To Believe is heartbreakingly brilliant: a collection of exquisitely assembled songs that appear delicate from a distance before revealing a close-quarters core strength.
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.
A quietly triumphant comeback from the British masters.
It’s an album that takes the sombre mood of today and translates it into downtempo music that’s both refreshing and thoughtful.
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.
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.
Swinscoe and Smith have produced a powerful and polished record, cementing their esteemed position in alternative British music.
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.
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.
While To Believe certainly has some powerful moments, there are also numerous moments that are superfluous and forgettable.
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
I don't say this often, especially with this level of craftsmanship, but this album is too depressing for me.
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.
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
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] (+)
1 | To Believe 5:27 feat. Moses Sumney | |
2 | A Caged Bird / Imitations of Life 6:54 feat. Roots Manuva | |
3 | Lessons 9:06 | |
4 | Wait for Now / Leave the World 7:11 feat. Tawiah | |
5 | The Workers of Art 6:16 | |
6 | Zero One / The Fantasy 7:03 feat. Grey Reverend | |
7 | A Promise 11:35 feat. Heidi Vogel |
#13 | / | Piccadilly Records |
#84 | / | Drift |