Visuals
by Mew
  • Record Label: PIAS
  • Release Date: Apr 28, 2017
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
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  1. BrushedRed
    Apr 28, 2017
    8
    More different than anything Mew have ever done. Even though Mew have been quite quirky and unpredictable over the years, I usually immediately get and appreciate every release. That wasn't necessarily the case with this one. I was a bit confused upon first listen. They've completely ditched any type of progressive/indie/art rock for a more lightly progressive indie pop sound. The guitarsMore different than anything Mew have ever done. Even though Mew have been quite quirky and unpredictable over the years, I usually immediately get and appreciate every release. That wasn't necessarily the case with this one. I was a bit confused upon first listen. They've completely ditched any type of progressive/indie/art rock for a more lightly progressive indie pop sound. The guitars are pretty minimal and most are completely replaced by synths. Do not let that deter you though. It's quite a fantastic album. The first 3 tracks on here are particularly amazing, but every song here is pretty strong, though I do wish Zanzibar were longer. It's very pretty but too short. Also this album lacks an epic closer like every other Mew album has contained. I feel like those that really love Mew, such as myself, will love this. It may not immediately spark, but I feel it definitely will if you stick with it. This album grows like crazy. And last but not least, the opening track here is one of their best songs… Expand
  2. auteur55
    Apr 28, 2017
    9
    Captivating from its first note till its last. The most criminally underrated and enigmatic band of the last 20 years return (rather quickly) with another gorgeous, lush, unpredictable, fascinating batch of smoother, experimental synth pop. Not as dark or aggressive as Glass-handed kites or No More Stories but explores a smoother, more playful side of the band that started with theCaptivating from its first note till its last. The most criminally underrated and enigmatic band of the last 20 years return (rather quickly) with another gorgeous, lush, unpredictable, fascinating batch of smoother, experimental synth pop. Not as dark or aggressive as Glass-handed kites or No More Stories but explores a smoother, more playful side of the band that started with the astonishing +-. Kind of amazing at this point to still see US/UK critics (again) completely missing it with this band. I'm convinced they'll be discovered by someone long after they're gone and a retrospective lauding how inventive and ahead of their time this band was will endear a new generation of fans who'll wonder how we missed it so horribly when they were actually around. Can't wait to spend the rest of the year discovering new things buried deep within as Mew records grow with every listen.… Expand
  3. Lepescadofisher
    Apr 29, 2017
    10
    Una palabra para describir este disco sería: Pop Inteligente. ¿Porqué? El album desde el principio se veia que tendría en su sonido la ausencia de su guitarrista "Bo Madsen", una carga que ha muchos "Frengers" les generaría ruído, sin embargo, el sonido de Mew en este disco es una gran solución por la inclusión de muchos otros instrumentos, lo que deja a la banda en una nueva faceta queUna palabra para describir este disco sería: Pop Inteligente. ¿Porqué? El album desde el principio se veia que tendría en su sonido la ausencia de su guitarrista "Bo Madsen", una carga que ha muchos "Frengers" les generaría ruído, sin embargo, el sonido de Mew en este disco es una gran solución por la inclusión de muchos otros instrumentos, lo que deja a la banda en una nueva faceta que agrega al trabajo de esta banda un buen material comercial, cosa que jamás, y repito, jamás los integrantes se habían aventurado a hacer.
    Es cierto, no es por mucho el mejor album de la banda, le falta el sonido progresivo que dió fama a la banda, sin embargo, se nota a leguas que no es esa la intención de este album.
    A quienes les molesta el pop y a éste lo entienden como producto de la mediocridad, les digo algo, el pop más mediocre que escuchamos en la radio no tiene ni por mínimo el trabajo de este album, que por muy ligero que se llegue a escuchar, se notan las mil y un influencias que la banda tuvo para hacer este trabajo, y por esto mismo digo que es un pop muy inteligente.
    Si la calificación que le pongo es demasiado y un poco irreal, estoy de acuerdo, de hecho, la calificación se la puse para ayudar al album a escalar un poco más en la calificación de Metacritic    … Expand
  4. weltall89
    Apr 29, 2017
    4
    Mew seem to be languishing artistically at this stage in their career. It may be an improvement over the similarly over-produced +-, however the absence of human performance and musical nuance is even more lacking with this effort. The entire album feels claustrophobic, being dominated by Bjerre's smothered harmonies and his unconvinving (bordering on cheesy) synth pads and melodies.Mew seem to be languishing artistically at this stage in their career. It may be an improvement over the similarly over-produced +-, however the absence of human performance and musical nuance is even more lacking with this effort. The entire album feels claustrophobic, being dominated by Bjerre's smothered harmonies and his unconvinving (bordering on cheesy) synth pads and melodies. Wohlert holds the bass down sufficiently, however the prodigious talents of Silas Graae are woefully absent. His once thunderous, lively and imaginative drumming style has been restricted to be nothing more than dull and robotic, a beat drawn by piano-roll wouldn't be much worse. After the creative peak of the mid 2000s, they have spent much of the past decade seemingly content to rehash musical trends (2000s Bloc Party, Animal Collective, M83) that were better realised by other bands, years before. Rather than allow their idiosyncratic talents to shine, they neuter themselves and refuse to play to their strengths. A real shame.… Expand
  5. Kaffekaffe
    May 5, 2017
    10
    This album is what I needed. Great sound. Jonas Bjerre is out of this world, fantastic voice. Better than +/- in my opinion. Can't wait to hear this blend of otherworldly music played LIVE. Thank you Mew
  6. emilspn
    Nov 30, 2017
    8
    Just saw them live in the Visuals tour after a passion that has been lasting for more than 10 years and I was definitely impressed. Visuals is another great piece of work from the Danish band, for sure not their best, maybe not unforgettable but with still a lot of say, both for the lyrics and the music. It's not an album easy to listen to and you will probably need various times to fullyJust saw them live in the Visuals tour after a passion that has been lasting for more than 10 years and I was definitely impressed. Visuals is another great piece of work from the Danish band, for sure not their best, maybe not unforgettable but with still a lot of say, both for the lyrics and the music. It's not an album easy to listen to and you will probably need various times to fully appreciate it. But then you will be totally immersed in their dreaming atmosphere, still so strong after 20 years in the scene.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 23, 2017
    80
    Visuals is probably the most ‘simple’ Mew has been since Frengers (albeit without that album’s jet engine roar), but if it never quite reaches the twisty heights of +--it remains endearing nonetheless.
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    May 30, 2017
    70
    Far from perfect, but confident and assured.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 9, 2017
    80
    Visuals spatters Mew's art-rock sensibilities on a pop canvas. [Jul 2017, p.111]
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