also, the second-last paragraph needs to be better organized. you begin it by isolating lyrics, but 1) don't cite any, and 2) give up discussing them entirely, and revert to discussing the synths and drums. when you write short-ish reviews (like, 2-3 paragraphs), it's ok to cram a lot of elements into one paragraph. when you get up to 5 paragraphs, it becomes essential to organize your thoughts and master your flow, or you'll lose your readers

part of why i tend to write shorter reviews is: i hate being forced to organize my reviews methodically. it feels essay-like. i much prefer a sorta stream-of-consciousness approach - typing things as i think of them. i would recommend trying to write a few more 2-3 paragraph reviews, and really force yourself to focus only on things you really want to say about the album in question, rather than trying to be a completion-ist and getting lost in your own prose.

Album Rating: 4.0

This album is all I'm fucking listening to at the moment. Every time Brittle Urchin wraps there really isn't anything else I want to listen to more than Amalia's Theme. Fucking unbelievable record.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Great review. You really touched on some key points. This will be my aoty, I have no doubt. It is love.

Will listen to this asap. Only have internet on my phone right now, so meh.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

"The song’s climax contains improvisational vocals and lyrics not included in the liner notes. Driver has insisted that Kayo Dot’s music is always planned and rehearsed ahead of time, and this moment marks an uncommon departure from that formula."



I doubt its a departure, Toby has said that even the parts of songs people refer to as "free jazz" are meticulously composed. From their track record in the past, I bet they'll perform it live and it'll be near identical sounding.

Album Rating: 3.5

Sorry I never got a chance to look this over talons. I think it's pretty good and whatever critiques I have pretty much been said. You have Johnny here so you're in pretty good hands. As opposed to the people who are just here to say the review was poor. That literally doesn't help at all and people never get that into their ignorant skulls. Like, leave SOME form of intelligent criticism come on.



Anyway, I look forward to trying this out.

Album Rating: 3.0

Yeah, wasn't feeling this too much. I mean it's good, but it's easily one of their weakest.

Album Rating: 2.5

i thought this was just standard electronica tbh, idk why y'all gaggin but i guess another spin is due

Album Rating: 3.0

does 'standard electronica' really mean anything though?

It really doesn't.

Album Rating: 4.0

Every time Brittle Urchin wraps there really isn't anything else I want to listen to more than Amalia's Theme. [2]











"Anyway, I look forward to trying this out."





Don't worry, you'll give it no more than a 3 as it's way too pretentious probably

Album Rating: 3.5

Good job playing it up for me

this is pretty weak

Album Rating: 4.0

^ See, this will be you in a few days time, Mongi =)

Album Rating: 2.5

does 'standard electronica' really mean anything though?

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Yeah, I guess we're hearing and understanding this album pretty differently.

I'm getting gradually a little more into it, but I still do feel it's easily the weakest/most flawed thing in Toby's discography. I'm not an AotY guy, but, merely ok as this is, it would still probably be at home among the top contenders you named, which I'd agree with for the most part. I don't feel like I've heard anything earth-shattering this year.



It was just occurring to me that, while on the past three records Toby's focusing more on considering the listener in his writing, making things exciting and more deliberately relatable, wheras before that wasn't at all a factor, I can get into it less and less. I'm finding the deliberateness of that comes through and it's a bit off-putting for me. The music seems to also be becoming decreasingly pastoral and increasingly urban since the move to New York. PHoBoS seems to be the most reflective of that move, sounding very much like the city feels, dense as fuck, unceasingly active, claustrophobic, full of degradation and neon...

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

people that say this is average crack me up tbh, even if one doesn't like it, i can't see how anyone can call this any particular genre; it doesn't conform in the slightest. name any album (not by kd) that sounds remotely similar. this isn't electronica at all, its just pure, unrelenting avantgarde. the only thing that is slightly electronic are the keyboard tones and drums in amalia's theme. the songs are more prog rock than electronic.



also people need to jam some 90s susumu hirasawa to know where toby is coming from with this. it's easily one of kd's a beautiful tribute to that brilliant man.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

"The music seems to also be becoming decreasingly pastoral and increasingly urban since the move to New York."



Agree with this hard, kind of fascinating

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

In light of this, I'm rooting for his move to Europe lol

Album Rating: 4.5

Very well written review and Kayo Dot again does not disappoint, great album!