Shangri La
by Jake Bugg
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 74
  3. Negative: 7 out of 74
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  1. suweor
    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 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.
  2. Teodoro
    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,Rick Rubin soube manusear esse menino.
    Tinha medo de ele vir com um péssimo album,mas veio com um tão bom quanto o primeiro.
  3. drderu
    Nov 19, 2013
    7
    Boy am I a bit confused with Shangri La. Not to dismiss it as a sophomore creative slump; Shangri La sounds rushed, more like a collection of b-sides and rejects that didn't make the cut of his impressive debut. A major letdown considering Jake Bugg set the bar so high and this new release doesn't seem to fill half the expectations left by that Mercury Prize nominated album. From theBoy am I a bit confused with Shangri La. Not to dismiss it as a sophomore creative slump; Shangri La sounds rushed, more like a collection of b-sides and rejects that didn't make the cut of his impressive debut. A major letdown considering Jake Bugg set the bar so high and this new release doesn't seem to fill half the expectations left by that Mercury Prize nominated album. From the reductive album cover to the overall too-glossy sound, Bugg treads the same musical ground but with no hit-ready material nor significant musical progression this time around. What's redeemingly evident here is Bugg's impressive songwriting that nonetheless will make him bound for pop greatness, and it just hasn't come to fruitation yet. Shangri La is still a solid album.… Expand
  4. JordanMeehan
    Nov 25, 2013
    9
    Fantastic follow up album from Jake Bugg, which I certainly wouldn't call a sophomore slump. While it certainly isn't the biggest leap forward in sound and subject matter, 'Shangri La' is still an extremely impressive album for someone so young, and who seems to still be finding his sound.
  5. Fenster89411
    Nov 22, 2013
    8
    Great second outing for Jake Bugg. For me the same as the first album as in there are tunes that just grab you and tunes that are growers. I cant believe some of the negative stuff in reviews from so called critics harsh to say the least. "wouldn't last more than a round on "American Idol." If I was Mr Bugg Id take that as a solid compliment. Trash talent show fodder he aint. onlyGreat second outing for Jake Bugg. For me the same as the first album as in there are tunes that just grab you and tunes that are growers. I cant believe some of the negative stuff in reviews from so called critics harsh to say the least. "wouldn't last more than a round on "American Idol." If I was Mr Bugg Id take that as a solid compliment. Trash talent show fodder he aint. only negative I do agree with one of the other users Rubin doesn't do it for me. I do prefer less production on his tunes.… Expand
  6. Mab_987
    Dec 26, 2013
    8
    This album contains some of my favorite folk rock songs of 2013. If you can get past his voice (which has a similar nasally charm as someone like Bob Dylan or Neil Young), he's a very talented songwriter that I hope gets as big here in the US as he is in the UK. A major difference between this this & what I've heard from his 2012 self-titled debut is the more frequent use of fuzzyThis album contains some of my favorite folk rock songs of 2013. If you can get past his voice (which has a similar nasally charm as someone like Bob Dylan or Neil Young), he's a very talented songwriter that I hope gets as big here in the US as he is in the UK. A major difference between this this & what I've heard from his 2012 self-titled debut is the more frequent use of fuzzy electric guitars. "What Doesn't Kill You" (which reminds me of something off Arctic Monkeys' debut) is a great example of that, as are songs like "Slumville Sunrise" & the rockabilly-like "Kingpin". At the same time though there are some great intimate & poetic folk tunes like "Me & You" or the mature breakup ballad "Kitchen Table". He also delves into 80's jangle-pop on "Messed Up Kids" & delivers a surprisingly effective power ballad (with pointed anti-power-ballad lyrics) in "A Song About Love" that I think could be his breakthrough hit in America if it's the next single. The lyrics are always solid too, mostly keeping a good balance between clear & poetic & throwing out messages of blunt social commentary, emotional unrest & morality. And even if you don't get what he's saying, they're still well-written enough to like without a complete dissection. If I had to point out any flaws he occasionally attempts a higher note out of his limited range, and I find "Pine Trees" pretty forgettable. But aside from that I really like each song here, and aside from that one they're all quite memorable.

    Top 5 tracks: What Doesn't Kill You, Simple Pleasures, Messed Up Kids, Slumville Sunrise, Kitchen Table
    Score: 83/100    … Expand
  7. josegmusic
    Dec 13, 2013
    8
    Jake Bugg repeats the formula that leaded him to success: folk electric guitars. However, it still makes it to the top, and it has a catchy sound that won't leave your head for days.
  8. raviopatra
    Nov 19, 2013
    9
    Jake Bugg might be young but he is a better musician than many other people claiming to be artists out there today. Following his much-praised debut efforts, "Shangri La" offers a collection of songs that make it really hard, at least for me, to believe this is delivered by a guy two years younger than me. "There’s a Beast and We All Feed It" is probably one of the most interesting indieJake Bugg might be young but he is a better musician than many other people claiming to be artists out there today. Following his much-praised debut efforts, "Shangri La" offers a collection of songs that make it really hard, at least for me, to believe this is delivered by a guy two years younger than me. "There’s a Beast and We All Feed It" is probably one of the most interesting indie rock/folk song I've ever heard for quite some times now. While I do feel like the album is slightly anticlimactic, I feel like the hype that has been surrounding the release was not exaggerated at all.… Expand
  9. jotaeseche
    Apr 13, 2014
    8
    Jake Bugg's created a curious and interesting atmosphere in this album, that can be heavy-fast-rocky at some moments, and deep and emotional at some others. His voice is really unique, as well as his lyrics and thoughts. And all the tracks are covered by a strong and steady melancholy that makes them all irresistible. He hasn't changed too much comparing to the first album, and it's clearJake Bugg's created a curious and interesting atmosphere in this album, that can be heavy-fast-rocky at some moments, and deep and emotional at some others. His voice is really unique, as well as his lyrics and thoughts. And all the tracks are covered by a strong and steady melancholy that makes them all irresistible. He hasn't changed too much comparing to the first album, and it's clear that he doesn't need to. He's doing it really well just the way he is.… Expand
  10. Renilson
    Nov 26, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Admittedly, I expected a great record. That was the least one would expect after hearing the first and eponymous Jake Bugg album. Actually, I was very surprised to learn that, just over a year later, he had enough to fill their second album, Shangri La, so called due to where it was recorded. Perhaps influenced by the producer, mr. Rick Rubin, the sound of Shangri La is different from the first album, something acceptable, since no assessment could be based on the difference in sound between two albums and changes are always interesting.
    The disc opens with the provocative "There's A Beast And We All Feed It". This is a brief introduction 1 minute and 43 seconds that contains the phrase "scared someone will tweet it", a clear reference to modern life. But the album begins in earnest with two singles [in reverse order of release], "Slumville Sunrise" and "What Does't Kill You" Rapid, forceful and succinct, they give the feeling that great songs come after and end up being a highlight of the disc. Both songs have great lyrics, and above all great choruses. Still speaking of these tracks, if in Jake Bugg the initial 4 themes were agitated and followed by three ballads, Shangri La begins with three agitated songs and a ballad: a reasonable "Me and You Yes, reasonable. And this is the problem: Me and You was not enough to overcome "Broken" or "Simple As This", the first significant decline from the first disc. Gets the feeling that something was missing, even though the legal letter. The work follows up his half with the great "Messed Up Kids" and "A Song About Love" The first one I liked best, tells the story of drug dealer Johnny and Jenny homeless girl showing the ability to Jake in storytelling, in this case probably referring to their land, Nottingham. The second is another interesting song where Jake says that only a song of love is not enough.
    But to my disappointment, the second half of the album opens with a weak song, "All Your Reasons", broken by the sound of guitars "Kingpin". But with all descends with Kitchen Table". Interestingly, the weak songs are the third and second longer. The acoustic "Pine Trees" I heard a few times until I reach the verdict. In it, Jake and guitar give the song that is closest to the previous album. I confess that hit a miss "Simple As This" and "Note To Self much as "Pine Trees" is not on the same level of those two of the album Jake Bugg. "Simple Pleasures" is similar to the previous significance, even though almost twice the length. Perhaps, therefore, sounded exhausting. "Storms Passes Away" and managed to finish an album that had everything to be amazing, but did not have the instant acceptance of your previous.
    I believe that Jake has confirmed its importance as a composer and vocalist while this was not enough to give your album debuts a continuation of the same or better quality. I gave to this an average of 7.5.    … Expand
  11. gildemi
    Dec 5, 2013
    10
    This album did not only blow away my expectations but will increase them for the next album. Jake Bugg expresses his song writing talents in each song on this album. His meaningful lyrics in songs such as Pine Trees and Kitchen Table show the real Bugg. Mr. Kennedy has done it again.
  12. MaxGuitarFan
    Jul 22, 2014
    7
    It may not be as great and fresh as it's predecessor, but Jake manages to explore his style and make the album diverse and fun. I can't wait for his next album.
  13. leehead
    Jun 18, 2016
    10
    I think that this album isn't worse than Jake Bugg 1st album, "Jake Bugg.". This album has many good songs for example at "A song alout", "What Doesn't Kill You".

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. PopMatters
    Feb 3, 2014
    40
    As much as the album’s production seems to (want to) suggest Bugg’s artistic growth, the songs, when you pick them apart, don’t show much in the way of maturation.
    Read full review
  2. 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]
  3. 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]
See all critic reviews »