Two Hands
by Big Thief
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Oct 11, 2019
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 60
  3. Negative: 3 out of 60
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  1. wurdmann
    Oct 11, 2019
    9
    Man is 2019 the year for Big Thief! I like this more than U.F.O.F., and I loved that album.
  2. Unbiasedforreal
    Oct 11, 2019
    8
    The less polished and more raw version of it's counterpart. Lenker sounds a lot more passionate and less dreamy, which creates a sound more emotionally resonant. The songs feel more tense in general, but extremely accessisble.
  3. Ricko
    Nov 6, 2019
    8
    Big Thief somehow manage to release another great album less than 6 months after the amazing "U.F.O.F". "Two Hands" is a different beast and very much a separate album. Big Thief, in their lo fi indie folk world are already pretty stripped down but "Two Hands" is to use Lenker's own words "bare bones". The raw materials that are the songs are left exposed completely to sink or swim. ThisBig Thief somehow manage to release another great album less than 6 months after the amazing "U.F.O.F". "Two Hands" is a different beast and very much a separate album. Big Thief, in their lo fi indie folk world are already pretty stripped down but "Two Hands" is to use Lenker's own words "bare bones". The raw materials that are the songs are left exposed completely to sink or swim. This gives the album quite a vulnerable feel and the listener can feel like they are in the room with the band belting out the songs. It's a brave move from the band and clearly shows an outfit fully confident and aware that they are in a rich vein of form. "U.F.O.F" is one of my favourite albums of 2019 and while I would have to say I prefer it's broader and fuller sound, "Two Hands" is a worthy follow up, even more so considering it comes so hot on its heels. The capture of the live performance is impressive. Perhaps an even better album could have been produced with a bit more breathing room and space between albums but I'm definitely not complaining.… Expand
  4. sammyanthony
    Oct 23, 2019
    7
    More restrained and minimal than U.F.O.F., a little bit more acoustic sessions gave soothing and calming environment. Good album overall.
  5. Highland92
    Oct 23, 2019
    9
    Big Thief does it again. I can't really find anything t complain about this album. Just like with UFOF, this album is near perfect. Can't wait to see how they progress from here.

    Favorite Tracks: Forgotten Eyes, Two Hands, The Toy, Replaced

    Least Favorite: N/A (if I had to pick one I guess, maybe Wolf)
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    A restrained raw effort that packs power in it's deceptive simplicity. Bug thief have never sounded so rough. Songs come as hard as classics and the fantastic career high point "Not" stun with their brilliance. Somehow the modesty gives way to their genius, the soft vocals rubbing against the guitars sandpaper. There's no stunning consecutive three record streak this impressive in so long
  7. BocaLevy
    Oct 14, 2019
    10
    I have not been this inspired by an album in a while. Two Hands is truly great! Definitely Big Thief's best work!

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Rolling Stone
    Nov 7, 2019
    70
    With its sturdy songcraft and mostly straightforward arrangements, Two Hands is not a revelation so much as a reinforcement and welcome reminder of Big Thief’s greatest strengths.
    Read full review
  2. musicOMH.com
    Nov 4, 2019
    70
    Two Hands is a good album, albeit one labouring under a slight sense of anticlimax given what has gone before.
    Read full review
  3. The Wire
    Oct 23, 2019
    80
    Combined with the sincere and fiery anguish of Lenker’s delivery, this propensity for surprise makes Big Thief a genuinely affecting proposition. [Nov 2019, p.50]
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