New Glow
by Matt and Kim
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Apr 7, 2015
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Under The Radar
    Apr 9, 2015
    70
    New Glow isn't start-to-finish fizz. The downbeat "I See Ya" offers some contrast as an emotional album closer, with Johnson acknowledging those who may not be present but still matter. Otherwise, however, you can drop the needle pretty much anywhere else on the record and land right back in the party.
  2. Alternative Press
    Apr 6, 2015
    70
    This 10-song effort will almost surely be a part of the soundtrack powering every block party, barbecue, summer shindig--and certainly toward the dance floor. [May 2015, p.98]
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  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Apr 28, 2015
    60
    New Glow has its moments, but you won't find it on many EOTY lists.
  5. Exclaim
    Apr 8, 2015
    60
    Beyond a few flaws, Matt & Kim have put together a fun record, and in the pop game, that comes first.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Apr 7, 2015
    50
    The cuteness starts to wear thin pretty fast.
  7. AllMusic
    Apr 6, 2015
    50
    The entire album has a general lack of excitement that could be Matt and Kim mailing it in, or taking one step too far toward the pop mainstream and losing the punkish edge that made their music pop like bubbles in a bottle of shaken-up soda.
  8. Pitchfork
    Apr 14, 2015
    46
    New Glow may be Matt & Kim’s most polished album, but their songwriting has never been more amateurish.
  9. The A.V. Club
    Apr 7, 2015
    42
    On New Glow, they’ve either finally dumbed things down too much, or simply reached the end of where this rudimentary songwriting can take them.
  10. Consequence
    Apr 6, 2015
    42
    While this blissful resistance to sophistication has always been present in Matt and Kim’s work in the past, on New Glow, they seem to have regressed even further from twee hallmarks like “Daylight” or “Let’s Go”.
  11. NOW Magazine
    Apr 23, 2015
    40
    Their fifth album, which is all hyperactive synth melodies and shrill sing-shouting in classic Matt and Kim style, sounds like it was smothered in thick syrup, drowned in glitter and then levelled out with soul-sucking effects for good measure.
  12. musicOMH.com
    Apr 13, 2015
    40
    If New Glow is anything to go by, the creative well seems to be starting to run dry.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15
  1. Mab_987
    Apr 16, 2015
    5
    Unfortunately M&K took a major nosedive here, succumbing to obnoxiously repetitive lyrics, a trashier less likable personality, and bad trapUnfortunately M&K took a major nosedive here, succumbing to obnoxiously repetitive lyrics, a trashier less likable personality, and bad trap beats. There's a flash of evolution here & there, but not enough to make the album worthwhile outside of curious fans.

    (For a longer, more in-depth review, look up "Spin It! Reviews" on YouTube.)    … Full Review »
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