Vessel
by Frankie Cosmos
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Mar 30, 2018
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
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  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 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    Each 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 a pouty teenager who is grounded in their room. Angsty enough that they think about escaping, but too scared to actually disobey the parents.
  3. 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 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    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 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

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 2, 2018
    50
    It results in a pleasant, but mostly quite forgettable listen.
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  2. DIY Magazine
    Mar 30, 2018
    80
    It’s the fuller pieces that really make you want to keep coming back.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
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