Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
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  1. 100
    If it's not quite the jump from Bob Dylan to The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, it's the closest recent equivalent, a prodigious rate of development for such a tyro talent, all the more remarkable for not being reliant on significant musical progression, so much as raw songwriting ability.
  2. Nov 15, 2013
    90
    On Shangri La he has captured everything cleanly and sparsely to really let Jake’s storytelling shine. The resulting exposure makes for a mature and remarkable album.
  3. Mojo
    Nov 21, 2013
    80
    The diversity and quality of his songwriting should be even harder to ignore on this second. [Dec 2013, p.84]
  4. Q Magazine
    Nov 21, 2013
    80
    It confirms the suspicion that Bugg really could go all the way to the top. [Dec 2013, p.106]
  5. Nov 18, 2013
    80
    Smug, smarmy, metropolitan critics might declare the album generic and derivative, but the kid undeniably has tunes--more tunes than such people have ever written even in their wildest rock star fantasies.
  6. As an exercise in expanded range, Shangri La is too diverse and distinct to dismiss.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Nov 15, 2013
    75
    [Bugg] mostly stays in the pocket of his Gatorade-ad-assisted hit "Lightning Bolt." [22 Nov 2013, p.64]
  8. Nov 19, 2013
    70
    At times his folkier moments can be a touch too comfy. He's best when he pushes at the confines of his throwback sound.
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 74
  2. Negative: 7 out of 74
  1. Jun 20, 2014
    10
    A crítica pode não ter o aclamado como aclamou seu album de estréia,mas o album não foi descepcionante,veio com mais guitarra,menos folk,RickA crítica pode não ter o aclamado como aclamou seu album de estréia,mas o album não foi descepcionante,veio com mais guitarra,menos folk,Rick Rubin soube manusear esse menino.
    Tinha medo de ele vir com um péssimo album,mas veio com um tão bom quanto o primeiro.
    Full Review »
  2. May 26, 2014
    3
    Jake Bugg loves to spout off about the superficiality of modern music while peddling social commentary so facile it makes Taio Cruz sound likeJake Bugg loves to spout off about the superficiality of modern music while peddling social commentary so facile it makes Taio Cruz sound like Chomsky. "The messed up kids are on the corner with no money/ Beautiful girls with eyes so dark beneath their sockets," whines Bugg, as if poverty was something he discovered after reading Junk in year 10. Jake Bugg claims to be an enemy of contemporary culture, but he's really an enemy of complexity and anything that isn't just bashing a guitar going "It's **** isn't it" ? Full Review »
  3. Apr 27, 2014
    10
    Nada más que decir sobre el álbum de Jake Bugg, Shangri La, ha superado totalmente mis expectativas, va de un tono más eléctrico en cancionesNada más que decir sobre el álbum de Jake Bugg, Shangri La, ha superado totalmente mis expectativas, va de un tono más eléctrico en canciones como Slumville Sunrise o What Doesn't Kill You a canciones como Simple Pleasures o Pine Trees o Kitchen Table, e incluso algo más country como Storm Passes Away. Sin duda de los mejores álbumes del año. Full Review »