Meet the Humans
by Steve Mason
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Feb 26, 2016
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Clash Music
    Feb 23, 2016
    90
    Meet The Humans is not just his best solo release to date, but also arguably the finest album in which he has been involved full stop. Capable of moving and energising its audience in equal measure, Mason has refined his art to a remarkable extent.
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 26, 2016
    80
    Fans of any of Mason's earlier projects will find something to love on what is easily the gifted popsmith's best solo effort to date.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Feb 25, 2016
    80
    Meet the Humans is the most concise and immediate record Mason has released in over a decade.
  5. The Guardian
    Feb 18, 2016
    80
    Meet the Humans is overwhelmed by warmth, dispelling the myth that with tortured darkness comes great art. Produced by Elbow’s Craig Potter, it’s both tender--as on the dreamlike Through My Window--and triumphant.
  6. Q Magazine
    Feb 5, 2016
    80
    This restless, shape-shifting experimentalism might have been something Mason's been working on now for two decades, but it's rarely sounded better than it does here. [Mar 2016, p.118]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Mojo
    Feb 5, 2016
    80
    On his third solo album, Steve Mason veers dangerously close to that overfarmed damaged-earnest-sensitive-bloke territory, but luckily he doesn't seem capable of schmaltz or emotional cheap-shots. [Mar 2016, p.95]
  8. The Skinny
    Feb 5, 2016
    80
    These songs are strong enough to be recorded with minimal accompaniment and that instantly recognisible, hushed voice--but the best moments are when his love of electronica shines through.
  9. Uncut
    Feb 5, 2016
    70
    There's no shortage of melancholy here, but it's of an understated and universal kind. [Mar 2016, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Record Collector
    Feb 26, 2016
    60
    The element of smoothness cloaking the emotions could either impress the listener with its beauty or wash over them completely. The hit rate here perhaps isn’t quite high enough for the former, but the album deserves some attention for illustrating the exuberant joy of the black dog turning away from one’s door and walking on down the street.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Muddsjr
    Aug 14, 2016
    6
    the final track on hear is next to marvellous. With that familiar melancholy groan of Mason uplifted by dance beats and 80's synths, anthe final track on hear is next to marvellous. With that familiar melancholy groan of Mason uplifted by dance beats and 80's synths, an intriguing sign of the experimentation that made the last album Monkey Minds.. worth the time. Otherwise however, this constant spaciousness of Meet The Humans sound allows little for something more stripped and subtle such as what Boys Outside achieved, and you're still underwhelmed by the fact you're regardlessly still listening to Masons grumbling not-too-exciting lyricism for the best of time.… Full Review »
  2. PDSF
    Aug 10, 2016
    9
    Fans of this troubled but talented tunesmith can rejoice that he has made possibly his best album since the Beta Band's 3 EPs, which eighteenFans of this troubled but talented tunesmith can rejoice that he has made possibly his best album since the Beta Band's 3 EPs, which eighteen years later remains an indisputable classic. Meet the Humans retains all of the wonder, melancholy and mystery of his best work, but in a more accessible and linear way. Highlights include the poorly titled but otherwise great Water Bored, Another Day, Planet Sizes, Like Water, and my personal favorite, the lovely To A Door. When I first heard the Betas I thought immediately of Syd's Pink Floyd. This has the scope, grandeur and accessibility of Floyd's mature work, such as Wish You Were Here. Really a superior album and a bit of a surprise after the somewhat dissolute (but still terrific) Monkey Brains. Get it!… Full Review »
  3. thetoot
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    Steve Mason has been producing some fantastic work for some time now, but this album is an absolute cracker. Resonant of his Beta Band workSteve Mason has been producing some fantastic work for some time now, but this album is an absolute cracker. Resonant of his Beta Band work at its very best, this is one of my albums of the year so far.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »