WE
by Arcade Fire
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: May 6, 2022
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 99
  3. Negative: 5 out of 99
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  1. bhappenstance
    May 10, 2022
    3
    WE comes across as a desperate attempt to course correct from the glorified-high-school-term-paper that was Everything Now. And like EN, there are a few standout tracks that sadly can only serve as brief reminders of the electric verve that used to saturate AF albums. But their once-invigorating DIY bombast has steadily given way to bland disco-inspired synth beats and mopey, mumblecoreWE comes across as a desperate attempt to course correct from the glorified-high-school-term-paper that was Everything Now. And like EN, there are a few standout tracks that sadly can only serve as brief reminders of the electric verve that used to saturate AF albums. But their once-invigorating DIY bombast has steadily given way to bland disco-inspired synth beats and mopey, mumblecore vocals. Like any group of artists coming off of a devastating career low, one can forgive their desire to play it safe. But what craters this album is that their creative defensive crouch is inversely proportional to the thermostat-shattering self-regard in which Arcade Fire increasingly seems to hold itself. Each song practically screams "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT THAT WE ARE MAKING A PROFOUND STATEMENT ON." Which, whether you agree with their stance or not, is about as enjoyable as listening to your pompous uncle pontificate on the root causes of Trumpism over Thanksgiving dinner. That said, the real tragedy at this juncture is that Arcade Fire now sounds like a lot of other music already out there. Maybe this is partly because of the band's influence, but it's also because AF has abandoned so much of the tempestuous, pulse-pounding, go-for-broke, throw-it-all-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks style that made them such a force of nature in the first place. As such, I can't help but read the other Butler brother's quitting the band as a lost plea to return to their roots, rather than preach and pander.

    **** I miss when this band was fun.    … Expand
  2. JustinKlimkait
    Jun 14, 2022
    0
    I have listened to this album approximately 30 times by now since it first came out. While at first I was not sure what I thought, with each listen the lyrics, pacing of the songs, and the overall flow of the songs have hit harder and harder to me. It is truly one of the best albums I have had the pleasure of listening to in recent memory and has led me to instantly buying a generalI have listened to this album approximately 30 times by now since it first came out. While at first I was not sure what I thought, with each listen the lyrics, pacing of the songs, and the overall flow of the songs have hit harder and harder to me. It is truly one of the best albums I have had the pleasure of listening to in recent memory and has led me to instantly buying a general admission ticket (cannot wait) to see them for the first time this winter. Excellent album overall and has reinvigorated my love for this band.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. No Ripcord
    May 26, 2022
    60
    There’s lots to love but WE can’t match the power of the band’s first four records. Still, Arcade Fire’s returned rejuvenated after time in a cynical wilderness, ready to sing and dance against apathy. This album is worth it for that fact alone.
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  2. Record Collector
    May 23, 2022
    60
    If Everything Now’s readings of media-age malaise leant towards the grindingly obvious, WE is a partial improvement, give or take singer Win Butler’s occasional clunking takes on modern-life exhaustion.
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  3. Sputnikmusic
    May 11, 2022
    52
    This may well be the group’s most sonically diverse outing yet, for good and for ill; even on the many occasions it isn’t convincing, it often manages enough novelty to entertain nonetheless, and Nigel Godrich's impeccable production job certainly makes the whole affair easy on the ears.
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