U.F.O.F.
by Big Thief
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: May 3, 2019
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 106
  3. Negative: 3 out of 106
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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 16, 2021
    9
    Consistency is key. Big Thief have never made a bad record or even song. They might not leave much room for experimentations but that's because what they have is mastered. Taking a gentle approach to the soft loud dynamic creating a serene magical wonderland . Intimacy is threaded through each song making them all feel personal. Populated with the usual focused character pieces, "jenni"Consistency is key. Big Thief have never made a bad record or even song. They might not leave much room for experimentations but that's because what they have is mastered. Taking a gentle approach to the soft loud dynamic creating a serene magical wonderland . Intimacy is threaded through each song making them all feel personal. Populated with the usual focused character pieces, "jenni" "betsy" where they flex their narrative capabilities. On the highlight "orange " a dishonest lover is framed so sweetly you could miss the underlying rage. This is a quality in most of U.F.O.F such as the magnificent closer "magic dealer" closing of an amazing record.… Expand
  2. Ricko
    Sep 18, 2019
    9
    This was my introduction to Big Thief. "U.F.O.F" took a few listens to work its way into me but now its here to stay. As a fan of this type of music (dreamy indie folk), I love this album and it is one of my favourites of 2019. The songs themselves are high end singer songwriter numbers but are brought up a notch by some great work by the rest of the band. These songs, while all prettyThis was my introduction to Big Thief. "U.F.O.F" took a few listens to work its way into me but now its here to stay. As a fan of this type of music (dreamy indie folk), I love this album and it is one of my favourites of 2019. The songs themselves are high end singer songwriter numbers but are brought up a notch by some great work by the rest of the band. These songs, while all pretty faithful to the indie folk tradition, take the listener off in all kinds of directions. Big Thief have managed to make a well worn path something worth exploring again.… Expand
  3. bartewing
    Aug 24, 2019
    9
    I've enjoyed Big Thiefs previous releases, but this is there best album start to finish, as the ensemble of songs creates the experience. When I listened to this for the first time I couldn't help but think about Leonard Cohen on his last album "You want it darker!" except with UFOF it's "You want it gentler" They are all in on sensory experience - the mood is the story and it's done veryI've enjoyed Big Thiefs previous releases, but this is there best album start to finish, as the ensemble of songs creates the experience. When I listened to this for the first time I couldn't help but think about Leonard Cohen on his last album "You want it darker!" except with UFOF it's "You want it gentler" They are all in on sensory experience - the mood is the story and it's done very well. I'm not exactly sure thematically but it's loosely an alien story but mostly done in as close to a humanizing manner as possible, in these times especially, there are aliens everywhere including our relationship with our selves. The answers/paths to acceptance are internal, not external.… Expand
  4. KATEAYE
    Aug 15, 2019
    5
    A tale of two albums...half good and half not as much. The first half has great elements that never get put together in a cohesively satisfying way but also not in an interestingly erratic way either. At times feels like it borders on meandering and self-indulgent. Then just as I am totally bored, they throw in enough just to give me hope and keep me listening to the next song. By the timeA tale of two albums...half good and half not as much. The first half has great elements that never get put together in a cohesively satisfying way but also not in an interestingly erratic way either. At times feels like it borders on meandering and self-indulgent. Then just as I am totally bored, they throw in enough just to give me hope and keep me listening to the next song. By the time the album gets to the second half, I feel a bit bored and abused by all the hype, but then am charmed and wooed back to life through the intimate and hypnotic whispery softness.… Expand
  5. Doxxman5
    Aug 9, 2019
    4
    Three great songs: opener "Contact" and "UFOF" show off a neat mix of guitar interplay and fragile vocals with good melodies. Latter in the album "Jenni" gives off a Jessica Bailiff kind of sparse/delicate sound. The rest ranges from kinda interesting to very boring. It's kinda like the band knows how to make good songs, but then chooses not to make them on purpose.
