Policy
by Will Butler
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Mar 10, 2015
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 13, 2015
    60
    Policy is enjoyable enough, but one hopes that for its follow-up, Butler takes time to find the most accomplished realisations of his material.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Mar 10, 2015
    60
    The running theme here is a giddy release--the Buzzcocks-style guitars and dark jokes about commitment in "What I Want," the helium-gospel rush of "Witness"--packed with care.
  3. AllMusic
    Mar 10, 2015
    60
    While Butler may have the chops to captain his own ship, he'll need to put some more water behind him before he can successfully steer the beast into port.
  5. PopMatters
    Mar 10, 2015
    60
    Policy is a quaint and breezy record that just happens to sound exactly like what it is--an Arcade Fire solo effort.
  6. Exclaim
    Mar 9, 2015
    60
    It may take Butler a few more albums (he has promised in interviews to continue writing and recording as a solo artist for years to come) to carve out his own identity from the monolithic entity he's a part of, but there are plenty of plausible ideas on Policy for Butler to continue exploring.
  7. Clash Music
    Mar 5, 2015
    60
    Although there's nothing exactly groundbreaking here, Policy packs plenty of personality and attitude.
  8. Consequence
    Mar 4, 2015
    58
    Policy may just be too slight to be successful, forcing its shortcomings to be amplified even if there are, in fact, many things to enjoy about this record.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 18, 2015
    50
    Unsurprisingly, Policy is a much smaller affair than his primary band's titanic statements on death, God, and 21st century malaise.
  10. Blurt Magazine
    Apr 14, 2015
    40
    Policy is actually all over the musical map.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 31
  3. Negative: 2 out of 31
  1. imthenoob
    Mar 10, 2015
    8
    Short, sweet, and to the point. Will proved that he simply isn't a tag along for a great band, Arcade Fire. He proved through out the albumShort, sweet, and to the point. Will proved that he simply isn't a tag along for a great band, Arcade Fire. He proved through out the album that musically and vocally he is talented. It's a short album (only 8 songs with a little over 30 minute run time) but surprisingly very good.… Full Review »
  2. Dartboard
    Mar 11, 2015
    8
    Sometimes the songs plod, sometimes the lyrics are... overly ridiculous. But this album knows what it is, knows what it wants to do, and doesSometimes the songs plod, sometimes the lyrics are... overly ridiculous. But this album knows what it is, knows what it wants to do, and does it well. "Sing to Me" and "Anna" are stellar tracks; they prove Will Butler can and has come into his own as an artist. Definitely recommend giving it a listen or two. Butler is one to watch.… Full Review »
  3. BeauFuller
    Feb 19, 2018
    9
    Fun short and to the point.Fun short and to the point. Listen to it.… Full Review »
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