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One Breath Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

  • Summary: The follow-up to the British singer-songwriter's Mercury Prize-nominated debut was produced by John Congleton.
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  • Record Label: Domino
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
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Top Track

Piece by Piece
I remember your silver ring On the black and white keys falling And the colour, the shape of your hand As you point at the paintings you don't... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Oct 4, 2013
    90
    Calvi is unquestionably a great performer, but on One Breath, her work reaches a level of nuance that the majority of contemporary music lacks.
  2. Oct 3, 2013
    80
    One Breath is a beautiful, atmospheric triumph.
  3. Oct 7, 2013
    80
    Calvi's less adventurous fans may find themselves at a loss as to how to process it all, but there's something both immaculate and broken about One Breath that ultimately transcends its more difficult moments.
  4. Oct 10, 2013
    80
    One Breath is a dynamic statement from a young woman who could very well be the next David Bowie or Nick Cave.
  5. Oct 14, 2013
    80
    Each song is coloured with a knowing intelligence and it all comes from her voice.
  6. Under The Radar
    Dec 4, 2013
    70
    [One Breath will not] take Anna Calvi out of the well-respected comfort zone that she currently inhabits. It is a striking and hypnotic record, laced with tension and talent, and bristling with a wide range of ideas. [Nov-Dec 2013, p.94]
  7. 60
    One Breath may not be a masterpiece but it does enough to suggest she has a chance of making one someday.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Jan 26, 2014
    10
    If first album was THE revelation of the year, One Breath is the alucination we needed. A wonderfull mix of energy, elegance, virtuosity, fromIf first album was THE revelation of the year, One Breath is the alucination we needed. A wonderfull mix of energy, elegance, virtuosity, from intimate to epic ambience, along all tracks with no exception. BEST album of 2013. Expand
  2. Oct 18, 2014
    8
    Anna Calvi is one musician who I hope shall take home the mercury prize, after all, its not every day an album as extravagantly, darkly andAnna Calvi is one musician who I hope shall take home the mercury prize, after all, its not every day an album as extravagantly, darkly and emotionally alive as this comes out. One Breath quite literally, takes your breath away. Expand
  3. Nov 4, 2013
    6
    Some interesting songs like Carry me Over (the best one), Cry and Sing to me showing some musical evolution, although Sing to Me soundsSome interesting songs like Carry me Over (the best one), Cry and Sing to me showing some musical evolution, although Sing to Me sounds cliché. Songs like "Love of my life", "Tristan" and "Piece By Piece" sound out of context. Expand
  4. Nov 24, 2020
    6
    I get a bit of a sense that this album is Calvi in cruise control and doesn't really build on her debut in any way. It's a good enough recordI get a bit of a sense that this album is Calvi in cruise control and doesn't really build on her debut in any way. It's a good enough record but far from her strongest (for that I would recommend 2018's "Hunter"). Half of the songs sound like they want to be James Bond theme tunes. Like all of her work there is a huge PJ Harvey feel off the record but at least she adds her own dimensions and a bit of drama with the orchestrations. You could certainly listen to worse. Expand
  5. Nov 9, 2013
    3
    Always the same kind of hipstery-chic albums praised by many critics while the music is dull boring and flat.
    Nothing happens, it's just
    Always the same kind of hipstery-chic albums praised by many critics while the music is dull boring and flat.
    Nothing happens, it's just generic rock soup all along. Come on, when was it good music? If i Had a choice between that and silence, I would choose silence.
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