  6. Stanjohncleaner
    May 27, 2019
    10
    Supposed to be just another day today. Then this entered my life. Great day. I would say that tracks two and three made the day. Then i hear 4 and 5, then betsy then Jenni, and **** it; just an unexpectedly perfect album. Also Lawn by Jawbreaker is cool too.
  7. OttoS
    May 23, 2019
    10
    What an album! Accessible, great melodies, deeply emotional and personal , but still challenging and different than anything else. Only once in a while does something so completely absorbing come about. Simply cannot stop playing this!
  8. dann818
    May 10, 2019
    9
    My first Big Thief album but will not be my last. The voice and lyrics of Lenker are nothing short of something special. Her singing goes from soothing to powerful to fragile but remaining beautiful throughout. Synced and flowing amazingly with the acoustic or electric folk-rock-eqsue accompaniment. Experimentation is often subtle but very present - it gives it a familiar but unique sound.
  9. pulpdiction
    May 8, 2019
    9
    there's a refinement of so many genres from names who certainly inspired big thief in this album (I find myself remembering kate bush and blonde redhead in the first two tracks), it makes it for a new planet in a new galaxy, really an otherworldly experience that makes the name of the album even more appropriate
  10. Vaudevillain
    May 6, 2019
    9
    A fantastic album, the vocals are majestically subtle, the lyrics are simple but punch you right in the face, and it is just a must-listen, I haven't heard anything similar to this.
  11. yoshimon3
    May 6, 2019
    9
    Pure euphoric bliss, Jenni is a SOTY contender for sure. Every single aspect of this album is filled to the brim with ambition, and the vocals are absolutely on point throughout. One of those albums that reveal themselves one listen at a time
  12. BrushedRed
    May 4, 2019
    10
    Man, this album came from out of nowhere, but it has completely stunned me. It is vibrant and gorgeous in every way. It’s an auditory flowery, sunlit meadow. These are some of the most beautiful, lush tracks I’ve heard in years. The beautiful vocals and instrumentals evoke a sense of calm and peace. I was quite stunned after “UFOF” released easier in the year, but I had no idea it wouldn’tMan, this album came from out of nowhere, but it has completely stunned me. It is vibrant and gorgeous in every way. It’s an auditory flowery, sunlit meadow. These are some of the most beautiful, lush tracks I’ve heard in years. The beautiful vocals and instrumentals evoke a sense of calm and peace. I was quite stunned after “UFOF” released easier in the year, but I had no idea it wouldn’t even be the best song on here. That would be “Terminal Paradise,” which might be the most gorgeous song I’ve heard in years. Definitely listen to this!… Expand
  13. musicwizard636
    May 3, 2019
    10
    As someone who has been front and center since their spectacular 2016 debut “Masterpiece”, I have now discovered that album was just a foreshadow to this particular release. Big Thief’s “U.F.O.F.” is a swirling, weightless indie-folk dream. It’s the ultimate combination of musical strengths, poetic lyricism, and a lifetime of experiences. Possibly the greatest indie-folk effort sinceAs someone who has been front and center since their spectacular 2016 debut “Masterpiece”, I have now discovered that album was just a foreshadow to this particular release. Big Thief’s “U.F.O.F.” is a swirling, weightless indie-folk dream. It’s the ultimate combination of musical strengths, poetic lyricism, and a lifetime of experiences. Possibly the greatest indie-folk effort since Neutral Milk Hotel’s, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Album of 2019
89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2019
52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. No Ripcord
    Jun 19, 2019
    70
    The band fills U.F.O.F. with a rich tapestry of textural tones, almost to the point of oversaturation. It's so embedded in their songs that they somehow get lost in their creation, filled with awe and wonder (and some healthy pretension).
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  2. DIY Magazine
    May 24, 2019
    70
    It feels darker an offering than some of their earlier work, more textured and full of otherworldly sound effects that often only become obvious on multiple listens.
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  3. Under The Radar
    May 21, 2019
    85
    The band has flipped the script and turned the focus inwards, reflecting on the unfathomable that pervades our every moment and delivering a performance of masterfully honed restraint that perfectly encapsulates their invitation to discover the vast and alien within the seemingly familiar.
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