Slowdive
by Slowdive
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 132 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 149
  3. Negative: 14 out of 149
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BrushedRed
    May 5, 2017
    10
    Album of the year 2017. Slowdive is one of my absolute favorite bands of all time, so I had high expectations for this release and was kinda afraid it wouldn't live up to them. Thankfully, it lived up to them and more. This album absolutely blew me away. Everything here is just perfect. Rachel and Neil's voices are just as ethereal as they were back in the 90's. I'll also say some of theirAlbum of the year 2017. Slowdive is one of my absolute favorite bands of all time, so I had high expectations for this release and was kinda afraid it wouldn't live up to them. Thankfully, it lived up to them and more. This album absolutely blew me away. Everything here is just perfect. Rachel and Neil's voices are just as ethereal as they were back in the 90's. I'll also say some of their very best work can be found on this album with "Slomo," "Don't Know Why," and "No Longer Making Time". This album is seriously too good. Highly recommend it.… Expand
  2. DavidWasHere
    Jul 26, 2017
    9
    As my first experience with a Slowdive record, I really dug this record. Granted I'm not sure if I still will after listening to the rest of their discography (which I will do) because I've heard from some fans this isn't up to snuff. But regardless, as of right now this is a fantastic shoegaze and dream pop record. Filled with breathtaking textured instrumentation and composition,As my first experience with a Slowdive record, I really dug this record. Granted I'm not sure if I still will after listening to the rest of their discography (which I will do) because I've heard from some fans this isn't up to snuff. But regardless, as of right now this is a fantastic shoegaze and dream pop record. Filled with breathtaking textured instrumentation and composition, Slowdive made a fantastic return to form here, doing what great atmospheric records should do and transports the listener to a dream-like world. It does peter out by the last two songs on the record, but still one enjoyable ride through the stars and skies!… Expand
  3. listener
    May 6, 2017
    9
    The best comeback album in recent memory.They somehow managed to sound totally fresh,vital and relevant despite 22 years of absence.Welcome back guys,we missed you.
  4. badgerfan21
    May 12, 2017
    10
    This is the best album of the year and I can't imagine another album taking its place. It's the first Slowdive album I've listened to so I feel like I come into this band fresh. There are moments on this album that are as good as I've ever heard in the shoegaze genre.
  5. germm
    May 9, 2017
    10
    First of all, I would find it strange that any non-fan would give this album a non-favorable review because in ways, it spans generations. But, if you are fan of Slowdive and you give the "Slowdive" album a thumbs down, well, that's just crazy. Frankly I'm surprised that a band can "disband" for 22 years and then make an album as genius as this.

    "Slowdive" will never get old, it    First of all, I would find it strange that any non-fan would give this album a non-favorable review because in ways, it spans generations. But, if you are fan of Slowdive and you give the "Slowdive" album a thumbs down, well, that's just crazy. Frankly I'm surprised that a band can "disband" for 22 years and then make an album as genius as this.

    "Slowdive" will never get old, it documents every phase of their past, and most of all, it brings shoegaze back to 2017. This album has my younger, non-shoegazer friends mesmerized. It's a very good, well-produced, hazy and distorted modern day masterpiece (yes...I said it...Masterpiece).    … Expand
  6. Ricko
    May 19, 2020
    8
    Hard to believe 22 years had passed between their last outing, the wondrous "Pygmalion" and this self titled return. As comeback albums go, it's a belter. It takes a bit of everything that Slowdive were all about and brings it into the late 2010's. The ghostly vocals swirling with the otherworldly, shimmering guitar tones. 8 songs spread across three quarters of an hour. A proper albumHard to believe 22 years had passed between their last outing, the wondrous "Pygmalion" and this self titled return. As comeback albums go, it's a belter. It takes a bit of everything that Slowdive were all about and brings it into the late 2010's. The ghostly vocals swirling with the otherworldly, shimmering guitar tones. 8 songs spread across three quarters of an hour. A proper album that you can soak your senses in. These guys are fast becoming my favourite shoegaze/dream pop band.… Expand
  7. frankrog29
    May 13, 2018
    8
    I am revising my earlier review of Slowdive's self-titled album. I gave it a 7 before. My main gripe was that I didn't like the slower songs as much as the faster ones. Having listened to this album for about a year now, I definitely like this album more than I used to. While I still prefer the faster songs, the slower songs are quite good in their own right.
  8. gizzmose10
    Aug 5, 2017
    10
    Slowdive returned with more to prove than most other bands Their early releases were well received but the (totally undeserved) backlash against them was one of the harshest of the 90s. This album is a triumphant return that refines their sound a little to focus on the songs and musicianship - giving the tracks more space to breathe - an influence of the ambient music that Neil bought intoSlowdive returned with more to prove than most other bands Their early releases were well received but the (totally undeserved) backlash against them was one of the harshest of the 90s. This album is a triumphant return that refines their sound a little to focus on the songs and musicianship - giving the tracks more space to breathe - an influence of the ambient music that Neil bought into their sound.
    From the indie pop of Stargazing to the sublime euphoria of Slowmo this is a beautiful album.    … Expand
  9. Dinfire
    May 7, 2017
    10
    Probably impossibly high expectations for this album, but I feel like it hits and eclipses them in many areas. If you look at this album on an even keel it's the best indie album of 2017 thus far and certainly a contender for Album of the Year in general. I've been listening to this album for three weeks now and like it more every time I listen to it. Essentially a mashup of all Slowdive'sProbably impossibly high expectations for this album, but I feel like it hits and eclipses them in many areas. If you look at this album on an even keel it's the best indie album of 2017 thus far and certainly a contender for Album of the Year in general. I've been listening to this album for three weeks now and like it more every time I listen to it. Essentially a mashup of all Slowdive's work that came before it (minus Just for a Day), there are shades of the anthemic pop stuff from Souvlaki and the electronic experiments of Pygmalion. Yet, somehow, it manages to have its own tone and style. If there are worthwhile criticisms it's that the rhythm section isn't as intricate as prior albums and the vocals can sound a bit wispy/over-processed at points, but otherwise, buy this album, put it on loop, and prepare for the goosebumps.… Expand
  10. Music_Observer
    Jun 8, 2017
    8
    Although tactically similar, these eight songs created some brilliant spaces topped off by surprisingly coherent and tuneful structures, and the congenial trance-like repetitions created an atmospheric, musically rich experience. My Score: 142/180 (Solid) = 7.9/10
  11. gstach23
    May 7, 2017
    10
    Great album after 22 years, the best tracks are 6. and 7 .Outstanding multi-layer guitars, excellent spatial production together with ingenious compositions is the optimal idea for the success of the long awaited album. By contrasting with the productions of other younger performers, it is clear that there is at least a 20-year gap between them, thus the original will always be better thanGreat album after 22 years, the best tracks are 6. and 7 .Outstanding multi-layer guitars, excellent spatial production together with ingenious compositions is the optimal idea for the success of the long awaited album. By contrasting with the productions of other younger performers, it is clear that there is at least a 20-year gap between them, thus the original will always be better than the best copy made.… Expand
  12. Copperknob
    Jun 5, 2017
    9
    Slowdive’s self-titled album feature lengthy tracks around 6-8 minutes which contains great bassline & rhythm with breathy soundscape. The whole album’s length and electronic layers brings the band out and enables them to do show off their skill on each instrument and vocals.

