Reflektor
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Reflektor Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 620 Ratings

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  • Summary: The double album from the Canadian indie rock band was produced with James Murphy and Markus Dravs.
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Top Track

Porno
You take the makeup Off your eyes I've got to see you Hear your sacred sighs Before the break up Comes the silence I'm TALKING TO YOU You say you're... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 29, 2013
    100
    While the first disc winds its way sporadically through the humid alleys and hazy bars of a multi-dimensional shantytown, the second half explodes outward upon the magnificent vista of symphonic discotheque.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Sep 27, 2013
    90
    Reflektor is closer to turning-point classics such as U2's Achtung Baby and Radiohead's Kid A--a thrilling act of risk and renewal by a band with established commercial appeal and a greater fear of the average, of merely being liked.
  3. Magnet
    Dec 18, 2013
    90
    The double-disc, dual volume album that results is one that finds the Canadian seven-piece sounding liberated, from stylistic and budgetary constraints both. [No. 105, p.52]
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  4. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 24, 2013
    80
    It is exhaustingly, daringly, bafflingly brilliant, but you might want to lie down in a dark room after listening.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    Oct 28, 2013
    75
    The finish provides a slow comedown from the buzz of the album’s first half--which by itself ranks with Arcade Fire’s best, most challenging work. The textural experiments of Part 2 can’t keep pace.
  6. No Ripcord
    Nov 7, 2013
    70
    Reflektor hits too many high points to entirely consider it a failure, and despite its convoluted lyrical content and overreaching scope it still crosses the double album finish line with satisfactory results.
  7. Clash Music
    Sep 30, 2013
    40
    ‘It’s Never Over’ is this band’s best TV On The Radio impression, and ‘Porno’ almost goes G-funk: a pleasant surprise. But undercooked electronics, impotent rhetoric, too-familiar crescendo-ing structures and an overall feeling that this needs further post-production attention render Reflektor an entirely substandard album.

See all 48 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 109
  3. Negative: 1 out of 109
  1. Uger
    Oct 29, 2013
    10
    The best summary of modern music in two quite different discs. Various feelings is going to rip you apart while you consume this masterpiece.The best summary of modern music in two quite different discs. Various feelings is going to rip you apart while you consume this masterpiece. Hint: listen it at least 3 times before judging… Expand
  2. jayman69
    Oct 29, 2013
    10
    This album blew me away, for I was afraid I wouldn't love it with some nasty low scores bandied about. What a beautifully layered transitionThis album blew me away, for I was afraid I wouldn't love it with some nasty low scores bandied about. What a beautifully layered transition and amazing song to song structure. Can Arcade Fire ever miss the mark? Perfectly timed change up of sound with James Murphy....who knew this would work? For those giving this low scores....shame on you! This is magestic musicianship at it's peak and bravo for any artists challenging themselves and it's listeners. The Suburbs was great, if you want The Suburbs II don't come a knocking, but if you crave something more, well, then come on in...… Expand
  4. ApexCactus
    Nov 1, 2013
    10
    I you claim to be a Music lover, this is the kind of music you should be listening.
    Its a wonderful experience from start to end, its    I you claim to be a Music lover, this is the kind of music you should be listening.
    Its a wonderful experience from start to end, its emotional, exiting, its a dream come true, The Great Arcade Fire did it again, and perfectly.    … Expand
  5. KING-X
    Nov 1, 2013
    9
    Good to hear that AF doesn't repeat itself like other artists and each album sounds different! Some of the tracks are longer then usual butGood to hear that AF doesn't repeat itself like other artists and each album sounds different! Some of the tracks are longer then usual but it's a good thing when it comes to good songs!… Expand
  6. imthenoob
    Dec 25, 2021
    9
    This is definitely a slow burn to me. I wasn't much of a fan of it at first but over time, I have grown to really enjoy it as much as I haveThis is definitely a slow burn to me. I wasn't much of a fan of it at first but over time, I have grown to really enjoy it as much as I have their previous 3 albums. The only reason I don't give it a 10/10 is that there are a couple of songs (Flashbulb Eyes, Supersymmetry) that I really didn't like.… Expand
  7. DennisFuller
    Feb 2, 2014
    8
    To open an album with a 7 and a half minute track would be akin to writing a
    book with a 100 page first chapter. An ambitious move by the    To open an album with a 7 and a half minute track would be akin to writing a
    book with a 100 page first chapter. An ambitious move by the Canadian (Montreal)
    sextet on their fourth LP entitled “Reflektor”. They are, however, not new to
    breaking the norm, being as the founding member and lead singer Win Butler
    attended art school at McGill University in Montreal, where the band also calls
    home. The title track “Reflektor” calls for near duet-like harmonies between Butler
    and the bands female singer, Regine Chassagne, whom happen to be happily
    married as well. Their ability to blend their voices and harmonize so well together
    is a testament to their musicality and theat they’ve been together over 10 years as a band.. The rest of the band offers the rest of the instrumentation up, which without there would be no “Reflektor” at all. Multi-instrumentalists Will Butler (Win’s little brother), Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury, and percussionist Jeremy Gara offer up the rest of the sounds created on this record. With the addition of the beautiful, yet-sparse (compared to previous albums) string arrangements by Owen Pallett, the
    soundscapes of the double-album of 13 tracks create a sonic landscape for one to
    dance, daydream, experience love, and tragedy. The tear jerking strings on “awful Sound” alone are worth every penny spent on the entire album. Word to the long time fans of The Arcade Fire: don’t expect the run of the mill, traditional Arcade Fire album we are all used to and love. The band is breaking new ground, instead of recreating their Grammy Album of the Year winning album “The Suburbs”, taking cues from their arena-rock predecessors U2 in the song “Afterlife”, Nirvana in the grunge-tinged “Normal Person”, and LCD Soundsystem with “It’s Never Over” & “We Exist”. The latter 2 songs display the heavy influence from LCD Soundsystem’s front man James Murphy, and his production credits on 11 of the 13 tracks on the album. The album runs a tad bit long, a whopping 75 minutes to be exact, but is a must have for any long time fan of Arcade Fire, or any fan of arena-style indie rock with a touch of dance to it.    … Expand
  8. Herecomesyourma
    Oct 30, 2013
    0
    Has to be the most overrated album I have heard in a long time. I loved arcade fires first two albums, the suburbs was decent but a bit longHas to be the most overrated album I have heard in a long time. I loved arcade fires first two albums, the suburbs was decent but a bit long and drawn out. They have tried something different with this album which i have nothing against but this simply isn't enjoyable listen to. Every single song could be cut by three minutes. Once you think your enjoying one song it drags on for no apparent reason for another three minutes. The only critical review i agree with is clash. Very disappointing.… Expand

See all 109 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2013
29
#29 Most Shared Album of 2013

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