The Powers That B
by Death Grips
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. Exclaim
    Apr 1, 2015
    90
    Though radically different in execution, The Powers That B is a compelling look at the band's ability to work with sounds both minimal and monumental, while containing some of their most riveting lyrical and musical work in recent memory.
  2. Pretty Much Amazing
    Mar 31, 2015
    83
    By Death Grips’ standards, the first disc is significantly less dynamic than the second.... Jenny Death represents another step forward for Death Grips, a group that seems to have walked over the horizon and out of sight albums ago.
  3. Spin
    Apr 3, 2015
    70
    It’s far more interesting and hard-hitting, with bizarre hooks where you least expect.... Taken as a whole, The Powers That B (what a title, right?) suffers from the typical overlong-yet-undercooked double-album dilemma that makes it hard to imagine playing either side in a year that isn’t 2015.
  5. PopMatters
    Apr 1, 2015
    70
    The Powers That B is a collection of music explicitly without a thesis, and while that’s fine, it’s harder to place in the scheme of things.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Mar 31, 2015
    70
    The first disc (Niggas On The Moon) is not the finest thing Death Grips have ever put their name to.... However, the second half, Jenny Death, is better. A lot better.
  7. AllMusic
    Mar 31, 2015
    60
    The Björk-based art piece works better when consumed as album number two.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 151 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 139 out of 151
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 151
  3. Negative: 5 out of 151
  1. nirvanafreak
    Apr 3, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Although the two sides of this mind blowing double album have little in common (besides the the reference to 'Have a sad cum bb' on Pss Pss off of Jenny Death ) they are both brilliant albums when taken separately and the fact that they come together is just a kind of bonus for the listener really. The first disc, N*ggas On the Moon, might be Death Grips most abstract piece to date with chopped up björk samples all over it played on a Roland V Drum Kit (well...that's what I heard) by the band's madman drummer Zach Hill. So now I need to talk about the 2nd disc. Jenny death. Fans (including me) were speculating when it was going to be released (or if it was ever) for the better part of a year so when it finally leaked we immediately dropped everything and went to it. All I can say is it didn't dissapoint, although in December I had my doubts that they could create an album that wasn't completely overshadowed by the first single 'Inanimate Sensation' which in my opinion is the groups most energetic and addictive song yet (SO BLOWN OUT). The album sounded as though it's songs would fit in well as a live performance because sitting down and listening to it...it just made you wanna go out and get into a mosh pit. Except from the 2nd to last track 'On GP' which reminded me of pink floyd at one point in the instrumental.
    Fav tracks from NotM:up my sleeves, black quarterback, say hey kid
    Fav tracks from JD:Inanimate sensation, on GP, I break mirrors with my face in the United states, Pss pss    … Full Review »
  2. rajiHIII
    Apr 3, 2015
    10
    i'd just like to say a few words, so first off, yeap, exactly, great, and this also, but then this, omg wait for that, and man, you can neveri'd just like to say a few words, so first off, yeap, exactly, great, and this also, but then this, omg wait for that, and man, you can never hold all the coconuts. peace out. remember never give up.… Full Review »
  3. exmordis
    Apr 5, 2015
    10
    Death Grips has finally finished Jenny Death. With the completion of this double album, the group now has 6 releases over the past 4 years.Death Grips has finally finished Jenny Death. With the completion of this double album, the group now has 6 releases over the past 4 years. Fans have been theorizing how this new album could change the sound of DG as it seemed like they didn't have anything left up their sleeves. Would this be the death knell of the group, as they announced a "breakup" half a year back, or would this bring the group to bigger heights?

    I can say without a doubt, that The Powers That B is the best project Death Grips has ever put out. It combines the consistency of Exmilitary, the electrical sounds of The Money Store, the anger of Government Plates, and the paranoia of No Love Deep Web. So many genres have been mixed into this project while still keeping the sound at a level that older fans could enjoy. There's not much else to say. Listen to this if you dare.    … Full Review »
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