    There wasn’t a track on here that I didn’t like, most of the long tracks felt just right and didn’t stay it’s    Slowdive’s self-titled album feature lengthy tracks around 6-8 minutes which contains great bassline & rhythm with breathy soundscape. The whole album’s length and electronic layers brings the band out and enables them to do show off their skill on each instrument and vocals.

    There wasn’t a track on here that I didn’t like, most of the long tracks felt just right and didn’t stay it’s welcome, as an example after all these bass lines and clear vocals the outro ‘Falling Ashes’ introduces an 8 minute beautiful piano ballad that closes the album off nicely.

    I find it mind blowing that I haven’t heard this band before, they’ve been a band in 1989 and decided to release a brand new album 22 years after their last album 'Pygmalion'. Being around that long explains the littlest detail and many ideas that the band presented on this album.

    Overall if you have an hour to spare then listen to this album, it never gets boring and presents the talent each member of the band has.

    Good: Don’t Know Why, Falling Ashes | Least: [NONE]    … Expand
  13. Clint_Eastwood1
    Nov 9, 2017
    10
    Давно про Slowdive не было слышно аж с 1995 года.Это группа которая искренне делает свои треки не ради денег или славы,а ради музыки,они пытаются возродить тот дух который когда-то собрал всех в одной маленькой студии.Их музыка делается с любовью к своему делу.Звучание альбома может быть непонятно современному слушателю,но нужно понимать,что их музыка и не пытается понравитьсяДавно про Slowdive не было слышно аж с 1995 года.Это группа которая искренне делает свои треки не ради денег или славы,а ради музыки,они пытаются возродить тот дух который когда-то собрал всех в одной маленькой студии.Их музыка делается с любовью к своему делу.Звучание альбома может быть непонятно современному слушателю,но нужно понимать,что их музыка и не пытается понравиться большинству,это просто самая настоящая музыка во всех её проявлениях."Slowdive" — доказательство существования любви к музыке.… Expand
  14. surf1ngthevoid
    Sep 8, 2019
    9
    To be honest, I think this release has nothing to envy to its successful predecessors like "Just for a Day" and the acclaimed "Souvlaki". They still sounding brilliantly fresh, and better than ever. Worth listening.
  15. fahim98
    Jun 14, 2022
    7
    I love "Don't Know Why." I think this is a good record. I would not buy it but some of the tracks are really great.
  16. dericeket
    Jun 4, 2023
    10
    hep onu dusunuyom dinlerken onu anlatıyolar. cok guzel yazmıssın neıl abı rachel abla

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2017
91
#91 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Jul 6, 2017
    90
    The result is an album that can stand easily with Slowdive’s other heights and that manages the extremely tricky feat of sounding like the band that fans love and missed while at the same time marking a new step forward. The
    Read full review
  2. Prefix Magazine
    Jul 6, 2017
    80
    With such a hooky, immediate, and yet complex record, let’s hope it’s not the final fade out.
    Read full review
  3. Magnet
    Jun 28, 2017
    80
    This new one sounds happily like a distillation of the best of Slowdive. The effects--and the effects pedals--are still dreamy. [No. 143, p.61]
See all critic reviews »