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Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
by
Oil Of Every Pearl's Un-Insides Image
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 260 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length solo release for the Los Angeles-based Scottish electronic pop artist features songs co-written with Calia Thompson-Hannant (aka Cecile Believe).
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 15, 2018
    100
    Fractured, inconsistent, broken, torn, OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES aims toward the stylistic grandness of High Pop, and in that inconsistence, it achieves it. ... It’s incredible.
  2. The 405
    Jun 20, 2018
    90
    OIL’s resonance and bravery--underlined by its acutely mapped volatile and enrapturing production--is inspiring, and the conception and execution of its testimony remarkable.
  3. PopMatters
    Jul 12, 2018
    90
    In SOPHIE's most intimate work yet, she subverts pop motifs into the catchiest form of self-assertion, reminding us all of why pop music still matters.
  4. Spin
    Jun 15, 2018
    80
    Packed with more than enough ideas to constitute what’s still ostensibly a “debut album,” OIL OF EVERY PEARL’s UN-INSIDES pushes new limits of bombast only to settle into the same sort of razor-sharp, high-concept pop that’s worked for SOPHIE since the beginning.
  5. The Wire
    Aug 8, 2018
    80
    From its cryptic title to its discombobulating assemblage of stylistic approaches in the track listing, Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides is chaotic and disjointed. ... Bringing a range of seemingly contrasting elements together, SOPHIE has been problematising commonly accepted binaries since dropping the berserk dance pop of “BIPP” on Glasgow’s Numbers label in 2013. [Sep 2018, p.49]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 18, 2018
    80
    Crossing boundaries of pop music and chasing transcendence, SOPHIE achieves the rare feat of making abstract, difficult electronic music that hits you straight in the heart.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 18, 2018
    60
    Sophie’s defining hyper-minimalism has given way to a new lushness. While enduringly “other”, tracks like Infatuation and Pretending lack focus, and this wafty iteration isn’t as original as Sophie’s other modes.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. prestonhung
    Jun 15, 2018
    10
    OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES showcases SOPHIE's most alluring, interesting, fascinating, creative yet weirdest and most experimental side.OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES showcases SOPHIE's most alluring, interesting, fascinating, creative yet weirdest and most experimental side. Vocals may be sometimes overlaid by the intense production of the album though.
    Best Tracks: All
    Worst Tracks: None    … Expand
  2. itzysweetner
    Jul 2, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. reviewing sophie’s debut album (RIP SOPHIE)
    it’s okay to cry - 9 / 10
    ponyboy - 9.5 / 10
    faceshopping - 10 / 10
    is it cold in the water ? - 9 / 10
    infatuation - 9.5 / 10
    not okay - 9 / 10
    pretending - 8.5 / 10
    immaterial - 10 / 10
    whole new world / pretend world - 9.5 / 10
    overall: one of the best debut albums ever. the energy in the album is so infectious. favorite song is faceshopping / least favorite song is pretending    … Expand
  4. RobertB0
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    After SOPHIE’s breakthrough success in 2015 with PRODUCT there has been alot of anticipation for SOPHIE’s first full album, and did itAfter SOPHIE’s breakthrough success in 2015 with PRODUCT there has been alot of anticipation for SOPHIE’s first full album, and did it succeed. In my opinion, YES! This album embodies everything from dealing with your inner identity to lyrics about feeling fake and changing yourself. This album deserves all the success it achieves and more!… Expand
  5. tiaskye
    Jun 28, 2018
    9
    Despite not being cohesive with the transitions, OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES is an excellent, solid debut album from SOPHIE. With everyDespite not being cohesive with the transitions, OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES is an excellent, solid debut album from SOPHIE. With every listen, the songs on this album gets better and better. Amazing electronic, art pop production and fantastic sounds!… Expand
  6. nami2
    Jun 21, 2023
    9
    SOPHIE was an amazing musician and throughout this phenomenal piece of work her amazing production shone in bright colours. Her vocalsSOPHIE was an amazing musician and throughout this phenomenal piece of work her amazing production shone in bright colours. Her vocals throughout were gorgeous and while her lyrics throughout were quite minimal, I think it worked in the favour of this album which did not feel chained down by one specific genre. Throughout there were influences of hyperpop, pop, artpop, electronica, and ambient noise, this album truly highlighted SOPHIE's prowess as a producer and an auteur in her own right. She was taken too soon.… Expand
  7. lei
    Mar 31, 2019
    9
    You hear traces of Aphex Twin, Autechre and LFO and of course SOPHIE's own trademark sound. Her production just blows everyone else out of theYou hear traces of Aphex Twin, Autechre and LFO and of course SOPHIE's own trademark sound. Her production just blows everyone else out of the water. Cecile Believe's voice is excellent.… Expand
  8. clem666
    Oct 18, 2022
    5
    I can understand that many people can find some pleasure in listening to this album. It surely is unadulterated, bombastic, explosive andI can understand that many people can find some pleasure in listening to this album. It surely is unadulterated, bombastic, explosive and poetic in many ways. The transitions do have something mysterious and attractive.
    But to me it is more a majestic mess. I can't deny that I wasn't hyped or deliciously trapped in some melodies like on 'Is It Cold in the Water?' or on 'It's Okay to Cry'.
    But the rest appears to me as one of the most unstructured, raw and chaotic collections of varied sounds. 'Not Okay' is a perfect example: from a given moment, I just have the impression that Sophie is pressing random buttons on a synthesizer in a screaming silence. No pattern, no construction, no research, just a plain experience of disovering numerous sounds. The last double and endless track 'Whole New World / Pretend World' also is one of the cheesiest of the record. It is repetitive as hell, raw and unnuanced all along.
    I managed to discover a few parts where a previous collaboration or closeness with Flume shows up. Excepted that he is able to bring some coherence in the messiest tracks he offers. And that is what is lacking here in my opinion.
    Unfortunately, I wish there was more to discover or to be amazed by. So few replayability in addition to this.
    RIP SOPHIE    … Expand

See all 36 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Album of 2018
44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2018
64
#64 Most Shared Album of 2018