Magdalene
by FKA twigs
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 510 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 470 out of 510
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 510
  3. Negative: 30 out of 510
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  1. jimmypowder
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    An absolute stunning masterwork that will be looked at years from now as a classic. Listen several times before making a judgment. Complex,heartfelt and sung with heavenly beauty.

    This could be the best album of 2019.
  2. Wael
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    The first full-length studio album from FKA twigs since her 2014 debut, LP1 (which was excellent in its own right), and her first project following 2015's M3LL155X, "MAGDALENE" is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best record released in 2019. It is not only concise in length and number of tracks, but also concise in the feelings it conveys and the messages it gets across.

    The    The first full-length studio album from FKA twigs since her 2014 debut, LP1 (which was excellent in its own right), and her first project following 2015's M3LL155X, "MAGDALENE" is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best record released in 2019. It is not only concise in length and number of tracks, but also concise in the feelings it conveys and the messages it gets across.

    The themes vary from heartbreak, to loneliness, to pain (not only emotionally, but also physically) (Barnett was diagnosed with uterine fibroid tumours and has undergone surgery to get them removed, a subject addressed on 'home with you'), to womanhood and strength (cf. 'mary magdalene'). FKA twigs' delivery is undeniably spectacular, showing even more maturity and versatility than ever before. Starting with 'thousand eyes', which serves as a great introduction for what's to come, twigs plays with sounds and synths all throughout the record, expanding her collaborations circle to people like Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and Future on 'holy terrain', which, even though is the most accessible song on the record, still feels exotic in a way that only FKA twigs can pull off. 'home with you' finds her going crescendo then decrescendo, just until the splendid, world-encompassing chorus hits, and it hits hard. 'fallen alien' features her spitting her lines out, almost shouting them, and 'mirrored heart' sees her pour her heart out, singing her most personal and confessional lyrics ever ('Did you truly see me? / No, not this time / Were you ever sure? / No no no, not with me'). It all tosses and turns and builds up, till the grand finale, 'cellophane' comes and closes the record in the most subtle, and the most magical way possible.

    "MAGDALENE" is not only an excellent alternative avant-pop record. This is the sound of a woman who awakened and rose from the ashes like a phoenix, and decided to sing about how both melancholic and glorious it was.    … Expand
  3. matthewmirliani
    Nov 10, 2019
    10
    Nothing short of stunning - nothing short of extraordinary - nothing short of remarkable—MAGDALENE is unlike any album you’ll hear this year. It is bound by no genre, yet incredibly cohesive - its beats, melodies, and lyrics incredibly rich, theatric, dark, beautiful, and mystical. It echoes the somberness of a Del Rey record, as well as the avant-garde pop of Charli XCX and Grimes - andNothing short of stunning - nothing short of extraordinary - nothing short of remarkable—MAGDALENE is unlike any album you’ll hear this year. It is bound by no genre, yet incredibly cohesive - its beats, melodies, and lyrics incredibly rich, theatric, dark, beautiful, and mystical. It echoes the somberness of a Del Rey record, as well as the avant-garde pop of Charli XCX and Grimes - and strangely works as an unintentional companion to Nick Cave’s equally majestic Ghosteen.… Expand
  4. elmerodocles
    Nov 12, 2019
    10
    One thing !!! This is a master piece !!!! She deserves a Grammy right now... if you didn’t see her performance in Jimmy Fallon go watch it right now !!!!
  5. DPtdryste
    Nov 22, 2019
    10
    I usually review video games on this account. This is the first time I've reviewed a music album. I've only ever deviated from video games for like, maybe 2-3 movie reviews.

    Great album. Again, first music review, first album that made me care enough to do so. I love how she fluctuates from vulnerable to caretaker to ascendant to absolutely just wanting to show some skills on this    I usually review video games on this account. This is the first time I've reviewed a music album. I've only ever deviated from video games for like, maybe 2-3 movie reviews.

    Great album. Again, first music review, first album that made me care enough to do so.

    I love how she fluctuates from vulnerable to caretaker to ascendant to absolutely just wanting to show some skills on this album.

