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Ratchet
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Ratchet Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Nick Sylvester, Shamir Bailey
  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the Las Vegas dance-pop artist was produced by Nick Sylvester.
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  • Record Label: XL
  • Genre(s): Electronic, Rap, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Club/Dance, Alternative Dance, Alternative Rap
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

On the Regular
Hi, hi, howdy, howdy, hi, hi While everyone is minus, you can call me multiply Just so you know, yes, yes, I'm that guy You could get five fingers... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    May 20, 2015
    90
    Ratchet is one of the most purely pleasurable records I’ve heard so far this year, and one of the strongest debuts in several years.
  2. Chicago Tribune
    May 19, 2015
    88
    Ratchet refines the rawness of the EP only slightly, its punky minimalism echoing some of the outsider edginess evinced by early '90s house innovators such as Green Velvet.
  3. AllMusic
    May 18, 2015
    80
    Ratchet is a fully realized, entertaining portrait of an artist who knows where he's from and where he's going.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    May 15, 2015
    80
    Shamir is unquestionably the star, but the interplay between artist and producer is palpable; it’s a musical match made in heaven (or, perhaps, hell: Sylvester has likened his role to the relationship between the poet Virgil and his protagonist Dante), and the finest moments here have Sylvester providing the trampoline for Shamir to bounce on.
  5. Boston Globe
    May 19, 2015
    80
    n album of movement that reaches toward the sublime.... Ratchet meanders a bit near the end, but its haze also mirrors the slow awakening that marks the end of a night spent reaching for dance-floor ecstasy.
  6. Q Magazine
    May 29, 2015
    80
    Mostly this debut sidesteps the freakish in favour of pop immediacy. [Jul 2015, p.113]
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  7. Uncut
    May 15, 2015
    50
    This one needed longer in the incubator. [Jun 2015, p.81]
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See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. atmosphericrex
    May 27, 2015
    9
    An incredibly fun album, Shamir's Ratchet is a great escape from the pretentiousness of modern indie music. It is what it is, and what it isAn incredibly fun album, Shamir's Ratchet is a great escape from the pretentiousness of modern indie music. It is what it is, and what it is is really fun to listen to.… Expand
  2. FragileLamplite
    May 22, 2015
    8
    A quirky, likable and disco-infused ride that points towards a bright future for the Las Vegas based artist, who seems to have a clear visionA quirky, likable and disco-infused ride that points towards a bright future for the Las Vegas based artist, who seems to have a clear vision of his career, as well as the confidence to make it a reality.… Expand
  4. bruzrs
    Apr 10, 2017
    8
    “Ratchet” is really impressive for its irreverence and funny element combinations. Shamir knows how to play, in almost every single track,“Ratchet” is really impressive for its irreverence and funny element combinations. Shamir knows how to play, in almost every single track, with disharmonies and turn them into an original and strong stylized artwork. An excellent debut statement that leaves us excited for what else he has to offer.… Expand
  5. EMGC
    Mar 9, 2016
    8
    This is an album, and an artist/group, that deserves much more attention than they’re currently getting.

    Also, I still hate character    This is an album, and an artist/group, that deserves much more attention than they’re currently getting.

    Also, I still hate character minimums......    … Expand

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