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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. DavidWasHere
    Aug 1, 2017
    6
    As someone that is an alt-J fan, I was excited to hear what the group was cooking up. Unfortunately it's a mix bag. While cutting back the songs and run time sounded like a good idea (which was my big issue with their last record, This is All Yours, an album I liked but was weighed down by bland filler tracks), unfortunately this album has a huge problem with inconsistency. With two reallyAs someone that is an alt-J fan, I was excited to hear what the group was cooking up. Unfortunately it's a mix bag. While cutting back the songs and run time sounded like a good idea (which was my big issue with their last record, This is All Yours, an album I liked but was weighed down by bland filler tracks), unfortunately this album has a huge problem with inconsistency. With two really good songs on here, In Cold Blood and Adeline (maybe 3WW), the rest of the song are either just boring and drifts aimlessly (Last Year and their agonizing cover of House of the Rising Sun) to good ideas but with horrid ideas (Deadcrush with those awful high pitch vocals and the closer Pleader being all over the place), or just flat out not being good (Hit Me Like That Snare being a poor attempt to do another Left Hand Free), RELAXER is pretty underwhelming.

    With that being said, I am being forgiving because the composition (at times) and instrumentation are fantastic as usual, shifting with the band's trademark of odd and genre-fusing styles to at times being cinematic (the exception is Hit Me Like That Snare of course), which is why I'm being a bit more forgiving with my score    … Expand
  5. scepticpurple
    Jul 15, 2017
    6
    As connoisseurs of the bizarre, Alt J's success has largely arisen from their ability to meticulously amalgamate the avant garde with with enough of a sense of reality to form outlandishly unorthodox but bewilderingly catchy melodies, of which sadly, Relaxer has an unfortunate lack of, and with a startlingly short track list this only shows all the more. Relaxer is by far Alt J's mostAs connoisseurs of the bizarre, Alt J's success has largely arisen from their ability to meticulously amalgamate the avant garde with with enough of a sense of reality to form outlandishly unorthodox but bewilderingly catchy melodies, of which sadly, Relaxer has an unfortunate lack of, and with a startlingly short track list this only shows all the more. Relaxer is by far Alt J's most ambitious and individual album yet, but one that perhaps, is just a little too atypical for anyone but their most devout fans to truly enjoy.… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. EatYoga
    Jun 6, 2017
    5
    I was so excited to see them release a new album, but on my first listen, I was a little disappointed. The album is going for a slower pace, more calming relaxing sound overall, which I didn't really enjoy from them. All songs are alright, but only In Cold Blood is really good, and feels like a true Alt-J song. 3WW and Deadcrush also stand out, but the other songs just don't reallyI was so excited to see them release a new album, but on my first listen, I was a little disappointed. The album is going for a slower pace, more calming relaxing sound overall, which I didn't really enjoy from them. All songs are alright, but only In Cold Blood is really good, and feels like a true Alt-J song. 3WW and Deadcrush also stand out, but the other songs just don't really differentiate themselves and make the album tedious for me to listen from start to finish.

    This is definitely their worst album. As an overall album, its ok, and I wouldn't mind owning it, or having it play in a restaurant or coffee shop while I'm there, but as an Alt-J album, it was disappointing.    … Expand
  11. 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.
  12. Copperknob
    Jun 5, 2017
    6
    Alt-J is a English indie band that everyone I know has been recommending me to listen to but never knew where to begin. I kept asking myself “should I listen to An Awesome Wave or This is All Yours?” but now their brand new album ‘Relaxer’ is out now I decided to give it a listen without listening to their discography and knowing what genre they are. (The only Alt-J related thing i’veAlt-J is a English indie band that everyone I know has been recommending me to listen to but never knew where to begin. I kept asking myself “should I listen to An Awesome Wave or This is All Yours?” but now their brand new album ‘Relaxer’ is out now I decided to give it a listen without listening to their discography and knowing what genre they are. (The only Alt-J related thing i’ve listened to is a YouTube video called ‘How To Write a Alt-J Song’)

    The opener ‘3WW’ begins with a calm atmospheric instrumental making me waiting for the vocals to kick in, and boy was I not expecting the clean transition when the vocals come in.

    The 2 track that stands out to me was ‘Hit Me Like That Snare’, which has a David Bowie vibe, and ‘Last Year’ with it’s deep lyrics and also referencing another track ‘House of The Rising Sun’ (“Augustus came and stabilized me with my father's bane, relieving drug die as a poem”). The closer ‘Pleader’ is the most experimental out of the whole album, sounding like i’ve just walked into a church which they did well but the song itself isn’t exactly my favourite.

    Overall I've heard this record is very experimental compared to the others and I can imagine that, this was a fun project to listen to with it’s ups and downs!

    Good: In Cold Blood, Hit Me Like That Snare | Least: Pleader, 3WW    … Expand
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.

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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