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What Matters Most
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What Matters Most Image
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length solo studio release from Ben Folds features guest appearances by dodie and Tall Heights.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Under The Radar
    Jun 12, 2023
    80
    Ben Folds has made a welcome return to the world of popular music with What Matters Most. While some of his contemporaries are content to peddle nostalgia, Folds continues to stretch out and try new styles for size. Fortunately for us, they all seem to fit him perfectly.
  2. Mojo
    May 31, 2023
    80
    What Matters Most is near faultless; a whole semester of song-craft in 40 minutes. [Jul 2023, p.90]
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  3. musicOMH.com
    May 31, 2023
    70
    There’s no big anthem like Landed, and sometimes you do yearn to hear Folds properly hammering his piano like in his early solo days or during his time with Ben Folds Five.
  4. Glide Magazine
    May 31, 2023
    70
    Folds is past aiming for radio airplay and mass appeal and focused more on creating experimental songs that appeal to his creativity. And sometimes those moments of inspiration take him back to the beginning and sound a lot like he did when he first started out.
  5. American Songwriter
    Jun 16, 2023
    70
    It’s a feeling of abject determination that makes this album different from many of Folds’ earlier endeavors, and, as a result, a somewhat more earnest offering as well. In that sense, What Matters Most reflects all its name intends to claim.
  6. PopMatters
    Jun 14, 2023
    60
    What Matters Most ends up being a mixed bag. Musically, this is a strong record. .... As much as I like Ben Folds, though, hearing him come back with a new pair of songs about women who are borderline crazy is disheartening, and it casts a pall over the rest of the album. Some longtime fans might not have that same visceral reaction, and they’ll probably enjoy What Matters Most more than I did.
  7. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 5, 2023
    40
    Despite its long gestation period and pristine production, it sounds as though no one believes in What Matters Most less than Folds himself, and this bleeds through every single vocal performance and instrumental arrangement on the record.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. StefanRogall
    Jun 3, 2023
    10
    This album is an absolute masterpiece. 10 songs with magnificent melodies and intelligent lyrics, produced and arranged perfectly. Folds doesThis album is an absolute masterpiece. 10 songs with magnificent melodies and intelligent lyrics, produced and arranged perfectly. Folds does not have to prove anything anymore, with his abundance of musical brilliance and lyrical wit in full display on his previous records and on stage. But this album definitely adds another cornerstone to his catalogue, speaking so eloquently about life in these times, with his special mix of soulfulness and irony. Every song here is a winner, and "Kristine from the 7th Grade" is probably one of his best songs ever, so heartbreakingly true and beautiful. Listening to this album is inspiring, nurturing and life-affirming.… Expand
  2. Baughjaughes
    Jun 21, 2023
    9
    I've listened to Ben folds since the first ben folds five album. This is comfortably his best work since since "songs for silverman" in 2005.I've listened to Ben folds since the first ben folds five album. This is comfortably his best work since since "songs for silverman" in 2005. First of all the production here is impeccable, brass, strings, guitars and even harmonicas combine with folds' signature piano to create a gloriously sounding record. Insightful and humorous lyrics litter every song. Perhaps "clouds with ellipses" is the only song i would describe as under par with the rest of the album fantastically written. As with all my favorite music the album grows on you with each listen with some of the songs feeling a bit reserved at first. " moments " being my personal favorite currently. Well worth the wait. Hoping he creates a new album with less of a gap this time.… Expand
  4. Lajaleaa
    Jul 19, 2023
    7
    With a new album after 8 years, he comes back fearless to go big and sound alive, which is very well appreciated. There is a cute, playfulWith a new album after 8 years, he comes back fearless to go big and sound alive, which is very well appreciated. There is a cute, playful sound on this project, which makes it very accessible. Going from happy to kind of melancholic, he seems to be clever on the way he is making his music born again. There is a precious piano playing here and there on the album that keeps it all shining. There are some nice arrangements and the lyrics are tender enough to make of this a quick and easy friend. If this is a comeback from Ben Folds, then he is starting a path towards something amazing and wonderful. Hopefully he knows how to follow his path.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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