The Miraculous
by Anna von Hausswolff
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The 405
    Nov 18, 2015
    85
    Ceremony may have easily conquered the sophomore slump, but The Miraculous is the moment where von Hausswolff truly arrives as an artist.
  2. The Wire
    Dec 16, 2015
    80
    The sonic immensity and detail of the album, an extended paean to the power of the imagination, with the feel of a dark fairy tale, rivals the most ostentatious of Bob Ezrin's productions for Alice Cooper, Kiss and Lou Reed. [Dec 2015, p.50]
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  3. musicOMH.com
    Nov 18, 2015
    80
    There’s no denying this is a heavy record, not at all easy going mood music you’d lightly slap on whilst performing menial tasks. But the mix of gentle moments of reflection amongst muscular foreboding sounds save it from being overly doom-laden. And the fact remains, it is a genuinely exciting listen.
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 16, 2015
    80
    It’s not always the easiest of listens, but the boldness of her vision is compelling, especially on Discovery and the title track, where beauty and raw power interact.
  6. Mojo
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    The Miraculous is complex and provocative. [Dec 2015, p.87]
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  7. The Quietus
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    It's the type of album you have to commit to completely, but for those seeking a glimpse of the numinous, it's worth the effort.
  8. Uncut
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    The result is vast and apocalyptic. [Dec 2015, p.81]
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  9. AllMusic
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    As a composer, singer, and sound sculptor, Hausswolff is in full control on The Miraculous, balancing harshness and intimacy, heaviness and airy melancholy. It's an uncompromising view, but it's also welcoming.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 13, 2015
    80
    The standout pieces are the lengthier ones. Perhaps, if you are already aware of her work on Ceremony, then The Miraculous will not be a surprise to you. But if you have not, then it may well be a complete revelation.
  11. Pitchfork
    Nov 17, 2015
    78
    There’s nothing wrong with a good glacial pace, but Von Hausswolff’s slowly unfurling arrangements, as well as her reliance on the organ as the primary rhythmic vehicle, occasionally make the record tough sledding.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Platendraaier
    Nov 17, 2015
    8
    Anna von Hausswolff moves on The Miraculous to a place where the land is still shaking from a touching past. She knows how to integrate herAnna von Hausswolff moves on The Miraculous to a place where the land is still shaking from a touching past. She knows how to integrate her fantasy world and reality in a way where rock, prog, folk and classical music keeps each other in balance. The organ sounds predominate and in combination with the guitars and percussion balances between the heavy sounds and intimacy. The most striking is Anna's vocal range, which she fully exploited on the album to make a way through her ​​melancholy and lightheartedness. How heavy it may sound as a whole, the aftermath is what does open your eyes to the miraculous place. 8.0/10

    Full Review (in dutch): http://www.platendraaier.nl/albumrecensies/anna-von-hausswolff-the-miraculous/    … Full Review »
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