The Neon
by Erasure
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2020
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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  1. PopMatters
    Aug 20, 2020
    90
    Music may not by itself cure all these ills, but the virtue of superb electropop is that it helps make them seem a bit less insurmountable.
  2. AllMusic
    Aug 20, 2020
    80
    The Neon is stacked with what Erasure does best: Sharp melodic hooks, efficient, hip-shaking beats, and yearning lyrics that both relate and motivate.
  3. Mojo
    Aug 20, 2020
    80
    There's nothing here to shock or surprise, but that's a major part of the attraction and Erasure remain a guiltless pleasure. [Sep 2020, p.91]
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  5. Uncut
    Aug 20, 2020
    70
    Erasure has yet to really match the duo's early imperial phase, but here Andy Bell and Vince Clarke dish out the cosmic showstoppers with all the elan of their 30-year-old selves. [Oct 2020, p.31]
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  6. Consequence
    Aug 20, 2020
    67
    The Neon delivers mostly carefree synth-pop comfort food calibrated to appeal more to our feet and our hearts than our already overtaxed brains. The record is certain to thrill devotees and potentially catch the ear of an unsuspecting Release Radar listener or two; whether we’ll still need it once these current hard times end remains to be seen.
  7. musicOMH.com
    Aug 21, 2020
    60
    The album may not carry the sort of dance-fused electro-pop magnificence they’ve made before, but moving away from the more ‘expected’ type of pop song you think of when Erasure crops up in conversation seems to have worked wonders.
  8. Pitchfork
    Aug 21, 2020
    58
    The Neon nestles the duo back into their musical comfort zone when they’re exceedingly capable of more.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed Album of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 6 out of 20
  1. ChristianAberle
    Dec 11, 2020
    7
    The sound and production of "The Neon" is warm and deep. Vince manages to create a vibe with the classical analogue synthesizers he uses, thatThe sound and production of "The Neon" is warm and deep. Vince manages to create a vibe with the classical analogue synthesizers he uses, that is ancient and current at the same time. While the melodies, lyrics and musical structure of the first five tracks bore me to death, I find track 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 breathtakingly beautiful. Vince´s instrumental interludes are enchanting and Andy´s vocals are intense and tender, even when he overreaches his vocal range, as in "Kid You´re not Alone". The minimal imperfection and struggle in his voice makes this outstanding track even more precious and fragile. I bought the vinyl and whilst the a-side remains practically untouched, the b-side is on heavy rotation on my record player. In megalomaniac moments I like to image Vince and Andy did the b-side for me only, as few music critics and even less fans seemed to give the b-side tracks much attention in their rewiews. After song number five I was sure Erasure had really blown it that time, but "Tower of Love" made that my ears pricked, "Diamond Lives" lifted me up, "New Horizons" gave me goosebumps, "Careful What I Try to Do" electrisized me completely and "Kid You´re Not Alone" blew me away and complete took me in.
    The unscrupulousness with which Erasure have always ignored the borderline between good and bad taste fascinates me. It gives their sending an honesty that is unique. So they were my most beloved guilty pleasure ever since the 1980´s, although the athenia and dullness of albums as "Other People´s Songs" or the awful "Tomorrow´s World" really disappointed me. For me real sweetness and energy first reemerged on "Snow Globe" and came into blossom in the energetic "Violet Flame". "World be Gone" has some wonderful tracks, especially the slow, experimental stuff, but altogether it´s lure vanishes with the time. "The Neon" whereas is kind of power- and joyful. What really captures me for the album is the confidence and placibility that radiates even from the weakest songs of the album - practically the record´s a-side except "Fallen Angel". One can really feel that they still enjoy what they do after all that time. Erasure developed a sound that is so unmistakable and singular that I find it nearly ridiculous when it is called "retro". They just always continued in their own manner; in times when they were celebrated pop stras and also when they wer dropped and their sound was mocked as pimped up Schlager. I am happy to see that Vince does more and mor receive the recognition and respect he deserves, also by music critics and hipsters. Andy is pure love and that is that. And he looks sweet with a full beard, if I might menshion that.. Menshioning the visual: Even the artwork of the new album is decent and atmospheric; an unexpected pleasure, after I resigned myself to accept that the "packaging" of their albums usually give me the shivers, especially in the last twenty years.

    "Not alone we live this life forever / And marvel at our being / And as sure as day becomes the night / We come around and find our way through darkness".
    Yes, you do.    … Full Review »
  2. lamiaofthelake
    Nov 11, 2020
    3
    Very disappointing, and I love their earlier work a lot. None of these songs have particularly strong hooks nor any unique sounds. None wouldVery disappointing, and I love their earlier work a lot. None of these songs have particularly strong hooks nor any unique sounds. None would make it on a modern dance floor, ultimately, It's all very forgettable.… Full Review »
  3. victor455
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    What is this? Если бы мы знали но мы не знаем не знаем как это было на вершине
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