Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows
by Damon Albarn
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 3 out of 20
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ricko
    Jan 27, 2022
    7
    The majority of albums I have listened to involving Damon Albarn, there is a mix of songwriting genius and self indulgent nothingness. He rarely makes a bad record but equally there always seems to be a few plodding tracks that end up going nowhere to be found. This is once again the case on "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows". There are some spectacular songs, some onlyThe majority of albums I have listened to involving Damon Albarn, there is a mix of songwriting genius and self indulgent nothingness. He rarely makes a bad record but equally there always seems to be a few plodding tracks that end up going nowhere to be found. This is once again the case on "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows". There are some spectacular songs, some only really shine through after many listens. Then there are a few others songs that lack anything memorable but are made interesting with some ambient background instrumentation. Ironically, after his recent Taylor Swift comments, it seems when viewed next to his work with other projects, Damon Albarn's solo albums suffer from a lack of a collaborator or foil on which to work with.… Expand
  2. daichislvt
    Jan 24, 2022
    0
    incredibly disappointing record, i was shocked to learn that only TWO of the songs on this album were self-written when he goes around giving unwanted criticism towards artists who are best known for their songwriting.

    moreover, the 2 or more songwriters on each but two songs could manage to produce something so fundamentally disappointing that at certain points it seemed like the    incredibly disappointing record, i was shocked to learn that only TWO of the songs on this album were self-written when he goes around giving unwanted criticism towards artists who are best known for their songwriting.

    moreover, the 2 or more songwriters on each but two songs could manage to produce something so fundamentally disappointing that at certain points it seemed like the record was challenging justin bieber's ringtones album "changes" for the biggest ear cancer hazard i have ever experienced.

    in other words, it's a skip and a half.    … Collapse
  3. kurono84
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    One of the most beautiful albums of the year. Damon albarn does not stop and has returned to release a round album. 10/10
  4. NousGpdess
    Nov 20, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If this is what a pandemic produces then everyone should go into lockdown. This is one of the most beautiful albums I've heard in a while. Well done Damon. Well done.… Expand
  5. AlexNorman2000
    Nov 14, 2021
    10
    I'm not a big fan of Damon but it's so beautiful and inspiring an album that I was waiting for a long time to hear.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Pitchfork
    Jan 3, 2022
    73
    The album’s most affecting moments zero in on Albarn’s close relationship with nature, one built on trust and deference.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Nov 16, 2021
    80
    Unhurried and stark without being austere, The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows seems suspended from time but not place: as misty and evocative as it is, the music is grounded in a specific location, which gives this elegiac, enveloping album an emotional weight.
    Read full review
  3. Under The Radar
    Nov 12, 2021
    80
    With each rotation of the record, Albarn’s artistry allows for discovering new puzzle pieces in a masterfully crafted way.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »