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Settle Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 183 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut release for the British electronic duo of Guy and Howard Lawrence features guest appearances from AlunaGeorge, Eliza Doolittle, Sasha Keable, London Grammar, Ed Macfarlane, Sam Smith, Jesse Ware, and Jamie Woon.
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Top Track

Latch
(Never) You lift my heart up When the rest of me is down You, you enchant me Even when you're not around If there are boundaries I will try to... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Jun 3, 2013
    100
    An album that perfectly epitomises the new wave of house music--and may even be its peak.
  2. Jun 10, 2013
    90
    Nothing on Settle is left wanting. Disclosure’s debut full-length, after a series of tight and well-curated EPs, has high points as high as any record this year.
  3. Jun 10, 2013
    87
    It’s one of the most gleeful and replayable debuts of 2013.
  4. May 31, 2013
    80
    There’s nothing very new about the sound, but there’s a freshness and intelligence in the Lawrence brothers’ discovery of it.
  5. Jun 3, 2013
    80
    It's the fact that Disclosure make bookish, aurally factual electronica sound so carefree that makes Settle such an artistic success.
  6. 75
    It’s hard to imagine a more inviting dance record being released in 2013.
  7. 20
    Now, it appears to have been reduced to simply a checklist of familiar sounds and effects, harnessed to the dullest beats imaginable, and dependent on outside collaborators for interest.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Mar 5, 2014
    10
    I totally hated this album when i first heard it. I didn't understand what the fuss is all about. Then it received many accolades fromI totally hated this album when i first heard it. I didn't understand what the fuss is all about. Then it received many accolades from numerous music critics, so i decided to give it a second chance.

    I started discovering a track here and a track there that were really amazing. "Latch" and "Defeated No More" made me really wanna get up and dance.

    Then i took notice of "Help Me Lose My Mind", and i fell in love with it. And finally i re listened to the entire album, and was totally captivated by it, particularly by "F For You", "Second Chance", "You & Me", and "Boiling".

    I love how the album was like a journey to me. I'm really excited for Disclosure and can't wait for their new work.
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  2. Feb 21, 2014
    10
    Dear Brits: please don't stop what you're doing. Young British brother duo Disclosure knock the music world off its socks with theirDear Brits: please don't stop what you're doing. Young British brother duo Disclosure knock the music world off its socks with their groundbreaking garage debut album "Settle," proving to the world that it's the Brits, not the Swedes, who will elevate the electronic dance genre to the artistic potential it's meant to reach. "Settle" is sexy, slick, stylish, and impeccably produced – imagine the robot from the Svedka advertisements got a degree in music theory and teamed up with early 2000s Daft Punk to create the hottest album of 2013. The beats are never laid too thick. On the contrary, they act as pulsating beds for the powerful vocals that carry each track. Disclosure establish a remarkably minimalist yet complex sound that dominates the album but never overwhelms any individual track. You won't find any other album like it, and if "Settle" is any decent indication of the future of EDM, then I am all ears for 2014. As for the future of Disclosure – well let's face it, with a debut this commanding, they're set.

    FINAL SCORE: 100 (perfect)
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  3. Jun 4, 2013
    10
    One of the most ground-breaking achievements of 2013. These British musicians infuse multiple genres, and hand-pick vocals so potent, theyOne of the most ground-breaking achievements of 2013. These British musicians infuse multiple genres, and hand-pick vocals so potent, they will make anyone jump out of their seat and start dancing. Every track brings something new, yet uses the remnants of previous tracks (much like the Australian group The Avalanches). A very awesome album indeed. Expand
  4. Apr 22, 2014
    9
    A surreal experience that only groups like Disclosure can offer you is where you're on throughout this amazing album. The best piece of HouseA surreal experience that only groups like Disclosure can offer you is where you're on throughout this amazing album. The best piece of House work by far! Expand
  5. Oct 29, 2015
    9
    Disclosure jumps out of the crowd with bursting originality and sound. Dance and Electronica come together in an almost perfect harmony,Disclosure jumps out of the crowd with bursting originality and sound. Dance and Electronica come together in an almost perfect harmony, however this album loses interest around the middle with somewhat dull songs, but picks up afterwards. Expand
  6. Jun 5, 2013
    8
    A dance album that you can actually enjoy in its entirety. No reason to cherry pick tracks here. Disclosure have created a thoughtful andA dance album that you can actually enjoy in its entirety. No reason to cherry pick tracks here. Disclosure have created a thoughtful and surprisingly sure-handed debut that will be on a few Top 10s at the end of the year. From track to track there is nothing here that hasn't been done before, but they is rarely a miss. I look forward to the band's future projects and would love to see them progress from here. It wouldn't hurt to see other groups or electronic producers take note and consider making albums with this much kinetic synergy. Expand
  7. Jun 18, 2013
    6
    It is not bad. Not bad at all. But it lacks innovation and some "freshness". It is a highly eclectic album, picking the best from differentIt is not bad. Not bad at all. But it lacks innovation and some "freshness". It is a highly eclectic album, picking the best from different genres of electronic music but it fails to bring something new to this not-very specific selection. It is also too long with repetitive tracks which are mostly worsened by guest vocals. Boys are at their best when they are doing songs by themselves. Expand

See all 22 User Reviews

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