Wildflower
by The Avalanches
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
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  1. Record Collector
    Jul 15, 2016
    60
    After the lengthy wait, at over 20 tracks and about an hour long, Wildflower doesn’t skimp on quantity even if it does resemble a pent-up outpouring of everything The Avalanches have completed (or at least legally cleared), rather than a meticulously curated collection.
  2. The Skinny
    Jul 1, 2016
    60
    At 20 tracks long, however, it takes some serious listening to get through the whole thing, and a sense of sag in the latter third threatens to overpower on the first few spins. Essentially, this flower could've used a little more judicious pruning.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 1, 2016
    40
    There are far too many children’s voices, snatches of birdsong, glissandi of saccharine strings, and always the half-heard, half-sensed thwack of Frisbee upon social media manager.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best Album of 2016
65
#65 Most Discussed Album of 2016
72
#72 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 120 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 136
  3. Negative: 11 out of 136
  1. IanJWalters
    Jul 5, 2016
    10
    I signed up for Metacritic just to write this review. I find this album to be so special that I want to be a part of theI signed up for Metacritic just to write this review. I find this album to be so special that I want to be a part of the art-objectifying-via-ranking community to help secure its place in the collective consciousness for years to come. This album is a joyful swirl of nostalgic funkiness. It's beautiful. Wistful. I have long considered SILY to be a desert island album to keep my joy alive if I was all alone on this planet, so I had the highest of hopes for their follow-up, and, amazingly, not only did it not disappoint me it revealed new depths of joy, gratitude and dance moves in my emotional and physical lexicon. I will be returning to this album, I expect, for the rest of my life. It makes me happy and sad at the same time, while propelling me in time through dance.

    Magic.    … Full Review »
  2. frienderman
    Jul 19, 2016
    5
    As much as it is rewarding to listen to, it often feels as if it crumbles under its own weight as a dense and scenic album. While it may be aAs much as it is rewarding to listen to, it often feels as if it crumbles under its own weight as a dense and scenic album. While it may be a tribute to the barren beauties of Australia, "Wildflower" somewhat fails to encapsulate them.… Full Review »
  3. brockcheese
    Jul 5, 2016
    8
    I've waited a long time for this album and I'll be honest if I say that I'm slightly disappointed. The rap parts are a great bonus, yet theI've waited a long time for this album and I'll be honest if I say that I'm slightly disappointed. The rap parts are a great bonus, yet the tracks do feel a bit repetitive and tiring at times.… Full Review »
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