• Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Oct 14, 2016
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Oct 6, 2016
    100
    Give Utopia Defeated time, and the alien logic that binds this outstanding record begins to unfurl and initial skepticism turns to sheer awe.
  2. Oct 13, 2016
    80
    While not all of Utopia Defeated's tracks are as immediately engaging as the aforementioned highlights, Perry introduces a unique vision and his impressive debut is well worth the time it takes to let it decant.
  3. Oct 7, 2016
    80
    It’s a record that’s well-travelled, that’s absorbed a whole myriad of influence and taken two years to digest it into something cohesive. But, impressively, it’s a record that still holds its identity despite all the ideas it’s binding together.
  4. Uncut
    Oct 6, 2016
    80
    Utopia Defeated justifies the hype. [Nov 2016, p.26]
  5. Mojo
    Oct 6, 2016
    80
    The result is a most ambitious, rewarding and soulful debut. [Nov 2016, p.86]
  6. Oct 6, 2016
    80
    He is undoubtedly an absurdly talented fellow, and has the creative potential to make a truly ground breaking album. This isn’t that, but it is a strong debut.
  7. Nov 4, 2016
    70
    The influence of earthy sub-Saharan blues is readily apparent on the choppy fretwork of ‘Walrus’, and the raw loops he creates by on-the-fly sampling have universal appeal. Similarly his voice, with its soaring inflections and echoes of Sting and Jeff Buckley, is a hugely effective tool.
  8. Q Magazine
    Oct 19, 2016
    60
    It's enjoyable inventive stuff, although the world music influences and Perry's scat singing style can make him sound unnervingly like Sting at times. [Dec 2016, p.106]
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Oct 14, 2016
    9
    Could well be album of the year. I haven't heard such an organic album that defies categorisation in a long, long time. Beautiful sounds andCould well be album of the year. I haven't heard such an organic album that defies categorisation in a long, long time. Beautiful sounds and a wonderful voice. Full Review »