    Real talk, I feel like I hear different nuances after still so many listens.

    Can't recommend more highly, it's really nice watching so much that seems so different come together so harmonically, yet there feels like there's a core, a story here, that's about something hard to define:

    Something distinctly feminine, abstract, wishful AND mournful. But also catchy as hell about 5-6 times throughout the album. The nuance guides you through what isn't just simple math, though.

    Enjoy!    … Expand
  6. riordanpett
    Nov 11, 2019
    10
    Quite possibly album of the year. Some of the production seriously reminds me of Melodrama and Masseduction. These 'M'-starting albums seem to be these three artist's magnum opus works. Insightful lyrics, interesting production, and a cohesive body of work.
  7. Markfroot
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    What the hell ist this? Thanks Twigs for turning **** people did to you into gold. I loved every single song. Daybed is something... one of my favorites.
  8. CharlieGray
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    A wonderfully crafted record that shows a complete new side of twigs: vulnerability, pain, heartbreak. All these so called imperfections make the album a force to be reckoned with.
  9. Panchogul
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    Fka twigs merece más reconocimiento, pese a tener sólo dos álbumes y un par de EP's ha demostrado ser lo suficientemente buena para pertenecer a las ligas mayores y MAGDALENE reafirma lo que digo al respecto.
  10. loadingrande
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    what a great surprise. this will for sure compete on the top 5 albums of the year! limitless gorgeous lyrics and production. her voice is unique. made me feel so emotional. for sure her best work yet
  11. Juan12353
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    It's really a great album! It's interesting and it is one of the best albums of 2019
  12. BenjaminCrmx
    Jan 26, 2020
    10
    Such an amazing album. Twigs is at her peak with this beautiful album written from the heart. An emotional alternative r&b masterpiece with no duds.
  13. x_jxxnnx_x
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    Definitely, album of the year. Twigs is always delivering us her art, and this wasn't the exception. MAGDALENE is an amazing album, lyrics and production are genius, and she also proves us that she won't stop growing up as an amazing artist.
  14. aleppo
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    FKA twigs has outdone herself in the most excellent, earth-shattering way with this album. The lyrics and themes resonate, the production transcends the boundaries of genre, and twigs' voice carries an emotional gravity previously untapped by the artist. MAGDALENE, simply put, is a magnificent body of work and a legitimate contender for album of the year.

    Highlights include 'thousand    FKA twigs has outdone herself in the most excellent, earth-shattering way with this album. The lyrics and themes resonate, the production transcends the boundaries of genre, and twigs' voice carries an emotional gravity previously untapped by the artist. MAGDALENE, simply put, is a magnificent body of work and a legitimate contender for album of the year.

