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Reward
by
Reward Image
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the Welsh singer-songwriter features contributions from Huw Evans, Sweet Baboo's Stephen Black, Samur Khouja, Josh Klinghoffer, and Warpaint's Stella Mozgawa, and Josiah Steinbrick.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Quietus
    Jun 18, 2019
    100
    Reward is Cate Le Bon’s most emotionally astute record to date, and her melodic prowess is the strongest it’s ever been. With that, Reward sounds like a modern classic, because it has a longevity that very few records possess.
  2. Uncut
    May 21, 2019
    90
    Cate Le bon's terrific run of form continues with what must be her best album. ... She enchants at every turn. [Jun 2019, p.30]
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  3. The Line of Best Fit
    May 28, 2019
    90
    Reward shows Le Bon harnessing a reinterpretation all her own--stretching her range with layers of idiosyncrasies while remaining at the helm as one of today’s most sui generis anomalies.
  4. DIY Magazine
    May 23, 2019
    80
    The result is a deeply personal album, at once beautiful and mournful, and rarely straightforward.
  5. The 405
    May 24, 2019
    80
    Reward could easily exist in a decade long since past but become a hidden gem, along the lines of Linda Perhac’s Parallelograms or Vashti Bunyan’s Just Another Diamond Day. Thanks to streaming, far more people will be able to hear it.
  6. The Guardian
    May 23, 2019
    80
    Reward is appropriately titled. Give it time and it fully reveals itself, getting under your skin in the process.
  7. Paste Magazine
    May 22, 2019
    62
    Rather than fixing a steady gaze on our isolating and destabilizing present, Reward often taunts, pokes, glances, and winks--gestures that pester and provoke without leaving much of an impression.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. lovezero
    Jun 1, 2019
    10
    It grows on you as you loop . "daylight matters" ,"home to you", and "mother's mother's magazines" are the highlights on the album. DefinitelyIt grows on you as you loop . "daylight matters" ,"home to you", and "mother's mother's magazines" are the highlights on the album. Definitely among my 2019 best albums list.… Expand
  2. almotasim
    Jun 16, 2019
    9
    This is the album that Cate has been promising since Mug Museum: a flawless, complex collection of songs that nevertheless are so easy to singThis is the album that Cate has been promising since Mug Museum: a flawless, complex collection of songs that nevertheless are so easy to sing along (my three year old started to sing the chorus of “Daylight Matters” after the first time he heard it in the car). It is also an obvious companion to another of this year’s great records, the one she produced for Deerhunter.… Expand
  4. SurrealMcCoy
    Jul 9, 2019
    9
    Cate will rewire your brain, but only if you have the capacity. Odd time signatures and esoteric lyrics demand an astute listener to show upCate will rewire your brain, but only if you have the capacity. Odd time signatures and esoteric lyrics demand an astute listener to show up to the process. I feel rewarded.… Expand
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 10, 2021
    7
    Whether you like this or not you will never be able to say you've heard anything like it. The shattering of time signatures, weird awkward yetWhether you like this or not you will never be able to say you've heard anything like it. The shattering of time signatures, weird awkward yet brilliant bridges for even more otherworldly choruses. This is a fun listen that stays with you long after it's run. The use of vague but equally personal lyrics make it feel like you're watching an indie film that's as great as it is acclaimed and unknown. It feels secret. Had it not been for pitchfork and the somewhat distraught 'sad nudes' it would've been a shame not being affected by this. Favourites:mother's mother's magazines, daylight matters,home to you.… Expand

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21
#21 Best Album of 2019
60
#60 Most Shared Album of 2019

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