User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

To Believe
by
To Believe Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length studio release for the British electronic/nu-jazz project led by Jason Swinscoe and Dom Smith features guest vocals from Grey Reverend, Roots Manuva, Moses Sumney, Tawiah, and Heidi Vogel.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 18, 2019
    100
    To Believe is heartbreakingly brilliant: a collection of exquisitely assembled songs that appear delicate from a distance before revealing a close-quarters core strength. ... A triumph.
  2. Exclaim
    Mar 12, 2019
    90
    Acts like the Cinematic Orchestra are sometimes dismissed as background music. To Believe refutes that completely. Its gentle warmth makes the work accessible. But once you've pressed play, there is no ignoring it.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 14, 2019
    80
    It’s an album that takes the sombre mood of today and translates it into downtempo music that’s both refreshing and thoughtful.
  4. musicOMH.com
    Mar 12, 2019
    70
    To Believe is a worthy return for The Cinematic Orchestra, developing their sound while keeping the trademark fusion between electronic and orchestral that Swinscoe and co. do so well.
  5. Under The Radar
    Apr 5, 2019
    70
    Right from the off, the reverb-laden guitar picking of the title track, augmented by the soaring vocal of guest Moses Sumney, feels understatedly devastating. And so it builds from such august beginnings. A song, a whole album evoking thoughts and questions around belief, what is worth believing in and what difference belief in something can make unfolds, drawing in the listener ever deeper.
  6. The Guardian
    Mar 15, 2019
    60
    This is an album that feels accomplished but unremarkable, neither possessing the kind of experimentalism that might push things forward nor idiosyncratic enough to stand out in a newly crowded marketplace.
  7. Resident Advisor
    Apr 9, 2019
    60
    Swinscoe has a knack for both producing lush orchestral movements and picking worthy collaborators. On To Believe, they are unfortunately not more than the sum of their parts.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mayfieldja
    Mar 20, 2019
    6
    To Believe opens beautifully with its titular track. It’s easy to get lost in the ambient sounds, but if you give it the isolated and engagedTo Believe opens beautifully with its titular track. It’s easy to get lost in the ambient sounds, but if you give it the isolated and engaged listen, you’ll be pleased by what this British duo has given us with their 4th full-length. Tracks are wonderfully composed even within the simplicity that arises at times, but though well produced, this LP will regrettably find itself categorized as ‘really solid but somewhat forgettable’ due to the ease in which it can fade into the background. 6 out of 10.
    Tracks to enjoy “To Believe”; “Lessons”; “The Workers of Art”    … Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »