The Cinematic Orchestra - To Believe
Critic Score
Based on 23 reviews
2019 Ratings: #385 / 805
User Score
Based on 112 ratings
2019 Rank: #449
Liked by 2 people
March 15, 2019 / Release Date
LP / Format
Domino / Label
Nu Jazz, Art Pop / Genre
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Observer

To Believe is heartbreakingly brilliant: a collection of exquisitely assembled songs that appear delicate from a distance before revealing a close-quarters core strength.

90
Exclaim!

Acts like the Cinematic Orchestra are sometimes dismissed as background music. To Believe refutes that completely. Its gentle warmth makes the work accessible. But once you've pressed play, there is no ignoring it.

90
Clash

A quietly triumphant comeback from the British masters.

80
The Independent

It’s an album that takes the sombre mood of today and translates it into downtempo music that’s both refreshing and thoughtful.

80
The Skinny

The entire album is a triumphant showcase on how to master percussion, and the finished result is a dreamy 53 minutes that seems to end as quickly as it began. Stunning.

70
AllMusic

To Believe is very much an experience that requires engagement if a worthwhile connection is desired; otherwise, it makes for a terrific soundtrack to a film that resides purely in the soul.

70
Loud and Quiet

Swinscoe and Smith have produced a powerful and polished record, cementing their esteemed position in alternative British music.

70
Under the Radar
This is a crucial album. It's great to have The Cinematic Orchestra back again. Let's hope it's not 12 years before we hear from them once more.
70
musicOMH

To Believe is a worthy return for The Cinematic Orchestra, developing their sound while keeping the trademark fusion between electronic and orchestral that Swinscoe and co. do so well.

60
The Guardian

This is an album that feels accomplished but unremarkable, neither possessing the kind of experimentalism that might push things forward nor idiosyncratic enough to stand out in a newly crowded marketplace.

60
The 405

While To Believe certainly has some powerful moments, there are also numerous moments that are superfluous and forgettable.

mikehermida
75

The Cinematic Orchestra just doing what The Cinematic Orchestra have been doing for the past decade: making gorgeous swirling musical patterns. This LP is jazzier than some of their earlier work that I am familiar with but maintains the beauty of that earlier work.

Essential track - To Believe

GammaInk
66

I don't say this often, especially with this level of craftsmanship, but this album is too depressing for me.

usedtobe
80

Beautiful record.

BZZ_BZZ_BZZ_
50

The Cinematic Orchestra is in list of my fav artists but this one is too much boring for me and with low memorability. meh. sorry.

mikehermida
75

The Cinematic Orchestra just doing what The Cinematic Orchestra have been doing for the past decade: making gorgeous swirling musical patterns. This LP is jazzier than some of their earlier work that I am familiar with but maintains the beauty of that earlier work.

Essential track - To Believe

DalekTurret32
98

To Believe [96]
A Caged Bird/Imitations of Life [95]
Lessons [105]
Wait for Now/Leave the World [92]
The Workers of Art [88] (-)
Zero One/This Fantasy [102]
A Promise [110] (+)

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Added on: January 27, 2019