• Record Label: Anti-
  • Release Date: Jul 13, 2018
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 97 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 97
  2. Negative: 11 out of 97
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  1. Jul 13, 2018
    10
    From the opening track onward, this album feels epic. Sunbather was my favorite album of 2013 and still one of my very favorites today, but in a sense I feel it sort've set them up to make the wonky album that was New Bermuda since they inherited the black label genre tag. It sort've forced them to make a more by-the-numbers black metal album, which later because New Bermuda. Fast forwardFrom the opening track onward, this album feels epic. Sunbather was my favorite album of 2013 and still one of my very favorites today, but in a sense I feel it sort've set them up to make the wonky album that was New Bermuda since they inherited the black label genre tag. It sort've forced them to make a more by-the-numbers black metal album, which later because New Bermuda. Fast forward 3 years later, and from the first couple singles released here, I knew this would be a hit. Sure it still has the black metal backbone, but really and truly this album goes and does whatever it wants. It shows they stopped caring about the genre tag and just started being themselves.

    "You Without End" is a spectacular opener in the realm of post-rock field recordings which experiments with ideas they had previously not really worked with, but it pays off and is a fantastic song. "Canary Yellow" shows just how far they have come, showcasing their extreme elegance and grace while still flaunting their dark and heavy roots at times. "Glint" may be their greatest song ever, definitely pulling inspiration from Sunbather, but a little more confident. "Near" is just absolutely compelling and gorgeous. "Worthless Animal" is an insane and beautiful conclusion. I could probably go more in depth, but that'll probably be a little later whenever I have more time. Every song here is wonderful and showcases beautiful, engrossing atmospheres without sacrificing any of the heaviness that many have expected from them. This is probably their prettiest album yet, though I still think Sunbather is their crowning achievement.
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  2. Jul 14, 2018
    10
    The fourth album from Deafheaven is another step into legendary status. More of the superb awesome music but with several twists, offering a fresh experience with vibrant, deep and moving sounds. Love them or hate them, your choice, but this band is here to make history.
  3. Jul 13, 2018
    10
    Whilst 'Ordinary Corrupt Human Love' doesn't quite exceed the sheer brilliance and genius of the bands past two albums (Sunbather & New Bermuda), it is certainly the bands most experimental and somewhat progressive release to date. Deafheaven still bleed their emotions into every note of each song on the album and whilst some elements and ideas do feel as if they could be developed on moreWhilst 'Ordinary Corrupt Human Love' doesn't quite exceed the sheer brilliance and genius of the bands past two albums (Sunbather & New Bermuda), it is certainly the bands most experimental and somewhat progressive release to date. Deafheaven still bleed their emotions into every note of each song on the album and whilst some elements and ideas do feel as if they could be developed on more (such as the song 'Night People'), it is definitely another step in the right direction for this incredible band that refuses to settle on one sound. Expand
  4. Jul 13, 2018
    10
    Again, OCHL pushed forward a band that already was one of the most inventive bands of its genre, but this time they found new ways of experimentation with their original melodic take on black metal, creating one of the most original experiences I've ever had in the genre, delivering maybe their best record yet (difficult to say because Sunbather is the classic of the decade at this point).
  5. Jul 28, 2018
    3
    Good for a metal album, but too noisy and inhuman for a music album.
    I agree that this album is an experience, but not a healthy one.
    And it's a pity to say that this album is one of the best of this year, as there are lots of good albums out there.
  6. Jul 18, 2018
    4
    Not convinced at all by this album. New Bermuda was so excellent, i was expecting something in the same vein; Unfortunately, this album is not achieving to be as powerful as their previous effort. Too much reverb, too much dream pop, too much FM metal!
  7. Sep 11, 2018
    9
    One of rock/metal albuns for 2018? Yes! As always, band brings news in one more album. More focused in melodies and guitar phrases, it's almost like Ordinary Corrupt Human Love flirt with classical metal, but without leaving being Deafheaven. A band that must be listened album by album.
  8. Jul 16, 2018
    10
    Such an impressively well balanced and paced album from start to finish.
    Both captivating and immersive it's hard to stop listening to.
  9. Jul 15, 2018
    10
    Utterly captivating and immensely beautiful. This is going to be on my end of year top ten for sure.
  10. Aug 24, 2018
    7
    A strong step forward for the band. After being a casual fan for a few years this album has caught my attention and feels like a good progression from their previous work. Definitely some unexpected stuff on here and quite a few surprising moments.
  11. Sep 15, 2018
    9
    Ordinary Corrupt Human Love has to be my favorite Deafheaven album to date. I was waiting for the day I could hear different vocals in their songs. It proves that they can make music outside of their comfort zone.
  12. Feb 22, 2019
    10
    This album is just beautiful. I've probably listened to it hundreds of times and I'm sure I will hundreds more.
  13. Apr 22, 2019
    9
    First time listening where I followed along with the lyrics:

