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
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Magnet
    Mar 12, 2015
    85
    Policy shows that Will is more than capable of getting the kids to wake up. [No. 118, p.53]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The A.V. Club
    Mar 10, 2015
    83
    This is a terrific opening volley from a musician seemingly just beginning to tap an overflowing surfeit of songwriting riches.
  3. Mojo
    Apr 21, 2015
    80
    Policy is a dazzling execution of one man's crazed vision. [May 2015, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 9, 2015
    80
    Policy is twitchy and endearingly ramshackle, channelling the can-do spirit of early-80s indie and the affability of Jonathan Richman.
  6. Spin
    Mar 9, 2015
    80
    This is the birth of Will Butler, solo artist, whose career seems just as woozily unpredictable and captivating as that of his "day job."
  7. DIY Magazine
    Mar 6, 2015
    80
    Every song has its own character, with each one further clarifying Will as a great musician and songwriter in his own right, as though there were any doubts.
  8. The Guardian
    Mar 5, 2015
    80
    They’re all terrific songs.
  9. NOW Magazine
    Mar 5, 2015
    80
    The grand aesthetic that makes Arcade Fire such a force is on full display. But compared to last year's plodding AF album, Reflektor, Butler gets to the point so much quicker.
  10. Q Magazine
    Mar 3, 2015
    80
    It's a quintessential extra-curricular album, straining every which way, but an excellent and oddly coherent one. [Apr 2015, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Under The Radar
    Mar 6, 2015
    75
    ["Sing to Me" is] a small blemish on a record that is as refreshing for the listener as it is for Butler himself.
  12. Pretty Much Amazing
    Mar 4, 2015
    75
    A harmless, infectious rock record that channels the sounds and concerns of a more innocent, less technologically complicated time.
  13. Paste Magazine
    Mar 10, 2015
    73
    When Butler isn’t taking cues from the music he grew up with, he’s more prone to wander around in just-nice-enough piano balladry. But when he is, he ends up with something which seems to bear his own identity more than it could otherwise.
  14. musicOMH.com
    Mar 10, 2015
    70
    In sum, there’s enough varied, interesting and accessible material here to make Butler’s sonic manifesto worth paying attention to.
  15. The 405
    Mar 6, 2015
    70
    He never carves out a distinctive sound for himself, opting instead to show off the breadth of his musical abilities--it's impressive, yes, but noncommittal.
  16. Slant Magazine
    Mar 3, 2015
    70
    On Policy, he proves that he's worth more than playing second or third fiddle.
  17. Uncut
    Mar 2, 2015
    70
    A ramshackle, frequently over-the-top barrage of familiar rock tropes appropriated in the service of an unmitigated romp. [Apr 2015, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  18. Alternative Press
    Mar 2, 2015
    70
    Policy feels a bit too plotted, too controlled. The best moments come when Butler loosens his grip a bit. [Apr 2015, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 2, 2015
    70
    Policy is a gloriously unhinged sprawl of a record, but fittingly for the man who constructed sparse piano tech-paeans for the soundtrack to Spike Jonze’s 2013 movie Her, the downbeat moments resonate, too.
  20. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 2, 2015
    70
    Although the sometimes scattergun approach to genre-hopping has its drawbacks, what’s great about Policy is the future possibilities it allows Will Butler.
  21. Pitchfork
    Mar 6, 2015
    66
    Policy's highlights maintain a precarious balance between classicism and cataclysm, but the album often tips too far in either direction.

User Reviews

All reviews »
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 »
See all user reviews »