Spaces
by Nils Frahm
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. PopMatters
    Jan 21, 2014
    90
    If, by chance, Spaces happens to be the very first record which you pick up by Nils Frahm, I must proclaim to be extremely jealous--you have a beautiful and highly rewarding journey ahead of you, my friend.
  2. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Dec 2, 2013
    90
    That’s the achievement of Spaces: not simply to replicate the music of Frahm’s concerts, divine though it is, but to evoke the events’ communal intimacy.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 22, 2013
    90
    With Spaces he goes one further--successfully channelling the chills of an actual performance, and making a genuine connection with his listener even in recorded form.
  5. The Quietus
    Nov 21, 2013
    90
    Restless reinvention is to be admired, but reconsideration and striving for personal perfection is to be prized. While Frahm’s previous penchant for the former has given him a brilliant and varied book of songs from which to draw, it’s his intense performance and passionate adoption of the latter which makes Spaces a work of gentle genius, and one of the year’s best albums.
  6. Resident Advisor
    Nov 21, 2013
    90
    These very much sound like live performances, and they're all the better for it. Short of seeing him in concert, Spaces is as close as you'll get to hearing Frahm at his best.
  7. Uncut
    Nov 20, 2013
    90
    These 11 tracks, recorded at various locations, also confirm he's more than a neo-classical specialist. [Dec 2013, p.68]
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  8. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 18, 2013
    90
    There is a vitality and clarity of spirit present here that is at once immediate, intimate and irresistible.
  9. Clash Music
    Nov 18, 2013
    90
    After the delicate beauty of previous albums, this is the sound of an artist unleashed.
  10. musicOMH.com
    Nov 18, 2013
    90
    Spaces demonstrates a prodigious, world-class talent that shines through regardless of format or circumstance.
  11. Under The Radar
    Nov 19, 2013
    85
    The variety of Frahm's career is captured with selective care, but Spaces' true achievement is transcending the summary nature of live records.
  12. Mojo
    Nov 22, 2013
    80
    It results in an intimate album shuddering in the blast of an icy onslaught of crisp, wintery piano. [Dec 2013, p.87]
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  13. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 18, 2013
    80
    Even when battering his piano strings with a toilet brush, Frahm creates something mesmerising.
  14. Exclaim
    Nov 18, 2013
    80
    Spaces is in turn haunting, energizing and overwhelmingly emotive, and a must-have for fans of the young German pianist, whether or not they've caught him live yet.
  15. Pitchfork
    Jan 23, 2014
    78
    On Spaces there's a power that Frahm hasn't always been able to capture in his recorded work. But the overriding feel is one of joy at listening to a performer demonstrating the infinite elasticity of sound.
  16. XLR8r
    Nov 21, 2013
    75
    Spaces is still a wonderful document of the powerful force that Nils Frahm is as a performer. At the same time, the album in some ways seems like a missed opportunity--no one has questioned the man's ability as a live act (quite the opposite, actually), so the record can't help coming off like a bit of a "gimme."

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2013
79
#79 Most Shared Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 59
  3. Negative: 4 out of 59
  1. tthompson324
    Jan 1, 2014
    10
    Simply beautiful music. The live atmosphere makes this that much more rewarding of a listen. Sit back and absorb this wonderful album and youSimply beautiful music. The live atmosphere makes this that much more rewarding of a listen. Sit back and absorb this wonderful album and you will not regret it for a second. I have been truly moved by Nils Frahm's compositions. Hammers is a powerful song, Went Missing soothes my soul and Under-Tristana is just lovely. Do yourself a favor and buy this album!… Full Review »
  2. jchq
    Jan 29, 2014
    9
    The album is a precious document of some of Nils Frahm's finest moments as a performer. "Spaces" transmits the atmospheres created by him inThe album is a precious document of some of Nils Frahm's finest moments as a performer. "Spaces" transmits the atmospheres created by him in special spaces through a studio album. The result is purely fantastical. Borderline-silent keys and delicious reverberation accompany Frahm's piano performances to build these "spaces".
    Applause is necessary, it is the only connection to reality and lucidity after the rapid immersion Frahm provokes into this album.    … Full Review »
  3. Scooter4849
    Apr 24, 2014
    7
    Overall, it's pretty good. It's a nice change of pace from his earlier work. I don't believe it's worth a 90 though. I have to say i preferOverall, it's pretty good. It's a nice change of pace from his earlier work. I don't believe it's worth a 90 though. I have to say i prefer the studio versions of these tracks much more unfortunately. It's longer and more intense, it's pretty enthralling, but just not as good as the studio albums.… Full Review »
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