The Altar
by Banks
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2016
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 30, 2016
    98
    Overall, this is unmistakably a Banks album, so if you've liked anything she's done so far, this is definitely worth checking out. Despite some of the shifts described above, her darkness is still there, and it is still equal parts inviting and off-putting.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Sep 30, 2016
    80
    The Altar is very close to being a razor-sharp pop blueprint.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 30, 2016
    80
    Banks is perfectly comfortable in her own skin and artistic abilities, and it shows immensely on The Altar.
  5. Q Magazine
    Sep 29, 2016
    80
    Few singers examine the pathology of heartbreak so expertly. [Nov 2016, p.102]
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  6. AllMusic
    Sep 29, 2016
    80
    Banks packs enough energy and zeal at the starting line to duly lay waste to whoever was foolish enough to break her heart.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Sep 29, 2016
    75
    The Altar is BANKS at her most confident and most empowered; tough and willing to accept her imperfections without a care for who’s listening.
  8. Clash Music
    Oct 12, 2016
    70
    The Altar is more textured and artful than ‘Goddess’, BANKS growing into her role as a writer, upholding the sensual melancholia that characterised her debut. Yet, it still feels as if BANKS is fine-tuning her sound.
  9. Mixmag
    Sep 30, 2016
    70
    ‘Love Sick’ is filled with sensual longing and ‘Mind Games’ screams out anger over crashing synths. ‘Trainwreck’, meanwhile, is an instant banger with Banks’ aggressive lyrics structured around trap-infused production. Elsewhere, though, soul-baring ballad ‘Mother Earth’ and stripped-back closer ‘To The Hilt’ are more easily forgotten.
  10. No Ripcord
    Sep 30, 2016
    70
    From Gemini Feed’s bold awareness, to 27 Hours’ electrifying finish, The Altar is an accomplishment. There’s much more happening, but its tighter and fuller, filling in the most glaring gaps left by Goddess.
  11. Consequence
    Oct 3, 2016
    67
    None of the material on The Altar will revolutionize alt R&B, future soul, or whatever awkward label one might apply to this nebulous genre. What is here, though, is proof of an artist still searching for a new direction.
  12. PopMatters
    Oct 5, 2016
    60
    The high points of The Altar are nearly perfect, but these are outnumbered by a massive middle section comprised of unremarkable, uninspired filler.
  13. Exclaim
    Oct 4, 2016
    60
    This sophomore effort builds off her debut, but loses the plot in a mass of electronic blackness and vague grievances.
  14. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 3, 2016
    60
    Strip away the tics and production fidgets and these songs aren’t hugely distinctive--they lack the arresting weirdness of artier peers such as FKA twigs.
  15. Rolling Stone
    Sep 30, 2016
    60
    Banks' list of grievances can get wearying, but the music's dour detail is alluring too.
  16. Mojo
    Sep 29, 2016
    60
    For every shallow, Banks stirs up a hidden depth. [Nov 2016, p.90]
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  17. The Guardian
    Sep 29, 2016
    60
    Mostly The Altar is claustrophobic with try-hardness. Banks doesn’t sound empowered, she sounds stretched.
  18. Pitchfork
    Oct 12, 2016
    51
    The Altar has a lot in common with Goddess, including its fatal flaw: its attempts to position Banks as edgy or dangerous, despite all musical evidence to the contrary.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Most Discussed Album of 2016
99
#99 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 199 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 178 out of 199
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 199
  3. Negative: 11 out of 199
  1. gagaeb12
    Oct 29, 2016
    10
    Охуенный альбом мне очень нравится обожаю смотреть как это няшка забивает гвозди на жопаннОхуенный альбом мне очень нравится обожаю смотреть как это няшка забивает гвозди на жопанн
  2. Socotic
    Oct 2, 2016
    10
    I fell in love with Banks when I listened to her first album, Goddess. I was enraptured by her melodic, powerful vocals, as well as the deepI fell in love with Banks when I listened to her first album, Goddess. I was enraptured by her melodic, powerful vocals, as well as the deep messages and meanings to her music. This was an artist who wasn't just "in it for the money", this was a real, genuine girl with personal, formidable yet astounding stories she wanted to convey through music and share with the world. With her new album The Altar, Banks has not only done exactly that once again, but has only become more raw and true to herself and her music. This album opened me up to whole new realm of Banks and her authentic, unfeigned messages with songs like To The Hilt, Mind Games and 27 Hours. Not only does she showcase her honest, humane persona, but exerts a great deal of strength and empowerment with songs like **** With myself, Gemini Feed and Trainwreck. I recommend this beautiful, heartfelt, relatable album to most anybody, as it is truly one in a million.… Full Review »
  3. RoniCampos
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    eu não tenho palavras,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, eu nao teNHO PALAVRAAS EEEEEU NÃO TENHOOeu não tenho palavras,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, eu nao teNHO PALAVRAAS EEEEEU NÃO TENHOO PAAAALAAAVRASSSSSSSSWWWWWW… Full Review »
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