    As one of the critic reviews stated, Deafheaven, without question, remains captivating with their latest album. It almost feels as if it picks up right where "New Bermuda" left off, with very similar and moving lyrical themes. To me, the album is great musically, but somewhat standard lyrically from "You Without End" to
    First time listening where I followed along with the lyrics:

    As one of the critic reviews stated, Deafheaven, without question, remains captivating with their latest album. It almost feels as if it picks up right where "New Bermuda" left off, with very similar and moving lyrical themes. To me, the album is great musically, but somewhat standard lyrically from "You Without End" to "Canary Yellow." Then, the album is not only great musically, but masterfully innovative lyrically from "Near" to "Worthless Animal."

    With "You Without End," my least favorite, but still a lush and solid track on the album, the lyrical themes from "New Bermuda's" "Come Back" are picked up, except in a much more post-rock, descriptive, and field-recorded way. I love the use of the shoggoth metaphor here to really tell the story that Clarke is trying to tell. This theme continues on "Honeycomb," an anthem that has some of the most interesting and bizarre poetry I've ever read through lyrics. It's so amazing how Clarke continues to tell the story of his wrongdoings, in the eyes of an oasis-like audience. I feel that "You Without End" and "Honeycomb" are a little redundant, but tell a compelling story with music and lyrics, nonetheless. "Canary Yellow" also has an amazing poetic flair to it, this time talking about how his wrongdoings, and the effects they are having on a deeply-loved one, are keeping him on a sailed path, instead of an ascending one. With "Near," where I feel the album becomes the most interesting, a nice transition is made into "Glint," now perhaps my all-time favorite Deafheaven track. "Glint" is such a perfect balance of lush music passages and minimal lyrics. On "Night People," this figure that has been the subject of Clarke's wrongdoings is seen from a more objective, and again, very poetic perspective, starting with seeing the subject as biblical, to seeing her sink through metaphorical black sand, to her decapitated head splashing metaphorical gold. Finally, "Worthless Animal," much like "Canary Yellow," and depending on the interpretation, presents a beautiful allegory about a child being confused in the face of delusion, and beating down the also-confused source of those delusions. A really gripping and sad ending to a beautiful album.

    Deafheaven has delivered another classic, on-par with "New Bermuda" and "Sunbather."
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  14. Mar 24, 2021
    10
    They go back to "Sunbather" territory, with more complex drums, bass and melody. With more post-rock passages, a dream pop song, a collaboration... their most accesible album to date. It's pretty solid. My real rating is 97/100.
  15. Mar 1, 2022
    10
    Every song from this album is amazing (My Favorite being worthless animal). After seeing a live show of Deafheaven I can confirm it is one of my favorite albums and would love to see another album like it in the future.
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Jul 31, 2018
    80
    On OCHL they’re keen to take risks, side step that familiar territory and play with the formula. That consistent need to innovate and grow is what makes Deafheaven so divisive, so unpredictable and so extraordinary.
  2. Jul 25, 2018
    70
    Ordinary Corrupt Human Love is a waypoint in an increasingly divided world of niche cultures and categorisations, and it’ll capture the imaginations of those secure outside their comfort zones while further alienating detractors. Mission accomplished.
  3. Jul 24, 2018
    80
    With its intermittent clean vocals, abundant alt-rock solos, and near-constant warmth, Ordinary Corrupt Human Love qualifies as Deafheaven’s most accessible effort thus far, not to mention one of 2018’s most universally-palatable collections of heavy music.