User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Magnifique
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Magnifique Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length release for the electronic duo of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast features a cover of Springwater's "I Will Return."
Buy Now
Buy on
  • Record Label: XL
  • Genre(s): Electronic, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Club/Dance, Indie Electronic
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jul 17, 2015
    83
    Though the new Magnifique--the band’s first album in five years--doesn’t reinvent the Ratatat wheel, it revisits the status-quo thrill of those first two albums, while sprinkling in the hammock-swaying, breezy tropical vibe of both LP3 and LP4.
  2. Consequence
    Jul 9, 2015
    83
    The precise beauty of their production work, specifically the refusal to dump gratuitous instruments into the mix, places Magnifique at the top of Ratatat’s catalogue. Stroud and Mast let guitars beat at the album’s heart, and their balance of bubbly and peaceful elements ushers a return too fluid to ignore.
  3. The 405
    Jul 15, 2015
    80
    On album five, they still manage to experiment and sound as fresh as they were when they spat out 'Seventeen Years'.
  4. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jul 15, 2015
    67
    Individual melodies may not stick in your head, but Magnifique, as a complete work, offers a musical experience unavailable beyond Ratatat’s veteran production table.
  5. XLR8r
    Jul 17, 2015
    65
    What makes Magnifique work best as album experience, rather than a collection of individual songs; any shapeless moments are grafted onto the studier elements in the listener’s memory, leading to a rewarding overall experience in spite of the lulls in the action.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Jul 29, 2015
    60
    As with every Ratatat record, Magnifique leaves you wondering what they could do if they fleshed these out into actual songs with real singers.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 20, 2015
    40
    There is some charm in the Brooklyn duo’s method but, after five albums, it’s running thin.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. giair
    Jun 8, 2016
    9
    Despite this album doesn’t show any surprise, it achieve its goal.
    Its fresh, catchy and pretty well produced. Abrasive is a highlight.    Despite this album doesn’t show any surprise, it achieve its goal.
    Its fresh, catchy and pretty well produced. Abrasive is a highlight.

    *Best intro of all time tho.    … Expand
  2. JustToPostThis
    Jul 24, 2015
    9
    A well rounded album which slides in under the radar only to later announce itself with its numerous nuances. Some tracks like NightclubA well rounded album which slides in under the radar only to later announce itself with its numerous nuances. Some tracks like Nightclub Amnesia swell and subside with expert pacing while others float by despite their mesmerizing depth. Ratatat remains king of a genre they invented but it's going to take a couple listens through before you're willing to bow down (again).… Expand
  4. Taylooor
    Aug 21, 2015
    9
    Ratatat are great and this album is totally them in fine form. This is my skateboarding album of the year. Very energetic and fresh, I feelRatatat are great and this album is totally them in fine form. This is my skateboarding album of the year. Very energetic and fresh, I feel like a badass listening to it, it makes my head bob.… Expand
  5. RiverPlate
    Jul 20, 2015
    8
    I found this album fresh, catchy and very well produced. you can hear the influence from Daft Punk sometimes but this album took me back toI found this album fresh, catchy and very well produced. you can hear the influence from Daft Punk sometimes but this album took me back to their first album. Rome is for me the best tune.… Expand
  6. Custom_Concerns
    Sep 22, 2015
    6
    Magnifique is a selection of some finely produced and well composed electrorock tracks with a tropical flair. And, while it is fair to sayMagnifique is a selection of some finely produced and well composed electrorock tracks with a tropical flair. And, while it is fair to say that Ratatat does the genre justice, this album falls flat in terms of originality and "bite", for lack of a better word. It feels too mild and safe, where I feel Ratatat certainly has the instrumental chops to attempt a more ambitious project. Despite this, Magnifique is a worthwhile album, especially for fans of the band.… Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »