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Nine
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Nine Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

  • Summary: The ninth full-length studio release for the pop-punk trio features production by John Feldmann, The Futuristics and Tim Pagnotta.
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Top Track

Happy Days
Hey kid, don't quit your daydream yet I know you feel locked out in the cold Seems like you're lost and alone Hey kid, don't listen to your head It... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 19, 2019
    80
    A spiritual follow up to 2003’s ‘Untitled’, ‘Nine’ sees the trio as confident adventurers. Dealing with the ideas of despair, loneliness and longing, the record doesn’t shy away from the shadows but you’re never far from a dash of hope.
  2. Kerrang!
    Sep 19, 2019
    80
    On Nine it feels like the band are finding a new lease of life in the dark days of 2019. [4 Sep 2019, p.53]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Sep 30, 2019
    80
    The album is pretty much a joyride from start to finish, moving through a number of different styles, driven by some of the best damn drumming you’ve ever heard. And everyone involved in writing these songs (yes, including Feldmann) is a talented lyricist who knows how to craft excellent pop songs. So ultimately, it’s a brilliantly fun album if you have the fortitude to look past a lot of very annoying studio effects to listen to what Blink-183 are really saying.
  4. AllMusic
    Sep 19, 2019
    70
    While Nine is by no means a dour emo record, it carries enough emotional heft to elevate it as one of blink-182's strongest late-era efforts, one that matures the typical blink sound with its commitment to vulnerability and honesty.
  5. Pitchfork
    Sep 30, 2019
    52
    It’s surprising how well the new sound works, though the voice of Skiba doesn’t always mesh comfortably with the production. As always, angst and unrequited affections are aplenty, but it all feels far too tame.
  6. Consequence
    Sep 19, 2019
    50
    Blink-182’s second album with Matt Skiba is ultimately subpar, weighed down by stereotypical lyrics and cloying choruses. Producers John Feldmann and Tim Pagnotta’s heavy use of compression makes NINE as in-your-face as possible, not giving the songs the necessary breathing room to develop without overproduction.
  7. Exclaim
    Sep 19, 2019
    30
    Nine reeks of adolescence — and not in the goofy, humorous way of Blink-182's past, but in a cringe-y attempt at youthful angst. There are no slyly couched bits of wisdom, no life lessons learned between goof-ups and heartbreak, and it's altogether too earnest and self-serious to even be enjoyed as carefree fun. Blink-182 have always been intentionally juvenile, but in growing up and out of punk rock, they've never been more immature.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 48
  3. Negative: 14 out of 48
  1. Margherita
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Every song, lyrics and sound is particular and different. The album is really significant. Good job Blink-182.
  2. Brettaintdead
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    I'm just happy blink is still releasing music some 20+ years later . I had to Google where to buy a physical CD , God damn I'm old . Less punkI'm just happy blink is still releasing music some 20+ years later . I had to Google where to buy a physical CD , God damn I'm old . Less punk more pop , which I'm ok with .… Expand
  4. RamenPleb
    Sep 20, 2019
    9
    Blink 182 has released a dark, pop rock album for the ages. Driven by it's sweltering synths, slow burning guitar, addictive choruses and MattBlink 182 has released a dark, pop rock album for the ages. Driven by it's sweltering synths, slow burning guitar, addictive choruses and Matt Skiba's impressive screamy vocals. This album has the blink like catchiness and pop punk sensibilities to grab hardcore fans and the poppy production to please the mainstream market.

    Blink's last effort was a step down from 2011's Neighborhoods. Travis Barker's usually laser deadly drumming was almost brought down by the lackluster production and overall safeness if the album. Nine is a huge step up in that regard. This album feels as if it's a modern take on 2003's Untitled with the same experimentation found on tracks like No Heart To Speak Of and Heaven but with more crisp production and scattered 808s. Travis's drumming is typical Travis, which is a HUGE complement. The latin and hip hop inspired grooves are fresh and his fills are as quick as usual. Matt Skiba truly found his place on this album however. His vocals are some of the best vocals I've ever heard from him tied with the Alkaline Trio song Radio. The emo screams are just perfect to my ears. The riffs are catchy and simple, very blink like.

    Mark's not the best singer, but he still does good on the album. His melodies and simple but effective lyrics tug at all the right heartstrings.

    Overall, this album is my favorite so far for 2019. I really like this album with it's impressive vocals and diverse instrumentation. Every song is enjoyable for me, some more than others. For me, this is a 9/10, rivaling classic blink with the quality.    … Expand
  5. gollygee93
    Sep 26, 2019
    8
    If you are expecting to need a dictionary to find the definitions of words being used in the songs you are listening to, don't listen to thisIf you are expecting to need a dictionary to find the definitions of words being used in the songs you are listening to, don't listen to this album. This is the closest Blink has come to Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. A really fun album that spotlights how Blink was created and gets them back to their roots. A lot of catchy tunes with Travis Barker continuing to kill it on the drums.… Expand
  6. aems5150
    Sep 20, 2019
    6
    It's just...okay. Unlike California, the songs do hold up a little better, but like California, it's production is absolutely awful. I wishIt's just...okay. Unlike California, the songs do hold up a little better, but like California, it's production is absolutely awful. I wish they would ditch Feldmann, and they could probably make a much better album. Mark is underselling himself in terms of his songwriting ability. +44 shows what he's capable of, and this just kinda sounds like a shell of his former self. Matt Skiba is definitely the highlight of this album and saves it from being completely uninteresting. I will say Heaven, Black Rain, Pin the Grenade, and No Heart to Speak Of are pretty damn good, though.… Expand
  7. JordanLayton
    Apr 30, 2020
    2
    If "California" was the nail in blink's coffin, this album is the band's buried rotting corpse spasming around in said coffin, occasionallyIf "California" was the nail in blink's coffin, this album is the band's buried rotting corpse spasming around in said coffin, occasionally scrounging out one or two decent tracks thanks to the still-functioning spine (Travis), but mostly just spittling out any soulless mess it can to show it's still alive.… Expand
  8. Bounty
    Sep 27, 2019
    0
    Plus qu'une déception, une désillusion totale, une claque dans la face qui fait pas du bien, presque des larmes de désespoir...
    J'ai grandi    Plus qu'une déception, une désillusion totale, une claque dans la face qui fait pas du bien, presque des larmes de désespoir...
    J'ai grandi avec ce groupe, je suis devenu qui je suis ( aussi rien du tout que je sois) en les écoutant, en les vénérant presque. Ils ont toujours compté comme mon groupe N°1. J'ai adoré tous leurs albums, y compris California, Neighborhoods, et bien sur le self titled...
    J'ai été heureux en écoutant Blink 182, j'ai versé des tonnes de larmes également, leurs morceaux ont accompagnés tellement de moments dans ma vie... Tristesse ou joie, il y a toujours eu du Blink pour m'accompagner.
    J'ai assisté 3 fois à leurs concerts, jetais dans la fosse au plus près à chaque fois, j'étais heureux. J'ai écris leurs noms et coller leurs stickers, porter leurs vêtements...
    Voila pour décrire ce que je ressent(ais) vis à vis de ce groupe.

    Nine n'est pas un album de Blink, et je ne sais pas ce que c'est.
    J'ai même plus la force ou l'envie de l'écouter.
    Quelle honte.

    Je fuis vers des groupes qui ne balancent pas leurs hardcore fans à la benne.

    Adieu Blink 182.    … Expand

See all 48 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2019

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