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Social Cues Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 77 Ratings

  • Summary: John Hill produces the Kentucky alt-rock band's fifth album, which features a collaboration with Beck.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  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]
  2. 80
    The band’s best work to date.
  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]
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. 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
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  2. Apr 19, 2019
    10
    Melancholy. Sick grooves. You'll want to dance with your sadness with this one.
  3. 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.
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  4. Apr 23, 2019
    9
    Классный альбомчик, особенно зашла Black Madonna.
  5. Apr 19, 2019
    8
    First time I listened all the way through to a CTE album, but one or two of their earlier singles had caught my ear a few times so they wereFirst time I listened all the way through to a CTE album, but one or two of their earlier singles had caught my ear a few times so they were on my radar. This is an exercise in making sadness not meloncholic, but melodic, and it works. Now on my 10th listen and getting better with each. One of the best and most consistent rock albums I have heard in a while. Amid the rock drought of the last few years, this is music to my ears. If you like melodic rock with plenty of hooks and with a variety of styles thrown in, this is for you. Not sure if this lives up to their earlier albums, but it has tempted me to give them a listen. Expand
  6. Apr 19, 2019
    8
    Cage the Elephant lost its juvenile sense of wonder and irresponsibility, the optimism has given place to the cruel reality of adult life,Cage the Elephant lost its juvenile sense of wonder and irresponsibility, the optimism has given place to the cruel reality of adult life, failed love experiments and traumatic personal events. Cage the Elephant has matured, in a sense that like a young person they have seen more of the world, and become damaged by it. Expand
  7. Apr 24, 2019
    6
    The album Social Cues by Cage the Elephant is an okay record but not great nor bad.

See all 14 User Reviews