The Rat Road
by SBTRKT
  • Record Label: Orchard
  • Release Date: May 5, 2023
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    May 8, 2023
    80
    The Rat Road is a record from not just a producer, but an artist, fully in command of his new direction.
  2. The Skinny
    May 8, 2023
    80
    The Rat Road is a wondrous and playful musical sketchbook that takes the SBTRKT sonic blueprint and builds something lasting.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    May 8, 2023
    80
    The spacious, wiggly drum’n’bass of You, Love outclasses much of the jungle 2.0 around now, while You Broke My Heart but Imma Fix It is so nimble and textured it’s impossible to pin down. The slight downside: The Rat Road remains dominated by voices that are not Jerome’s, so it’s hard to hear the autobiography. But that’s a small caveat.
  5. Clash Music
    May 8, 2023
    80
    SBTRKT’s signature sound, which defies genre boundaries and pushes the boundaries of popular music, continues to shine on ‘The Rat Road’.
  6. musicOMH.com
    May 8, 2023
    80
    The Rat Road does indeed become an accurate reflection of modern life, but it lifts far above the routine, providing an insightful and emotive soundtrack for many who cross its path.
  7. Pitchfork
    May 9, 2023
    73
    The Rat Road offers no easy answers and—frankly—not all that much easy listening. But if you’re looking for a sometimes baffling yet often entertaining adventure, The Rat Road delivers.
  8. AllMusic
    Sep 28, 2023
    70
    The Rat Road is the type of sprawling, inconsistent work that likely only its creator fully understands, but it contains several fascinating, inspired moments.
  9. Resident Advisor
    May 10, 2023
    70
    Tightening up the chaos that blighted his sophomore record, The Rat Road doubles down on SBTRKT's multi-genre vision and pulls it off slightly better. His cocktail of pop and underground influences sounds more decisive and refined, though there are still moments that fizzle rather than ignite.

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Lajaleaa
    Jun 1, 2023
    7
    In its way, the lack of concept works as a concept itself, specially because the complete project feels like a quick collection of unfinishedIn its way, the lack of concept works as a concept itself, specially because the complete project feels like a quick collection of unfinished voices and feelings. And even when there is something set to be explored, there is a high sense of disassociation or derealization. Like going high to work, this feels more like a quick exit to something that needed to happen, being a cooler experience for the user than the customer.… Full Review »
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