    Highlights include 'thousand eyes,' 'mary magdalene,' and 'cellophane'.    … Expand
  15. Raphael2017
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    Em cellophane eu já sabia que esse álbum seria um hinario, quando ouvi Daybed foi a confirmação.
  16. oxmarxrey
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    This....is what art is converted into sound. The beautiful yet chaotic waves of emotions that FKA brings to the listener is astounding. This is an evolutionary album for the times. One of the best albums in years.
  17. behzatgoren
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    I felt like literally Mary Magdalene whilr listening this great album.I really love the vibe she gave us with this album
  18. prestonhung
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    This is a beautiful piece of work. I am sure not many people would like this and appreciate how substantive MAGDALENE is, because this is a completely different album compared to LP1. It really is the detail and the emotions put into the vocals and the production that make this an exceptional piece. I suggest listeners to give this album patience and devote this album some peace and quietThis is a beautiful piece of work. I am sure not many people would like this and appreciate how substantive MAGDALENE is, because this is a completely different album compared to LP1. It really is the detail and the emotions put into the vocals and the production that make this an exceptional piece. I suggest listeners to give this album patience and devote this album some peace and quiet and space to listen to, as it is sonically really difficult to digest, especially if one is used to the sound on the adventurous LP1.
    Highlights: thousand eyes, home with you, mary magdalene, fallen alien    … Expand
  19. TheusFurler
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    A beautiful piece of work and one of the most beautiful albums that i've ever heard.
  20. niccolomusillo
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    Pure art! Intense combination. Lyrics, vocals, production everything's perfect in this album. It also has a beautiful message
  21. IndigoGhost
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    Na primeira faixa já somos encaminhados para o que Twigs quer falar, usando influências líricas, eletrônicas fazendo uma ótima música de introdução pra uma obra coesa e tecnicamente sem falhas. Grande aposta para o AOTY 2021.
  22. brthneverytime
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    simply one of the most beautiful albums that has ever been done. i admire her strength to put out this body of work and sing about her deepest feelings throughout these years.
  23. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 10, 2021
    10
    This album is an experience so it makes sense many would be lost in it's complexity. She incorporated the growth shown in 'LP1' and 'Melissa Ep' and delivered an emotional amalgamation of both without repeating what they did best. Her silence came only musically as her life became thrust in the public during her high profile relationship with a certain sparkling vampire that evolved intoThis album is an experience so it makes sense many would be lost in it's complexity. She incorporated the growth shown in 'LP1' and 'Melissa Ep' and delivered an emotional amalgamation of both without repeating what they did best. Her silence came only musically as her life became thrust in the public during her high profile relationship with a certain sparkling vampire that evolved into an engagement that served to unravel the intrinsic racism of British tabloids ,media and society as she was harassed, humiliated and threatened. This trauma reminded her of the misogyny that roots all forms of discrimination, such as racism, to they biblical origins. The story of God's only son's wife:mary Magdalene. She's used as a conduit to address these issues(mary magdalene,home with you)even exploring the stress of the public eye which she makes literal in the ethereal opener. Her pain is the theme of this album:physical, emotional and natural. The stella "cellophane " is about her bought with embryonic cysts which she called her "fruit bowls" and the agony of the end of a relationship that took so much of your time. This is extended into the melancholy of "mirrored heart " and regressed to rage shock and disappointment in the peculiar (evenfor her)"fallen alien" where a break up is equivalent to being shipwrecked from a spaceship into unknown territory. This album is the breakdown of self into it's base pieces so the trauma can be simplified before it's processed. Favourites:home with you,mirrored heart,day bed,cellophane, sad day,fallen alien,holy terrain, mary magdalene **** did i type the entire tracklist, lol. )… Expand
  24. badboyleleo
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    I have always wanted to and finally I have something to call a tour de force!
  25. juangalmeidx
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    my album of the year is here! brutal yet soft and sensible, a beautiful journey led by FKA’s vocals and amazing production as well.
  26. MusicSpy
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    o album tá muito bom, mary magdalene merece um grammy... que musica perfeita
  27. matteopng
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    One of the best albums I’ve ever heard in my life. I cannot stress how good this is enough
  28. gilsonbrenan
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    Era o álbum que a gente precisa escutar antes de fechar a lista de melhores do ano.
  29. 1mavin
    Nov 10, 2019
    10
    So innovative...
    Right from the day of EP1 & LP1.
    The album is like a new genre of musicis created.
  30. Enriquecasas
    Nov 8, 2019
    10
    Album Of the Year, twigs is one of the greatest artists of ALL TIME, mirrored heart is beautiful
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best Album of 2019
18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. musicOMH.com
    Nov 15, 2019
    100
    Magdalene is an album that, like FKA twigs herself, defies both genre and classification. Yet it’s a late contender for album of the year, with songs that will live you for months to come.
    Read full review
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 13, 2019
    90
    Magdalene sees FKA Twigs reach a wholly satisfying pinnacle that is unlikely to be rivaled by any of her peers in 2019.
    Read full review
  3. No Ripcord
    Nov 12, 2019
    100
    It’s beautiful, inventive, catchy, heartbreaking, addictive, and bursting at the seams with ideas. It captures a performer truly at the top of their game, throwing everything into a project so that not one second is wasted. It’s a record that makes you fall in love with music again, a record you feel privileged to experience and a record that imparts fundamental human truths.
    Read full review
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