Plunge
by Fever Ray
  • Record Label: Mute
  • Release Date: Oct 27, 2017
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 112
  3. Negative: 11 out of 112
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  1. gustavolsb
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    Plunge is a sonic immersion into joy and terror, love and sex, beauty and crudeness, humor and politics, with Karin's unique voice combined with rhythms and synths coming back and forth, intense melodies and intelligent lyrics. Definitely worth the wait.
  2. listener
    Nov 20, 2017
    4
    This just might be the most overrated record of 2017 so far. Not a disaster but nowhere near level of quality she once established on her legendary eponymous album. At times it makes me wonder am I listening to Fever Ray at all or some weird collection of The Knife outtakes and throwaways instead.There is only one song that really raise a pulse here and it's Red Trails (partially due toThis just might be the most overrated record of 2017 so far. Not a disaster but nowhere near level of quality she once established on her legendary eponymous album. At times it makes me wonder am I listening to Fever Ray at all or some weird collection of The Knife outtakes and throwaways instead.There is only one song that really raise a pulse here and it's Red Trails (partially due to gorgeous violin solo); when it finally kicked in I was like Hey Fever Ray where have you been for the last...35 minutes or so? And the less I say about lyrics-the better.… Expand
  3. CharlieGray
    Oct 30, 2017
    10
    What an incredible album after an 8 year hiatus. She came back stronger, ‘Plunge’ is a stronger, more cohesive and more accesible record, and it’s haunting all the way to the end.
  4. AntonioUchoa
    Oct 31, 2017
    8
    It is the first time listen Fever Ray and my reaction was good. I thought this record is so gloomy and “violent” (define violent as a record with strong beats and chorus sang quickly), and even claustrophobic. “Plunge” is eccentric and the electronic rhythm in the background is so vivid and clear, that for me is impressive/amazing. Loudly! Simply gorgeous.

    I enjoyed almost the whole    It is the first time listen Fever Ray and my reaction was good. I thought this record is so gloomy and “violent” (define violent as a record with strong beats and chorus sang quickly), and even claustrophobic. “Plunge” is eccentric and the electronic rhythm in the background is so vivid and clear, that for me is impressive/amazing. Loudly! Simply gorgeous.

    I enjoyed almost the whole album and I do not have many critics about. I could highlight two tracks that I did not like so much, “IDK about you”, “This Country”. Both of it has weak hooks, and for me, created a sort of confusion in the moment when I listen, it is annoying.

    Plunge is a marvelous album.

    Listen: “Wanna Sip”, “A Part of Us”, “Falling”, “Plunge”, “An Itch”.    … Expand
  5. bjorkaddict
    Nov 1, 2017
    10
    "Adorable" is the word that best suits this album. Karin brings a domestic, romantic and rotinary thematic in Plunge, yet achieving greatness when putting it to verse, something that few can do it (Kate Bush's Aerial, Bjork Vespertine's...) . As the self-titled reminds me of Silent Shout(2006) by The Knife, Plunge certainly has some similarities with Shaking the Habitual. The only "bad""Adorable" is the word that best suits this album. Karin brings a domestic, romantic and rotinary thematic in Plunge, yet achieving greatness when putting it to verse, something that few can do it (Kate Bush's Aerial, Bjork Vespertine's...) . As the self-titled reminds me of Silent Shout(2006) by The Knife, Plunge certainly has some similarities with Shaking the Habitual. The only "bad" thing in this album so far is that Karin Dreijer's unique, yet catchy vocals aren't put to their true potential. Overall, a solid 10.… Expand
  6. revillo
    Nov 3, 2017
    4
    Karin's body of work easily places her among the best living musicians. Normally, her ability to infuse disparate genres with transcendent melodies and progressive sound effects is god-like, but on Plunge it is merely human, or worse. She's too talented to make an awful album, but this is about as close as you could expect her to get to that. It's bland, grating and her sexual nausea seemsKarin's body of work easily places her among the best living musicians. Normally, her ability to infuse disparate genres with transcendent melodies and progressive sound effects is god-like, but on Plunge it is merely human, or worse. She's too talented to make an awful album, but this is about as close as you could expect her to get to that. It's bland, grating and her sexual nausea seems downright ordinary. I know she's been struggling with a real frustration about "what comes next" with her music and seemingly existence in general, but it's the duty of an artist to distill all that chaos into something affecting and beautiful, not to just puke it up.

    PS, did she rip off Edward Sharpe on Part of Us?    … Expand
  7. Music_Observer
    Dec 3, 2017
    6
    Even with an overall distinctive and cool use of synthetic sound, this work had little in the way of strength, with very dull pitch collections and melodic layers that were prevalent yet under-developed, leaving quality and enjoyment to be salvaged by the several points where vocals weren’t being featured. My Score: 117/180 (Good) = 6.5/10
  8. un1ty
    Nov 8, 2017
    8
    This sounds like it could have been the next work of The Knife.
    I didnt expect it to sound like this (especially after being hooked on the first record for a good amount of time) and i was definitely happily surprised.

    Thumbs up!
  9. gasoduto
    Feb 6, 2018
    0
    Energetic and different, but as dark as the first album. Short lyrics, but strong and full of meaning. From politics to intimate urges, Karin continues to amaze in her queerness, weirdness and uniqueness.
  10. chuck_d
    Dec 8, 2017
    9
    So very good. After the first album I had high expectations for this one, and i wasn't disappointed. Lots of very good songs on this album. Keep 'em comin' Karin.
  11. MariellyDewa
    Dec 12, 2017
    8
    ouvi o primeiro album dela e esse e posso garantir que o debut dela pisa sem sombra de duvidas mas plunge é um trabalho bem construido nos seus minimos detalhes
  12. prestonhung
    Mar 3, 2019
    9
    'Plunge' displays an exceptionally unique atmosphere for listeners. It discusses identity issues, relationship, love, and sex. 'Plunge' includes exciting tracks such as "Wanna Sip" and "This Country", both of which deliver strong messages and are the album's main highlights.
  13. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    7
    Innovative, weird sensual return. It's a thrilling adventure that takes sensuality ,politics and love. Stocked with strange beats and banshee vocals.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best Album of 2017
87
#87 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Mojo
    Jan 23, 2018
    80
    Piercing, heated, Fever Ray is taking no prisoners. [Mar 2018, p.97]
  2. Mixmag
    Jan 5, 2018
    80
    Peder Mannerfelt, Paula Temple and NÍDIA are among the producers who worked on ‘Plunge’, bringing 150bpm batida rhythms and searing rave stabs to one of 2017’s most thrilling LPs.
    Read full review
  3. Record Collector
    Jan 5, 2018
    100
    From Wanna Sip’s opening videogame blitzkrieg to the Blade Runner drones of Mustn’t Hurry, Plunge is a complete thrill.
    Read full review
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