Cate Le Bon - Reward
Critic Score
Based on 19 reviews
2019 Ratings: #40 / 805
Year End Rank: #41
User Score
Based on 424 ratings
2019 Rank: #390
Liked by 24 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
musicOMH

This album, though not what anybody on the face of the Earth would call ‘fun’, is an absolute classic of modernist architecture. It’s certainly the best thing she’s ever done.

90
AllMusic

Easily Le Bon's most involved, risky, and satisfying material up until this point.

90
The Line of Best Fit

Reward’s songs bask in a timelessness, touching on nostalgia throughout its playful, freeing, and earnest style.

90
Uncut

Cate Le bon's terrific run of form continues with what must be her best album ... She enchants at every turn.

90
Loud and Quiet

Reward is just that: the precious, well-earned outcome of patience and introspection, and the bravery to be wholly yourself.

85
Under the Radar

Her lyricism is taught, serene, and never heavy handed, all while envisioning just enough of a world that the listener is free to complete the interpretive gesture.

85
Spectrum Culture

An album that reveals more and more of itself upon further listens, that shows complexity over time instead of forcing it directly into listeners’ laps.

84
Pitchfork

On her fifth album, the Welsh musician is at her best. The more elaborate and eccentric her music becomes, the more she sounds like herself.

80
Evening Standard

Reward’s instrumentation is often stripped-back and delicate; yet alongside her bold, surrealist imagery, ideas can feel vast in scope. This is one of Le Bon’s strongest works to date.

80
Q Magazine

It's undoubtedly a sad voice she presents on Reward, but one that is unlike anyone else's.

80
Mojo

Creatively, Reward is on point.

80
The Guardian

Lovely, airy, occasionally rocking songs are underpinned by elliptical lyrics and seeping loneliness on Le Bon’s remarkable album.

80
Clash

Alternating somewhere in a grey zone land of ambiguity, between dream and reality, there is an adaptability and it manifests itself in sparks of humour or deep sincerity, and between cynicism and vulnerability. The effects are profound.

80
Rolling Stone

It’s hard to go back and listen to earlier albums after Reward—the enhanced instrumentation and dreamy songwriting make this the singer’s strongest album yet.

80
Exclaim!

Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Timothy, also known as Cate Le Bon, packs a lot of punch on her fifth studio album, Reward. Her style is veiled in mysterious, hypnotic lyrics and striking instrumentals that make the listening experience feel otherworldly.

80
DIY

‘Reward’ could feel like a slog, too bleak and weird to be truly enjoyable - but it doesn’t. It’s entirely captivating, with just enough moments of optimism to keep you hanging on.

80
The 405

Le Bon’s fifth studio album Reward is a charming and moving work.

80
PopMatters

Cate Le Bon's fifth album Reward offers treasures beyond the everyday realm.

62
Paste

Rather than fixing a steady gaze on our isolating and destabilizing present, Reward often taunts, pokes, glances, and winks—gestures that pester and provoke without leaving much of an impression.

laz456
55

After several listens I just cannot see myself ever returning to this. It's a kinda cool neo-psych indie pop sound but these songs are so flat and lifeless. It just makes me wanna listen to In a Poem Unlimited.

Plats
77

It drags a little bit much for my liking, but "Reward" is still a pretty, quirky and well-written psych-folk record. I don't think it's going to beat other female singer-songwriter releases but I think it's worth a shot.

Fav Tracks: Daylight Matters, Sad Nudes, Magnificent Gestures, Meet The Man, Home To You

Least Fav Track: Miami

Score:
7.7
Very Good

Right as I read "Meet The Man" I was like "Hello, I am the meat man!" in Dr. Evil's voice. I was giggling ... read more

dearsongs
NR

okay okay it's kind of Aldous Harding ish in a sense, and will be compared to (and similarly dismissed like) a lot of the other recent female singer/songwriter releases, but its for sure 'weird' all in its own unique way. Some really pretty songs on here, some goofy moments (Mother's Mother's Magazines especially, which is really elevated by the second half of the tune), and the album has a nice bounce to it through out. The sax additions are really nice. Cate Le Bon's best yet, I'd say.

The ... read more

i3su
60

Really struggled to get into this - it's like it's trying too hard to be different and instead just falls flat on its face

84

Ok I got recommended a song from this album from someone but just decided to listen to the whole thing bc why not! Ok edit I’ve been listening to this album on repeat all day it’s amazing. I needed fresh music in my life

Miami: i love this. Her voice is very alluring. A slow and soft soft that is also interesting and powerful. 8.5/10

Daylight matters: sweet, romantic, funky 8.5/10

Home to you: ok I rlly like the end of this. 8.5/10

Mothers mothers magazines: ok her style is rlly ... read more

depechemode4lif
84

A great art pop record with a great personality and shine to it. It has post punk undertones but it doesnt overwhelm the uniqueness of the project.

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Added on: March 20, 2019