Oneohtrix Point Never - Returnal
Critic Score
Based on 11 reviews
2010 Ratings: #37 / 924
Year End Rank: #42
User Score
Based on 232 ratings
2010 Rank: #107
Liked by 20 people
June 21, 2010 / Release Date
LP / Format
Editions Mego / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
FACT Magazine

I thought it was ambient. The riveting, often terrifying Returnal makes me ashamed for thinking any such thing: Daniel Lopatin is the real deal, deserving of his current elevated status, and even if he never makes another good record again, this one will endure.

90
Resident Advisor

It's only mid-July, Returnal still seems like a lock for record of the year in a throwback genre expanding beyond cassette-collectors and Brain Records lovers.

82
Pitchfork
Having softened his attacks and smeared his notes into indefinite shapes, he seems to sever the music from any kind of causality, so that it simply floats freely, morphing, rippling in a dance of infinite regeneration, like some perfect lifeform.
80
Drowned in Sound

Both beautiful and terrible at once, Returnal is the aural equivalent of a scuba dive in the open ocean.

80
Tiny Mix Tapes

Lopatin dissects elements of sound and arranges them into new magickal sigils, making Returnal not just a collection of tracks but an indivisible and cohesive whole, held in place this time not by grids and zones but by atmospheres and plumes. 

80
PopMatters
As usual, one of music’s most exciting artists has put out a challenging, unexpected, and brain-melting record.
77
Coke Machine Glow

Perhaps the most humane action Lopatin’s performed on Returnal is to trim it, keeping things tight at a prompt forty minutes.

68
Beats Per Minute

Returnal is a cinematic, flowing story. It will scare you, soothe you, and will cause your mind to create its own visual landscape. It will force you to listen to it as a soundtrack. It’s guaranteed to wear you out through the physicality of its sound but calm you with its gentle textures.

nino21321312312
90

Returnal is as disturbing as you can think of but also a very peaceful album with many unique textures and sounds. Oneohtrix Point Never creates a bizarre atmosphere that is quite hard to get for the first time but is most satisfying and amazing.

koxtil
NR

A nice ambient album, but the main highlight are the first three songs and how they kick off the whole record.

KingIsCole10
67

A really interesting and exciting project from Daniel that while I find to be mostly enjoyable, there are parts I found to be kinda boring. Best tracks on the album are Stress Waves, Returnal and Pelham Island Road.

Vidoben
90

This album marks Lopatin's turning point from ambient drone to progressive experimental electronica, and it succeeds at merging the two styles into a captivating listening experience.

Krolljr
90

The first 4 tracks all in a row are pure transcendence. The Other 4 songs are good too. Nil Admirari sounds like death (in a good way) and everything else is pure electronic beauty. The return of the glitchiness in Preyouandi is pretty sick too. Plus the vocals on Returnal are totally unexpected but really sick. If I had to pick a favorite track though, it would be Stress Waves. It feels like waves of stress leave me every time I put it on. Listen this album is a good.

JulianGevarra
70

I'm tired of pretending I understand ambient, I don't :'c. But it just felt like I was walking into my blender's wires and it felt cool.

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