The Altar
by Banks
  • Record Label: Harvest
  • Release Date: Sep 30, 2016
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
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  1. Oscales
    Nov 3, 2022
    10
    6 years later and this album still holds up super well! It’s a staple album for BANKS for sure, songs on here was even ripped off by Zedd (without the credit). If you’re going to listen to a BANKS album, it’s going to be this one
  2. musicult
    Nov 10, 2019
    10
    As close to perfection as it can be. Banks is definitely one of the most underappreciated artists of all time, this album has been on repeat ever since it came out
  3. markosaric
    Nov 2, 2019
    6
    BANKS does what she does best with a new album of haunting ballads, but most of the songs on the last leg sound like things we've already heard before.
  4. freakingio
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    i love this album...........................................................
  5. maydaysizzy
    Mar 18, 2018
    9
    Emotional voice and full of memorable tracks. Some notable tracks are: Gemini Feed, **** With Myself and This is Not About Us. Definitely recommend to everyone.
  6. diamandiss
    Feb 26, 2018
    10
    Não acredito que nunca ouvi esse álbum antes, é simplesmente maravilhoso. Minha favorita é F*** With Myself mas todas as músicas são ótimas, a Banks merece mais reconhecimento.
  7. DiogoOliveira
    Jan 2, 2018
    9
    estou feliz em dizer que não perdi meu tempo em ouvi o álbum inteiro da Banks, ela anda segura na zona vocal em que percorre, dando vitalidade aos trechos que exige vocal mais forte, apaixonado por esse álbum, visualmente tão incrível quanto sonoramente. aguardando trabalhos futuros.
  8. wallacexcx
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before. xxxxxxxxxx
  9. Paranormal
    Jul 25, 2017
    9
    Агрессивный, тёмный, дикий, но в то же время сексуальный, чувственный и томный. Именно такие слова приходят в голову после прослушивания. Её личный дневник, который уже она читает слушателю. Открыта ко всему. Чувствуется, как она меняется с каждой новой песней. Никакой стеснительности, никакого молчания. Люблю ***Агрессивный, тёмный, дикий, но в то же время сексуальный, чувственный и томный. Именно такие слова приходят в голову после прослушивания. Её личный дневник, который уже она читает слушателю. Открыта ко всему. Чувствуется, как она меняется с каждой новой песней. Никакой стеснительности, никакого молчания. Люблю ***
  10. fabiozdk
    Mar 12, 2017
    10
    Jullian Banks continua sua jornada, se reinventando a cada álbum. The Altar mostrou uma nova face da cantora, não necessariamente mais madura, mas melhor explorada. Visualmente e musicalmente, essa era está impecável.
  11. sdradiosucks
    Mar 11, 2017
    10
    A logical progression from Goddess, Banks' dark, mysterious and soulful style continues. She still spans a lot of styles, sounding a little abstract like Bjork or FKA Twigs at times **** With Myself, Poltergeist) and more like an old soul spilling her guts at others (Lovesick) but it's a roller coaster of emotion all the way through. Those who say she hasn't grown or progressed as anA logical progression from Goddess, Banks' dark, mysterious and soulful style continues. She still spans a lot of styles, sounding a little abstract like Bjork or FKA Twigs at times **** With Myself, Poltergeist) and more like an old soul spilling her guts at others (Lovesick) but it's a roller coaster of emotion all the way through. Those who say she hasn't grown or progressed as an artist aren't listening for growth. If they're looking for flaws, they're not impossible to find, but why focus on minor imperfections when you really should just be dancing?… Expand
  12. gagaeb12
    Oct 29, 2016
    10
    Охуенный альбом мне очень нравится обожаю смотреть как это няшка забивает гвозди на жопанн
  13. Depratie
    Oct 21, 2016
    8
    One of the best records of the year. What BANKS does with this record it's show the different shapes of pain. In my opinion, her lyrics are the best with this effort. Her experience with depression and heartbreaking are expressed in dark/ dance melodies with great power to make it over. The catchy songs "Gemini Feed", **** With Myself" and the amazing written "Mind Games" gave me life.
  14. IvanMejia_
    Oct 15, 2016
    10
    Banks's finnest work to date, it's dark, beautiful and so breathtaking. A masterpiece. It starts with a bold Gemini Feed and finishing with a rad 27 hours, it's definitely one of the best albums of 2016. She takes it all.
  15. diegonelli
    Oct 5, 2016
    8
    This album is sooo cool! I wasn't really interested on her when I listened Goddess but this album is a masterpiece. Her voice and the production of the album are sticky. My fav songs are Mind Games, Trainwrecker and Weaker Girl. Keep up the good work!!
  16. scheibex
    Oct 4, 2016
    0
    No evolution. Banks does not show growth as an artist, following the same line of his debut album. Low production like any other artist that indie that is "fashionable". 'The Altar' sounds more like a deluxe edition.
  17. 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 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 newI 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.… Collapse
  18. marcmyworks
    Oct 2, 2016
    9
    Probably the best album (thus far) of 2016. Banks proves why she is a force to be reckoned with and then some. Each song is poignant, beautiful and powerful and thematically perfect. "The Altar" just became one of my top albums ever. Download: Gemini Feed, F With Myself, Judas, Weaker Girl.
  19. xtinalol
    Oct 1, 2016
    7
    BANKS has gone and done it again. With The Altar, she delivers another stunning album from start to finish. It might not be as amazing as Goddess but that said, its still one of the best releases of the year and just goes to show how good (albeit underrated) of an artist she really is. From the production to the vocals, the whole album is very well-crafted. Standouts include Gemini Feed,BANKS has gone and done it again. With The Altar, she delivers another stunning album from start to finish. It might not be as amazing as Goddess but that said, its still one of the best releases of the year and just goes to show how good (albeit underrated) of an artist she really is. From the production to the vocals, the whole album is very well-crafted. Standouts include Gemini Feed, Judas & 27 Hours. Collapse… Expand
  20. shannimek
    Oct 1, 2016
    10
    She surely deserves to be called an artist. The harmony that surrounds this record is just incredible. Everything is planned. The cover shows the real Banks without make-up and so on. I love that concept and I'm going to listen to it until I die.
  21. gabrielfobia
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    The album sounds much more expansive than its predecessor, in addition BANKS explores in tracks like "Trainwreck" and "Poltergeist". This album is vibrant, is dark and is an incredible work by a fiery woman.
  22. CharlieGray
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    This album is pure fire, BANKS best effort to date!!!!!!
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  23. marijanxo
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    BANKS is a goddess, and she proved it twice. Goddess is one of my favorite albums ever, and I thought that it's impossible to beat the perfection of Goddess but she proved me wrong. The Altar is something different, it's perfect in every way. She can go from trap beats to piano to guitar and she does it so effortlessly. Altar is so good that I don't even have a favorite song, every song isBANKS is a goddess, and she proved it twice. Goddess is one of my favorite albums ever, and I thought that it's impossible to beat the perfection of Goddess but she proved me wrong. The Altar is something different, it's perfect in every way. She can go from trap beats to piano to guitar and she does it so effortlessly. Altar is so good that I don't even have a favorite song, every song is a unique experience but I think she did it best on 'Judas', 'Mother Earth' and 'Haunt'. I can't wait to see her live, I already bought tickets for her show in London. I'm so hyped about it.… Expand
  24. primadonnr
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    felizmente um dos melhores albuns do ano não esperava menos da dona do alternativo um album com instrumentais maravilhosos e vocais fortes. as favs sao mother earth, gemini feed e trainwreck. merece + de 80
  25. RoniCampos
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    eu não tenho palavras,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, eu nao teNHO PALAVRAAS EEEEEU NÃO TENHOO PAAAALAAAVRASSSSSSSSWWWWWW

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
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