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Real
by
Real Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length release for the alt-country singer-songwriter was produced by Joe Viers.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The A.V. Club
    Aug 19, 2016
    91
    By not shying away from writing about messy relationships, hard truths, and personal failings, she’s created an album with incredible emotional and lyrical resonance.
  2. Slant Magazine
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    Loveless manages to strike a similarly compelling balance of grit and pop throughout the rest of Real.
  3. Uncut
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    Loveless' songwriting on Real is sharp, economical and wickedly funny. [Sep 2016, p.77]
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  4. PopMatters
    Aug 18, 2016
    80
    The aptly titled Real gives listeners a satisfying and enlightening further glimpse into her world, one that will surely be expanding with thoughts waiting to be put to song for years to come.
  5. AllMusic
    Aug 19, 2016
    80
    Somewhere Else should make a point of giving Real a listen--at her best, she's quite simply as good and as brave a singer and songwriter as anyone working today, and Real finds her at the top of her game.
  6. Chicago Tribune
    Aug 10, 2016
    75
    The music is more refined than previous Loveless albums. With the exception of the sonic roar in "Same to You," the pleasures on Real turn on instrumental subtleties.
  7. The 405
    Sep 1, 2016
    50
    Her weary disposition begs for songs that are stripped down and reduced to their component parts--songs that don't fuss around. That's the problem--the fussing, the instinct to add more. It sounds like she's reaching for something, but she doesn't know what it is or where to find it.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. thatdeepbass
    Aug 19, 2016
    9
    If any artist can get away with calling an album Real, it’s Lydia Loveless — from her earliest work, her songs have always been smart butIf any artist can get away with calling an album Real, it’s Lydia Loveless — from her earliest work, her songs have always been smart but utterly fearless in their honesty about what’s happening in her head, heart, and soul. 2016’s Real is Loveless’ fourth album, and it’s her most mature and polished bit of studio craft to date. While most of Loveless’ music has walked a line between honky tonk country and raucous rock & roll, Real finds taking a few steps back from her twangy roots and embracing a more pop-oriented sound that still puts the emphasis on guitars but boasts a cool sheen that’s decidedly different than her sound on Boy Crazy or Somewhere Else.

    Loveless is a master lyricist, articulate and expressive without seeming forced or hitting a false note, and her vocals on Real are superb, less the work of a belter but still as passionate and eloquent as you could hope for. Anyone who wasn’t convinced that Lydia Loveless is a major artist by Somewhere Else should make a point of giving Real a listen — at her best, she’s quite simply as good and as brave a singer and songwriter as anyone working today, and Real finds her at the top of her game    … Expand
  2. Scraper
    Aug 19, 2016
    5
    These songs are technically good. Proficient song writing. Nice vocals. A teenagers dream. It's just not very original. It's kind of genericThese songs are technically good. Proficient song writing. Nice vocals. A teenagers dream. It's just not very original. It's kind of generic lyrically. And the production is high-gloss shine, allowing for no organic sounds, noises, throatiness, etc. I just can't seem to learn that critics praise everything that they've heard before if it's set up well. When you're an adult, it's hard to communicate with someone that their art lacks an essence drawn out by taking risks.… Expand
  4. narek1
    Aug 22, 2016
    1
    crap, she just saying a corny words with slow music, i'm 100% sure that I will not remember the name of songs from this album tomorrow, listencrap, she just saying a corny words with slow music, i'm 100% sure that I will not remember the name of songs from this album tomorrow, listen this only when you are on molly or something.… Expand

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