, a break up song, or a real cliche of any kind.

    This has been my album of the year so far. Its catchy and memorable the first time you hear it, and it only gets better on subsequent listens. Rose has found a unique voice here, musically and lyrically, and I hope this one is more than a phase.    … Expand
  2. SKSK
    Jul 23, 2018
    7
    A fun and really enjoyable album. An adventurous journey through the musician's mind.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Album of 2018