User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Vessel
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Vessel Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest release for the New York indie pop project of Greta Kline is its first on the Sub Pop label.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Paste Magazine
    Mar 27, 2018
    85
    Kline’s lyrics, underscored by offbeat, Phil Elverum-like vocal delivery, teeter on an exquisite line between goofiness and sharp honesty, mundanity and magic. In the end, it comes down hard on the side of magic.
  2. AllMusic
    Mar 29, 2018
    80
    While the band's involvement, particularly more active drums, help the sound lean forward, Frankie Cosmos' essential musical qualities remain: hooky melodies, a disarming lyrical style, and impressive efficiency (Vessel's 18 tracks clock in at 33 minutes).
  3. Exclaim
    Mar 27, 2018
    80
    With a staggering 18 songs, Vessel may appear daunting at first, but quickly proves itself to be a sharp and smooth listen.
  4. DIY Magazine
    Mar 30, 2018
    80
    It’s the fuller pieces that really make you want to keep coming back.
  5. Pitchfork
    Mar 29, 2018
    78
    Vessel is not the first album I would suggest to an uninitiated Frankie Cosmos fan. Still, as with any great book or television series, you want to continue following along, even if the best place to start is at the beginning.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Mar 30, 2018
    75
    Some of her ditties don’t even top a minute, as in the appealing piano plinks of “Ur Up,” and some of her rhyme schemes can get a bit laborious.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 2, 2018
    50
    It results in a pleasant, but mostly quite forgettable listen.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. what-the-ell
    Apr 18, 2018
    10
    Each Frankie Cosmos album expertly captures the highs and lows of a unique time in lead singer Greta Kline's life, and "Vessel" is noEach Frankie Cosmos album expertly captures the highs and lows of a unique time in lead singer Greta Kline's life, and "Vessel" is no exception. The quirky, poetic lyrics and vibrant, catchy melodies in "Vessel" weave together to form an album that isn't so much a linear story as it is an authentic tug of war of emotion.

    While a few songs, including "Jesse," the first single released from the album, seem reminiscent of "Next Thing," it's clear that Frankie Cosmos as a band has worked hard to add a new layer of complexity to their sound, increasingly evident in songs like "Apathy" and "Cafeteria."

    However, throughout "Vessel," there's an overwhelming sense that even as Frankie Cosmos grows, they know who they are. This sense of identity comes through in their lyrics, like those referencing JoJo the dog in "Bus Bus Train Train," and in their careful rerecording of "Duet," one of Kline's older songs.

    The album is all about questioning and struggling, but one thing is clear: Frankie Cosmos isn't running away from their old sound. The sound is evolving along with them.    … Expand
  2. fwtll636
    May 20, 2018
    7
    Frankie Cosmos has released an album that is cute and catchy, yet at times childish and distracted. 'Vessel' feels like it was written by aFrankie Cosmos has released an album that is cute and catchy, yet at times childish and distracted. 'Vessel' feels like it was written by a pouty teenager who is grounded in their room. Angsty enough that they think about escaping, but too scared to actually disobey the parents.… Expand
  4. vaineratom
    Nov 30, 2020
    7
    Nice listen but a lot of the songs are kind of forgettable. I really liked the redone versions of Duet and especially Being Alive. I do likeNice listen but a lot of the songs are kind of forgettable. I really liked the redone versions of Duet and especially Being Alive. I do like the higher production budget but something that Next Thing and other previous albums were capable of despite a lower production budget was having a soul.

    What I mean is previous albums like " Next Thing" "Zentropy" "Love Rind" and "Donuts" are gems that glisten with new vibrant colours you have never seen but Vessel is like a diamond. It doesn't have a colour and or a soul.

    I fear that many people will listen to this and not get drawn into the hidden iceberg or Kleins work.    … Expand

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT - Taylor Swift
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
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 Lahai - Sampha
All Current Music »