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Who Am I? Image
Metascore
62

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

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British indie-pop band was recorded in Los Angeles with Rich Costey.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Feb 11, 2021
    80
    Emerging from a phase of growing pains and fitting perfectly into the mould of an awe- inspiring frontwoman, Baron-Gracie lays bare everything from depression and darkness to clarity and optimism with her mature songwriting.
  2. 80
    There have been plenty of albums borne out of the pandemic (Swift’s ‘Folklore’ era) and some whose recording wrapped up before it all went to pot (Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’), but few bridge the gap between the old and new world quite like ‘Who Am I?’ The band capture their optimism of a new life worth living, but never shy away laying bare the challenges of doing so in times like these.
  3. Feb 12, 2021
    77
    Where tracks on My Mind Makes Noises had a tendency to blend together, Who Am I? flows without becoming repetitive. Winding between melancholy ballads, poignant love songs and screamable rock anthems, the album displays a range and skill that make Pale Waves a force to be reckoned with.
  4. Feb 11, 2021
    70
    It takes a certain wide-eyed energy to make cracking pop music, something Pale Waves definitely possess - and though ‘Who Am I?’ isn’t quite the bastion of empowerment it was intended to be, it has some glimmering moments.
  5. 70
    Who Am I? may be a sidestep on their journey to individuality — distancing themselves from comparisons to The 1975 by emulating Avril Lavigne isn’t exactly a foolproof plan — but for a band still early in their career, it’s another definite confirmation of their potential until they eventually carve out a niche of their own.
  6. Feb 18, 2021
    62
    The dewy-eyed sound of Who Am I? appeals to a younger generation, confirming that modern Britpop doesn’t always equate to aggressive young men—it can be gentle goths with their friends, writing songs for kids hoping to figure out who they are. All Pale Waves have to do now is figure out the answer to that question themselves.
  7. 40
    Despite the album’s slick production and radio-ready melodies, one wishes Pale Waves could find a more sophisticated language to express youthful enlightenment.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Feb 12, 2021
    9
    A good easy listening album. Not pretentious, not unpretentious, only they having fun and saying what they feel with a little bit of earlyA good easy listening album. Not pretentious, not unpretentious, only they having fun and saying what they feel with a little bit of early Avril influence Expand
  2. Feb 17, 2021
    8
    So easy to listen to and the whole album just feels like a good time. Also, might just be me but I feel a touch of Avril Lavigne in this albumSo easy to listen to and the whole album just feels like a good time. Also, might just be me but I feel a touch of Avril Lavigne in this album which is far from a bad thing. Expand
  3. Mar 5, 2021
    7
    This album is not that great, but some songs in it are probably on the run for songs of the year.
  4. Mar 5, 2021
    6
    Too heavy on their influences, ends up with no originality. Well crafted songs, sounds like they're having fun. if I come across a song of theToo heavy on their influences, ends up with no originality. Well crafted songs, sounds like they're having fun. if I come across a song of the album on the radio, i will be glad to listen to it, but that's about it. Expand