ULTRAPOP
by The Armed
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MrGilhaney
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    This is pop music, and it's sensational. There is no way to not enjoy this.
  2. Hardyboy
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    This is soundtrack for your life. Once you turn this collection of whitegaze hymns on - there is no way back to ugly world. Dimension of Refracting will open. Sound is source. AOTC
  3. chessknot
    Apr 17, 2021
    10
    Without a doubt the best release of 2021 so far, what an experience. A true new experience and eye-opener for listeners and lovers of heavy music. The 3rd full-lenght album is a true evolution of their sound and boy ohhh boy, they nailed it on this one... Not to miss. Kurt Ballou is again the executive producer behind this thing of course. Absolute masterpiece and already an essential lpWithout a doubt the best release of 2021 so far, what an experience. A true new experience and eye-opener for listeners and lovers of heavy music. The 3rd full-lenght album is a true evolution of their sound and boy ohhh boy, they nailed it on this one... Not to miss. Kurt Ballou is again the executive producer behind this thing of course. Absolute masterpiece and already an essential lp for modern heavy music. It's pop, it's hardcore, it's mathy, catchy, noisy, evil, happy... It's the Armed,.. in all it's glory. Refract and only love.… Expand
  4. g3bp
    Apr 17, 2021
    10
    absolutely essential listening for any fan of "heavy" music. this behemoth encrusts its pop-punk and math-metal progenitors in an intoxicating neon pink, bubblegum glow. utterly original. the most surprising accomplishment I've encountered in years.
  5. wheelzr
    Apr 22, 2021
    10
    I can’t believe a band finally figured out a way to combine so many different genres onto a single pop album cohesively. The energy is all punk rock. Horns accompany distorted guitars—and it doesn’t like **** somehow. Drums are annihilating. More guest appearances than a Dr Dre record. Artwork and lyrics have gone full frontal on the cult-like, shamen-esque preaching. I love it. DirectlyI can’t believe a band finally figured out a way to combine so many different genres onto a single pop album cohesively. The energy is all punk rock. Horns accompany distorted guitars—and it doesn’t like **** somehow. Drums are annihilating. More guest appearances than a Dr Dre record. Artwork and lyrics have gone full frontal on the cult-like, shamen-esque preaching. I love it. Directly speaking to their audience, and at times poking at their own die-hard, possibly deranged subset fans.

    The Armed used to be the most mysterious band in whatever is left of the punk rock and hardcore scene. They have transcended their genre musically, like many before, most notably Cave In. I can’t stop listening to Iteration, a life so wonderful, All futures and Masunaga Vapors. It’s been my most replayed album of the year so far.    … Expand
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    7
    Fantastic head bashing heavy rock! A cohesive no rules pop album finally executed correctly. A band to watch.
  7. Pavemental
    Apr 23, 2022
    2
    Basically, if you want very loud feedback with hardcore punk rock buried deep underneath - then you might like this album. I'm baffled by all the good reviews.
    I thought my version of this album was mangled and corrupted. I had to verify that the sound was correct by listening to a youtube video of one of the songs.
  8. Daegor
    Apr 19, 2021
    10
    Flawless. AOTY for sure. My favourite track keeps changing, but right now it's Bad Selection.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - 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
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 30, 2021
    80
    Aptly named, Ultrapop administers a constant barrage of sonic information that shows no delineation between discomfort, reassurance, pain, or pleasure.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    May 18, 2021
    80
    For music as heavy as this, the performances and production are impressively agile and light on their feet. Ultrapop is clear-eyed and enraged, pristine and pulsing with adrenaline. [Jun 2021, p.46]
  3. No Ripcord
    May 17, 2021
    80
    As madcap of a concept as ULTRAPOP appears to be, its musical thrust feels purposeful in its creation and curation.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »