Relaxer
by Alt-J
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 2, 2017
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 116
  3. Negative: 9 out of 116
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  1. MrMemeister
    Jun 3, 2017
    7
    A very consistent and focused project by Alt-J. Although on the first listen it might sound very flat at places, on later ones you'll notice heavy inspiration from artists like Radiohead and Imagine Dragons. It starts off very strong with "3WW", a very calming and melodic song in the first half becoming more layered in the second, and "In Cold Blood", a melo-dramatic arena-sized epic. WhatA very consistent and focused project by Alt-J. Although on the first listen it might sound very flat at places, on later ones you'll notice heavy inspiration from artists like Radiohead and Imagine Dragons. It starts off very strong with "3WW", a very calming and melodic song in the first half becoming more layered in the second, and "In Cold Blood", a melo-dramatic arena-sized epic. What follows those two is sometimes wonderful and sometimes mixed. "Deadcrush" is a moody track, led by eerie vocals and a crushing bassline, while the cover of "House of the Rising Sun" is a slog that only accomplished to sound different than the original. "Adeline" and "Last Year" are generally quiet, spacious tracks, while "Pleader" is a great closer, with a choir and strings at the forefront. All things considered, Relaxer is a worthwhile album, although maybe a bit short for Alt-J fans.
    Favourites: "3WW", "In Cold Blood", "Deadcrush"
    Least Favourites: "House of the Rising Sun"    … Expand
  2. TheFreeman148
    Jun 3, 2017
    7
    definitely a unique album BUT what I find most fascinating is the musical style in relation to the album artwork. The artwork is ripped straight from an obscure Playstation video game called LSD and if you are familiar with the game, the music in this album COULD be put into the game without anyone noticing. If anyone wants a seriously trippy, unique, and seriously strange experience godefinitely a unique album BUT what I find most fascinating is the musical style in relation to the album artwork. The artwork is ripped straight from an obscure Playstation video game called LSD and if you are familiar with the game, the music in this album COULD be put into the game without anyone noticing. If anyone wants a seriously trippy, unique, and seriously strange experience go watch some videos of that game and maybe put some ALT-J in the background.. truly freaky stuff!… Expand
  3. YT_Guyyy
    Jun 2, 2017
    9
    This album is one of alt-J's more consistent albums. It's short, and sweet. The lyrics are great, and the music is more upbeat than their previous material. Were I to say a problem with this record it would be their version of House of the Rising Sun; it's a little boring.
  4. Orli_Aguilar
    Jun 5, 2017
    9
    Una mezcla de moods/tracks que son un mundo con propia vida cada uno y muy distintos entre sí, sin embargo tan buenos que dan la impresión de suceder con mucha velocidad, creando la sensación de una entrega sólida.
  5. MissMac
    Jun 29, 2017
    10
    What a fantastic album, definitely one of the best albums I have listened to this year. I was blown away, it is positive, upbeat and definitely a strong recommendation for the masses. I absolutely loved everything about it. Started off strong & maintained throughout. I can't wait to listen to it again, and again.
  6. Music_Observer
    Jun 11, 2017
    7
    A nice attention to detail in the deliverance of the sound as well as the crucial harmonic structures rounded out a cool and pleasant work, but more prominence and direction within the exposed melodic layers would have made it even greater. My Score: 132/180 (Solid) = 7.3/10
  7. AkumaJack
    Jul 4, 2017
    8
    Su relaxer:
    E' un bel disco, molto lento rispetto al resto che ho sentito degli Alt-J.
    Newman da prova di essere un ottimo cantante capace e il suono generale del disco è ottimo. Interessante la traccia di chiusura che fa pensare ad un inno religioso.
    I pezzi migliori sono però Deadcrush, 3WW e Adeline per me.
  8. Chef_On_Vinyl42
    Jun 10, 2017
    8
    The third installment in alt-J's already impressive discography has received mixed opinions from critics, with many leaning towards disappointment and boredom, previously unseen during the band's other releases. In my opinion, RELAXER feels like alt-J has chosen to opt for a more casual, fun and semi-experimental approach to their music. The short tracklist of only 8 songs spanning barelyThe third installment in alt-J's already impressive discography has received mixed opinions from critics, with many leaning towards disappointment and boredom, previously unseen during the band's other releases. In my opinion, RELAXER feels like alt-J has chosen to opt for a more casual, fun and semi-experimental approach to their music. The short tracklist of only 8 songs spanning barely half an hour seems to indicate this less serious and coordinated tone to the album. While 'Hit Me Like That Snare' has received the most backlash as the album's most 'laughable' and 'dismal' shortcoming of the album, the audio production, melodic style and lyrics alone from this track seem to picture this track more as alt-j having fun and kicking back from a more serious approach, oblivious and unperturbed from critical review.… Expand
  9. victoravenava
    Aug 8, 2017
    8
    Separate worlds colliding with a kind of hierarchy that builds up this cool piece of art, RELAXER. Instant classics like "3WW", "In Cold Blood" and "Deadcrush" mixed with soft and enchanting melodies about non-reachable love like "Adeline" and "Last Year". That cover of "House of the rising sun" adds a nostalgia-melancholy feeling that really rides my spine. A short album (39 min), yes,Separate worlds colliding with a kind of hierarchy that builds up this cool piece of art, RELAXER. Instant classics like "3WW", "In Cold Blood" and "Deadcrush" mixed with soft and enchanting melodies about non-reachable love like "Adeline" and "Last Year". That cover of "House of the rising sun" adds a nostalgia-melancholy feeling that really rides my spine. A short album (39 min), yes, but how green is their valley...… Expand
  10. gobitoe
    Jul 19, 2020
    7
    Personally I thought their last record was pretty long and boring... lots of instrumental tracks that didn't really serve any purposes.

