Juana Molina - Halo
Critic Score
Based on 14 reviews
2017 Ratings: #70 / 940
User Score
Based on 179 ratings
2017 Rank: #153
Liked by 13 people
April 7, 2017 / Release Date
LP / Format
Crammed Discs / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
Drowned in Sound

We shouldn’t expect less mastery from a physicist two decades into her field – yet, even for Molina, who has trekked odysseys through drone and voice before, Halo marks an epiphany in the science of travel.

91
GIGsoup
Completely free of genre restraints, ‘Halo’ is an album that exists purely on its own terms. It’s independently spirited but it’s certainly not indie. It’s buzzing with synthesizers though it’s anything but electronica and it has a gentle, acoustic sway at times despite being nothing like folk.
80
Pitchfork

Halo is Molina’s seventh and strongest LP. She wields a sonic palette refined by two decades of experimentation to create a narrative defined not by words, but by mood.

80
PopMatters

She is in full control of Halo, and it’s clear from start to finish.

80
AllMusic

Halo, Molina's first release since 2013's Wed 21, feels like a logical snapshot of her ongoing journey, presenting 12 new tracks that are as eccentric as they are inviting.

80
No Ripcord

Halo is just as effective when taken purely as an aural experience; just like the symbolic spirit she invokes, her challenging and throbbing entanglements are impossible to turn away from.

80
The Guardian
The daughter of a tango musician, Molina may sing in a trance-like whisper, but she understands the importance of rhythm; many of the songs are underpinned by a sturdy bass line, over which she adds guitar, bass or keyboards, playing all the instruments herself on several tracks.
80
Uncut

Juana Molina doesn’t make records very often, but the speed of her evolution means that Halo – haunting, bassy and electronic – is light years away from, say, the fragile, trebly and acoustic Son.

80
The Independent
Despite not understanding a word of what she’s singing about, it’s entirely entrancing, in a manner simultaneously strange and familiar.
RemisReviews
80

Album swap with the goat @Miguel

One thing that I look for in music is vibes and emotion. And this thing definitely delivers on the vibes part. The smooth production, chill vocals, and almost hypnotic instrumentation, with great percussion make for some top-tier vibes.

The way the soundscapes are constructed here is truly impressive to say the least. The whole thing is just so pleasant on the ears, I really like it.

Definitely didn't expect to enjoy it this much and while there are some ... read more

Fjuan
82

Album swap with @Kaunt :))))

Entering I had no idea what I could find, the only thing I knew is that the artist is from Argentina and I am in the artwork, but I found myself with an incredibly unique project, full of gorgeous melodies, mysterious, cryptic writing and in general an album that manages to fanize throughout its duration.
This is based on its minimalist aesthetic with an emphasis on the bass, in the small details and textures, In the delicate and precious voice of Juana and, what ... read more

DiegoPaim01
75

Bem silencioso, atmosférico, mas enérgico ao mesmo tempo, este disco foi uma surpresa pra mim pela excentricidade destas composições. Excentricidade essa que não chega a ser um experimentalismo muito avançado, são melodias razoavelmente simples arranjadas com levadas eletrônicas, detalhes sintetizados aqui e ali e guitarras/cordas/baixos aparecendo muito bem dando destaque para algumas músicas. Tudo é bem silencioso, a ... read more

Thesantx
75

Algo inconsistente y para el final se me hizo un poquito largo, pero aprecio la experimentación y que sea un disco más arriesgado que 'Wed'.
Sin dones y Cosoco son probablemente dos de mis canciones favoritas en la carrera de Juana.

evelezt
95

Una de mis mayores aspiraciones en la vida es terminar entender este álbumo y no sólo apreciarlo por sus sonidos tan particulares y algunas letras que me dan pistas de ello. Escucharlo siempre es una experiencia hipnotizante e intrigante, el genio de Juana parece no terminar.

Acuifero
88

Un disco que imbuye a su oyente con un embrujo cinemático, eléctrico y oscuro.

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Track List

1Paraguaya
3:43
97
2Sin dones
5:41
97
3Lentísimo halo
5:23
95
4In the lassa
4:39
87
5Cosoco
4:57
97
6Cálculos y oráculos
4:46
94
7Los pies helados
5:22
94
8A00 B01
4:29
96
9Cara de espejo
5:09
90
10Andó
3:50
94
11Estalacticas
4:52
98
12Al oeste
3:37
92
Total Length: 56 minutes
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Added on: February 25, 2017