Whole New Mess
by Angel Olsen
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JEMR
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Phases meets All Mirrors, this is the rough idea that Olsen's makes real this time. Un álbum indie tan exquisito como una melodía celestial.
  2. Cristianisfunky
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Cada trabajo de Angel es un completo placer ser escuchado apenas descubrí a esta chica con All Mirrors pero con este álbum parece haber encontrado su estilo musical que le queda como anillo al dedo.
  3. cluuump
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    It is very simple but perfect, in this album there is nothing to spare, it is very similar to All Mirrors but very different
  4. hellokittypie
    Sep 6, 2020
    10
    A true masterpiece, am I living or just enjoying the intimacy of Angel Olsen's most renowned album? I really don't know, thanks for all this mess.
  5. Evic21
    Sep 28, 2020
    9
    Compared to All Mirrors, there is actual emotion and depth to these songs whereas its predecessor was muddled with needless flourishes and sounds. Even with its minimalist approach, there is more life on Whole New Mess that blisters the heart.
  6. themusicfiend
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    Not many artists would be willing to release the demos of one of the most critically acclaimed albums of last year. However, Angel Olsen presents the early versions of the songs which were released in her fourth studio album. While All Mirrors felt like a grandiose statement of Olsen’s artistry, Whole New Mess is full of rawness and vulnerability, which makes the songs sound more sincere.Not many artists would be willing to release the demos of one of the most critically acclaimed albums of last year. However, Angel Olsen presents the early versions of the songs which were released in her fourth studio album. While All Mirrors felt like a grandiose statement of Olsen’s artistry, Whole New Mess is full of rawness and vulnerability, which makes the songs sound more sincere. In her first solo act in years, Angel’s voice and talent as a songwriter are able to shine without the full ensemble masking any of the emotions that she was trying to deliver. Whole New Mess doesn’t feel like an unfinished product of All Mirrors. Instead, it feels like a completely different project which Angel had envisioned from the beginning.… Expand
  7. Elxr
    May 17, 2021
    10
    This album means a lot to me, it’s perfect in every way and it’s really the only album I’ve been listening to for the past few days/week
    My favorite songs on it are:
    Too Easy (Bigger Than Us)
    Whole New Mess
    (New Love) Cassette
    Waving, Smiling
    Lark Song
    Chance (Forever Love)
    What It Is (What It Is)

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. PopMatters
    Sep 24, 2020
    70
    No one would call this a pretty album. It's much too stark. But something is riveting about the way Olsen coos to herself that's soft and comforting.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 1, 2020
    80
    Whole New Mess has a singular power. The songs are spare but still feel electric, and despite their lower volume compared to All Mirrors, you couldn’t necessarily call them quiet. Their slow-strummed chords and finger-picked patterns are at times deliberately brittle and blown-out. Whole New Mess amplifies a different source of loudness.
    Read full review
  3. DIY Magazine
    Aug 31, 2020
    80
    It’s a record of personal growth in its most authentic form. It’s nice to finally hear the whole story.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »