Limits of Desire

Small Black - Limits of Desire
Critic Score
Based on 14 reviews
2013 Ratings: #956 / 1115
User Score
Based on 31 ratings
Liked by 3 people
May 14, 2013 / Release Date
LP / Format
Jagjaguwar / Label
Chillwave / Genre
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CRITIC REVIEWS

70
Tiny Mix Tapes

While some might be disappointed that the band have largely jettisoned the unvarnished zaps and buzzes of that debut and their self-titled EP, there will be others who’ll find the nuanced gleam and halcyonic spunk of the present LP much more inviting.

70
Consequence of Sound

With the album’s 10 tracks, the foursome find their emotional treasure, only at the cost of their more alluring production components.

70
Under the Radar

While Limits of Desire isn't ground-breaking, it's a charming record suggestive of a band with a bright future.

70
The Line of Best Fit

These diaphanous songs illuminate how we often create these ideals in our own minds, then set off on an impossible quest to find these illusory paragons who don’t actually exist, leaving us frustrated, disappointed and ultimately alone, left to face the ills of society on our own.

62
Pitchfork

Limits of Desire lacks crisp definition and spark, instead relying on the same old smeary tactics of reverb, gloss, and languor; thanks to the frictionless production, you can feel the high thread count of the sheets, but never another person.

60
Drowned in Sound

The real problem with Limits of Desire is that it’s a decent album that’s difficult to sell.

60
musicOMH

It’s when they do what their contemporaries never quite dare to do that they establish an exciting new voice. 

50
PopMatters

While the group’s carefree attitude toward genre saves Limits of Desire from becoming yet another “Millennials-do-the-‘80s” clone LP, these songs on the whole don’t pack much of a punch. 

50
AllMusic

The textures are excellent, the songs are OK, but as a whole, it just doesn't pack the emotional punch of earlier outings.

psychedelicj
100

This band caught me so off-guard when I discovered them through their 2021 release, Cheap Dreams — I soon after fell in love with both this record, that record, and their follow-up, Best Blues.

These guys are absolute masters of their craft: they weave in an incredible amount of detail into their lush and melodic songs that induce a psychedelic contemplation, as well as an undeniable urge to move. Frontman Josh Kotelnik’s vocals are like a beautiful wind instrument or synth, ... read more

cshults
70

I like the polish of this a bit more than the previous album.

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Track List

  1. Free At Dawn
  2. Canoe
  3. No Stranger
  4. Sophie
  5. Breathless
  6. Proper Spirit
  7. Only A Shadow
  8. Limits Of Desire
  9. Shook Loves
  10. Outskirts

Year End Lists

#32/Under the Radar
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Added on: May 1, 2013