Return to the Moon
by EL VY
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2015
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 2, 2015
    60
    The appeal of this low-key grower lies in Berninger’s woebegone baritone, rubbing up against non-National music that is neither taxing nor obvious. There are feather-light shuffles here like Sleepin’ Light, or pretty, piano-led outings like No Time to Crank the Sun.
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Oct 30, 2015
    60
    While Return to the Moon is good, it’s not the momentous occasion the next National album is sure to be. It is, however, a refreshing change of pace for its well-defined members.
  3. Mojo
    Oct 27, 2015
    60
    Return To The Noon can seem too dense a construct to penetrate. [Dec 2015, p.88]
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  5. Record Collector
    Oct 16, 2015
    60
    EL VY provide a more synthetic, but strangely more earworm-riddled, sound that’s great for casual fans, but less emotionally demanding for hardcore Nationalists.
  6. Consequence
    Oct 23, 2015
    58
    It’s undoubtedly healthy for musicians to step outside of their main project to spread their wings and create something new. But in the end, the project reads as only a slight tweak on Berninger and Knopf’s established voices.
  7. PopMatters
    Nov 17, 2015
    50
    Too often, though, Return to the Moon seems stuck in place. It’s as if Berninger and Knopf are too relaxed for their own good; the album feels more tossed off than anything else.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Oct 26, 2015
    50
    Ultimately, the lows are too low, and the highs not high enough to justify either musician returning to the collaboration anytime soon.
  9. Pitchfork
    Nov 2, 2015
    48
    While there's nothing here that suggests Berninger and Knopf are truly incompatible, there's equally little evidence that Knopf's spirited arrangements are suited to Berninger's spotlight-gargling word soup.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. Beverlyrdgeese
    Oct 31, 2015
    10
    Fun album. Cool to hear Berninger's voice in front of funkier, poppier music than with The National. Really consistently good albumFun album. Cool to hear Berninger's voice in front of funkier, poppier music than with The National. Really consistently good album throughout. No Time To Crank The Sun, It's A Game, and Sad Case/Happiness are quite special tracks indeed. Grade: A… Full Review »
  2. Ricko
    Aug 22, 2016
    8
    I would guess that most people (like me) are checking this record out on the back of Berninger role as frontman of The National. Apart fromI would guess that most people (like me) are checking this record out on the back of Berninger role as frontman of The National. Apart from the unmistakable voice, EL VY are a completely different animal and of the 11 tracks on the album, I would say that only "No Time To Crank The Sun" is the only song that is reminiscent of The National. "Return to the Moon" has a feel of New Wave as well as garage rock. It doesn't bring anything new to either of those genres but is enjoyable none the less. More often than not, side projects are luxurys rather than necessities for members of bands who have made it big and you could say this about EL VY. "Return to the Moon" may not be crucial listening in a way that The National's best work is but having said this, there are songs present here that may never have seen the light of day with The National or with Brent Knopf's various work. That would be a shame. Enjoyable on many levels without being essential.… Full Review »
  3. Keztag
    Dec 5, 2015
    8
    Solid release, it's been on pretty heavy rotation since I got it. There are really no dud songs on this one.

    I was probably attracted to    Solid release, it's been on pretty heavy rotation since I got it. There are really no dud songs on this one.

    I was probably attracted to this album more from Menomena's Brent Knopf than the National's Matt Berninger since I know Menomena better. I'd say it has representative elements of each band and look forward to future collaborations.    … Full Review »
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