Fading Lines

Amber Arcades - Fading Lines
Critic Score
Based on 15 reviews
2016 Ratings: #173 / 1004
User Score
Based on 64 ratings
2016 Rank: #416
Liked by 1 person
June 3, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Heavenly / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
Drowned in Sound
So here we are with an album that contains no filler whatsoever, that doesn't repeat itself even if some of the reference points are quite identifiable. And more importantly never loses the impact or initial excitement encountered by that first listen to every subsequent one after.
100
The Skinny
Blissful, elegant records like this do not come about by chance.
85
Under the Radar

There may be better albums than Fading Lines released in 2016, but it's doubtful whether any of them will contain the same perfectly-weighted combination of sounds and influences. A truly beguiling debut.

80
AllMusic

She proves adept at so many styles within her chosen niche on Fading Lines that her next album could go in any of four or five directions and sound very good. Or it could sound exactly the same and be well worth everyone's time.

80
The Line of Best Fit

It’s ... one of the most infectious collections of pop songs written on an electric guitar this year.

80
Clash

Ripe with subtle nuance, ‘Fading Lines’ is an exquisite debut. Seemingly simple yet running far deeper than cursory listens reveal, it’s a record that sticks with you long after the closing notes of the aptly titled ‘White Fuzz’ fade out.

70
musicOMH

Fading Lines has ten tracks of gauzy, echo-laden indie-pop for the desk-bound daydreamer.

70
No Ripcord

With a tuneful ear reminiscent of Bradford Cox, de Graaf likes to simplify things with uncomplicated song structures that emphasize steady rhythms instated of glazing them with loaded synth textures.

70
Loud and Quiet
With intelligent lyricism, euphonious vocals and just the right level of winsomeness, this may be the new soundtrack to your post-festival comedown.
60
PopMatters

Amber Arcades uses reverb, jangling chords and drifting, repetitive musical figures to enhance what are mostly typical pop songs.

60
The Guardian
There are longueurs, but there’s also the sense of a real talent.
MusicXXY
83

Such a brave and bold debut, Amber cleverly manipulates the clinical production with simple yet deep lyrical contents. It's 2021 and Fading Lines still sounds fresh and I don't mind revisiting it over and over again.

Key tracks : Constant's Dream, I Will Follow, This Time

ZoilPlaylist
95

Love Her Voice

70

Amber Arcades makes wistful, very pretty dream pop music that is a lot more dreamy than it is poppy. Especially for a debut album, the sound is impressively focused and cohesive, and Amber Arcades display some solid songwriting chops. The album does sort of seem to float away on its own lightweight-ness, however, and the melodies don't stick as much as you'd hope.

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Added on: April 22, 2016