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Los Angeles
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Los Angeles Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length album on the Warp label for Steven Ellison.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Pitchfork
    85
    With its accomplished fusion of debris and warmth in a place somewhere between b-boy head-nod and laptopper experimentalism, Los Angeles is a big step forward for a still-young career, an album well worth revisiting years from now--preferably on vinyl, where the pops and clicks can only multiply.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    It’s a gritty, spacey, and ultimately beautiful record that is sure to give Flying Lotus some much-deserved attention.
  3. Spin
    80
    Flying Lotus' spaced-out visions are the album's trump card, a computerized mesh of hip-hop beats at dub-like tempos.
  4. Urb
    80
    Los Angeles is a beautifully complex and widespread full-length from one of LA’s most creative and perceptive music producers.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    80
    The record is almost as seamless as it is engaging, and it subtly commands your attention from start to finish.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Loaded with 17 tracks, it's an entertaining and fitting addition to the Warp catalog that makes for some highly hypnotic video arcade/coffee parlor mood music.
  7. Uncut
    60
    It is, like LA itself, heavy on style. [Sep 2008, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. BIGMAN22
    Feb 12, 2016
    10
    love the spacey, cos-mo sound the songs have, i can see the influence that flying lotus had from artists MF Doom, Madlib and J Dilla when itlove the spacey, cos-mo sound the songs have, i can see the influence that flying lotus had from artists MF Doom, Madlib and J Dilla when it comes to crafting impressive beats. a very impressive piece of work for his second album.… Expand
  2. mj
    Apr 13, 2010
    10
    FlyLo is the master of his scene. "Cosmogramma" is going to be huge.
  4. NeilL.
    Mar 16, 2009
    10
    Excellent album which doesn't seem to have garnered the broader recognition that it richly deserves. But Flying Lotus is a relatively Excellent album which doesn't seem to have garnered the broader recognition that it richly deserves. But Flying Lotus is a relatively new artist, there is still time to win over the masses.… Expand
  5. alecvl08
    Jan 21, 2015
    10
    Absolutely exquisite electronic album. It's very cohesive, but always has a new interesting beat to throw you. It also follows a story curve.Absolutely exquisite electronic album. It's very cohesive, but always has a new interesting beat to throw you. It also follows a story curve. The first few tracks introduce the sounds, then Golden Diva, Riot, and GNG BNG come along (a great series of tracks) are give you action. Then it slowly calms down until the more introspective tracks near the end. It's absolutely amazing. It's a must listen for anybody with any affiliation with electronic music or hip hop.… Expand
  6. AddVariety
    Jan 10, 2015
    9
    This debut album from Flying Lotus is still his best work, apart from the latest release "You're Dead!". His music takes you on a trip in yourThis debut album from Flying Lotus is still his best work, apart from the latest release "You're Dead!". His music takes you on a trip in your mind, if you let him. Pay attention to it over and over again and you'll be empowered by this hypnotic album.… Collapse
  7. Zixon
    Sep 18, 2022
    9
    2nd favorite from Flying Lotus, behind You're Dead. Gritty textures and drums, brilliant sound design. **** masterful
  8. clem666
    Apr 6, 2021
    6
    Since the beginning Flying Lotus has his own style and ability to fuse brilliant samples into its raw experimental kind of music. On thisSince the beginning Flying Lotus has his own style and ability to fuse brilliant samples into its raw experimental kind of music. On this first studio album it feels like he still has to find his own musical identity. Those tracks almost all have the same atmosphere and approach: it is rude, grey, dark and gritty. I had too often the feeling that beats searched themselves and that the tracks didn't manage to craft their own identity. By listening to this album I felt lost in an ocean of FlyLo's undeniable creativity but also repetitveness. A lot sound truly unstructured, uncertain and unsubstantiated.

    Fortunately, at the end of this project, Fying Lotus added singers who helped them create what I think are better songs especially 'Auntie's Lock/Infinitum'. The end appears to be far more attractive and enjoyable since the artist eventually stops using those overly abrasive noisy beats to head towards calmer and softer tracks. Laura Darlington beautifully (but also repetitively) helps him progress that way.    … Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best Album of 2008
82
#82 Most Shared Album of 2008

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