Painting of a Panic Attack
by Frightened Rabbit
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Apr 8, 2016
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Apr 14, 2016
    85
    This is still the Frightened Rabbit we all know and love, as gloomy as we last heard from them.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 4, 2016
    85
    A combination of new life experiences, that allow Hutchison to weave more vivid tales of mourning, nostalgia and, ultimately, triumph, and the shot in the arm that is Aaron Dessner giving the band that little bit more has helped to create an album that could rival Midnight Organ Fight.
  3. Record Collector
    Apr 22, 2016
    80
    The scruffy Scots have taken a more polite approach with this one, but Hutchison’s ability to touch the listener’s nerves hasn’t suffered and the result is musically uplifting; a well-crafted testament to the band’s song-writing abilities.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 7, 2016
    80
    Painting of a Panic Attack, like previous albums, can get a bit mired in wistful, midtempo soul searching, but it's by far the most immediate and inclusive collection of songs that the band has laid to tape to date.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Apr 6, 2016
    80
    It [Die Like A Rich Boy] is a poignant conclusion to what often feels like a cathartic record; one that will take you on a wonderful rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows.
  7. Clash Music
    Apr 5, 2016
    80
    It’s a wonderful record, one to wrestle with, one that lingers at odd moments of the day and night. Allow it to seek you out.
  8. Mojo
    Mar 29, 2016
    80
    Painting Of A Panic Attack is easily FR's strongest album in years. [May 2016, p.89]
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  9. The Skinny
    Mar 29, 2016
    80
    A record made up of excellent songs, with a few great ones chucked in to raise the bar.
  10. The A.V. Club
    Apr 8, 2016
    75
    A lonely and haunted record, Painting Of A Panic Attack doesn’t soar like much of Frightened Rabbit’s catalog, instead taking its time to explore the mind’s darker inner rooms.
  11. Consequence
    Apr 6, 2016
    75
    Painting of a Panic Attack may sound bigger and thematically a little more mature, but any fans who were worried that happiness on the West Coast might change Hutchison’s relationship with his art can breathe a sigh of relief.
  12. The 405
    Mar 29, 2016
    75
    Painting Of a Panic Attack, while not their best release musically, may well be their most emotionally mature.
  13. PopMatters
    May 4, 2016
    70
    Painting of a Panic Attack is Frightened Rabbit dressed up as The National for Halloween. It’s a nice change, but still very much the band fans have come to love.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. NavyBean
    Apr 23, 2016
    9
    Feels a bit softer than past releases, but it sounds great. Growing on me with each new listen. "Get Out" "Woke Up Hurting" You canFeels a bit softer than past releases, but it sounds great. Growing on me with each new listen. "Get Out" "Woke Up Hurting" You can definitely feel Aaron Dessner of The National's influence as producer. Notably on the drums.… Full Review »
  2. Duke_Challenger
    Apr 17, 2016
    4
    I really love The Midnight Organ Fight (9.5/10), Pedestrian Verse (9.5/10), and The Winter of Mixed Drinks (8.5/10). All albums feel distinctI really love The Midnight Organ Fight (9.5/10), Pedestrian Verse (9.5/10), and The Winter of Mixed Drinks (8.5/10). All albums feel distinct lyrically and musically. After 3 great albums and a decent side-project for Scott Hutchison (Owl John), the band has stopped making instrumentally pleasing songs. Scott's lyrics are still really good. However, I did not find a single song on here to be interesting. A lot of them are actually really slow too.

    The music almost sounds like The National which is no coincidence since their guitarist/primary songwriter helped produce the album. I believe Boxer by The National is a perfect album, but their following albums have all sounded the same and uninspired. So in hiring a songwriter who writes the same music over and over again, you are probably not looking to be pushed as a band to create something unique.

    However, it could be that Frightened Rabbit has just lost the creative spark like every band eventually does. Overall, I am really disappointed.    … Full Review »
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