    When I saw the short track list on this record, I was hoping to not get bored again so quickly. The album starts off very good, but the last 2 tracks are the weakest in my opinion. I was expecting more quality coming from an 8 track record. Don't get    Personally I thought their last record was pretty long and boring... lots of instrumental tracks that didn't really serve any purposes.

    When I saw the short track list on this record, I was hoping to not get bored again so quickly.

    The album starts off very good, but the last 2 tracks are the weakest in my opinion. I was expecting more quality coming from an 8 track record. Don't get me wrong, the other tracks are amazing and I think is some of their best work yet.    … Expand
  11. Totemic
    Oct 16, 2019
    7
    I came into this album expecting a lot, since I really liked their first 2 LPs, and coming out of it I wasn't all that impressed. Deadcrush and In Cold Blood stand out, Pleader's choirs are lovely and I personally love Hit Me Like That Snare, it's a really fun song right from the title, though I see why others wouldn't like it as much. But the other half of the album feels padded in lengthI came into this album expecting a lot, since I really liked their first 2 LPs, and coming out of it I wasn't all that impressed. Deadcrush and In Cold Blood stand out, Pleader's choirs are lovely and I personally love Hit Me Like That Snare, it's a really fun song right from the title, though I see why others wouldn't like it as much. But the other half of the album feels padded in length to compensate for it only having 8 songs. House of the Rising Sun is dull and disappointingly so, and Last Year has nice lyrics but it's kind of a pain to listen to, specially the first half.
    Overall, not a bad album but definitely a huge step down from their previous work.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. No Ripcord
    Jul 19, 2017
    50
    In Cold Blood follows and is excellent, with code-like vocals and a brass-funk cascade drenching a menacing chorus. Hit Me Like That Snare is alt-J flexing their nerdiness, and Deadcrush is great. The final three tracks of the record are painfully boring and terminally so.
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  2. Record Collector
    Jun 23, 2017
    20
    Alt-J’s retelling of this age-old tale of ill repute has less edge than a mesh sack of Babybel cheeses.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    Jun 19, 2017
    50
    It adds up to a disjointed, uneasy compilation of songs, with the band seemingly refusing to conform to expectation.
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