Social Cues
by Cage the Elephant
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Apr 19, 2019
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 29, 2019
    91
    The album's introspection paired with its urgent energy make Cage The Elephant sound more passionate than ever. [3/10 May 2019, p.95]
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Apr 30, 2019
    80
    Social Cues is Cage The Elephant’s darkest and most personal album yet.
  3. Uncut
    Apr 18, 2019
    80
    This audacious album succeeds not by altering Cage's distinctive identity but by exponentially amplifying it. [June 2019, p.26]
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  5. The New York Times
    Apr 18, 2019
    80
    But even as the lyrics detail troubled thoughts, the music staves off self-pity with distorted tones, obstinate drumbeats and unhistrionic vocals.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 18, 2019
    80
    The band’s best work to date.
  7. Under The Radar
    Apr 18, 2019
    80
    While Social Cues contains copious amounts of their signature buzz-saw guitars and frenetic, energetic vocals, it also shows Cage The Elephant's willingness to push the envelope and take some chances, although it's more like coloring outside the lines than it is a brand new drawing.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 18, 2019
    80
    This is the sound of Cage The Elephant exploring every corner of what they are.
  9. Rolling Stone
    Apr 17, 2019
    80
    If this is an old story, Social Cues is a dynamic, uncommon telling.
  10. Mojo
    Apr 16, 2019
    80
    Musically, it's a radical rethink. [May 2019, p.89]
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  11. Exclaim
    Apr 22, 2019
    70
    Social Cues not an overly adventurous record, but it's the sound of a band who know their niche in contemporary alternative rock and how to deliver every time.
  12. AllMusic
    Apr 19, 2019
    70
    By making such a decisive shift in direction, CTE wind up dampening the squalls of White Stripes, Strokes, and Pixies that defined their first decade of records, but that change also emphasizes how the group are at heart pop-pastiche artists, favoring style and sound over a finely honed song.
  13. American Songwriter
    Apr 16, 2019
    70
    Social Cues shows the group maturing musically without losing its grip on their ability to craft haunting, accessible tunes ready for the larger venues they have rightfully graduated to.
  14. PopMatters
    Apr 16, 2019
    70
    A satisfying collection of glitzy anthems, breezy vibes, and even some earnestly introspective highlights that showcase technical and creative maturity amid a continuation of that efficacious recipe.
  15. Paste Magazine
    Apr 22, 2019
    67
    If Social Cues isn’t a bad album by any stretch; it’s nonetheless, in the band’s discography, surprisingly generic.
  16. Consequence
    Apr 19, 2019
    67
    It would have been fascinating to see the band take a drastic turn and lean into experimentation, but instead they’ve returned with a relatively underwhelming fifth album.
  17. No Ripcord
    May 10, 2019
    60
    Though Cues features some of their most accomplished songs yet, their eagerness to please both sides (not to mention a woeful Beck cameo on the dub-reggae fusion of Night Running) make for a sometimes coldly calculating listen.
  18. Classic Rock Magazine
    May 3, 2019
    60
    Social Cues feels like the sound of a great band in desperate need of some down time. [Jun 2019, p.88]
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  19. The Skinny
    Apr 17, 2019
    60
    The band’s continuing experimentation with studio personnel, producers, influences, and ranges of emotion should be applauded. But a little more grit in the riffs would be nice.
  20. Q Magazine
    Apr 16, 2019
    60
    While it doesn't measure up to such great break-up albums as Beck's Sea Change or Blur's 13, Social Cues still possesses emotional heft. [June 2019, p.108]
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  21. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 17, 2019
    45
    The underlying intensity to their music on previous records is stripped away, leaving in its wake a bland and largely forgettable experience.
  22. DIY Magazine
    Apr 19, 2019
    40
    ‘Social Cues’ is a study in US radio - or so it seems, each song a suitable soundtrack to faceless car journeys along nondescript roads: think Imagine Dragons in leather jackets and ripped jeans, if you will.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 77
  3. Negative: 1 out of 77
  1. zJake
    Apr 24, 2019
    10
    Cage the Elephant are known for possessing a large variety of sound across multiple albums. From the raw debut self titled album and the moreCage the Elephant are known for possessing a large variety of sound across multiple albums. From the raw debut self titled album and the more experimental follow up ‘Thank You, Happy Birthday’ to the softer, melodic and more refined ‘Melophobia’ and ‘Tell Me I’m Pretty’, they have proven time and again that bands can change their sound and still be fantastic. Social Cues, the Kentucky bands 5th album, is no exception. Here we have 13 tracks of varied sounds that all sound polished and really catchy with brilliant lyrics. Granted, they haven’t experimented too heavily from their 3rd and 4th albums but Social Cues has songs that are reminiscent of their past discography , ‘House of Glass’ reminds me of their ‘Thank You, Happy Birthday’ days whereas ‘Ready To Let Go’ reminds me of their more recent work.

    Melophobia is one of my favourite albums from any band but even that has a couple songs I would likely skip over. Social Cues however hasn’t had a single song skipped in the already many times I’ve played it. While the best of Melophobia is probably Cage’s best work, as a whole album I feel that Social Cues has a slight edge. It’s a great album filled with a variation of songs and I’m sure any music lover can find something they enjoy here.

    Stand-outs: So many cracking songs on the album it’s hard to choose but my favourites are probably ‘Black Madonna’, ‘Skin and Bones’ and ‘Tokyo Smoke’.

    Overall a fantastic effort from Cage the Elephant, they’ve produced something really great once again.    … Full Review »
  2. Zacharyburklow
    Apr 19, 2019
    10
    Melancholy. Sick grooves. You'll want to dance with your sadness with this one.
  3. AMFcritic
    Apr 19, 2019
    10
    Matt Shultz and Cage The Elephant brought us to an melancholic and groovy adventure into the deeper parts of a musician who knows what it isMatt Shultz and Cage The Elephant brought us to an melancholic and groovy adventure into the deeper parts of a musician who knows what it is to have and lose important things in life.
    One of the best alternative rock albums in years. CTE wins our respect and love with their first masterpiece since Melophobia. 10/10    … Full Review »
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