The Book of Traps and Lessons

Kae Tempest - The Book of Traps and Lessons
Critic Score
Based on 20 reviews
2019 Ratings: #112 / 805
User Score
Based on 163 ratings
2019 Rank: #551
Liked by 9 people
June 14, 2019 / Release Date
LP / Format
Republic / Label
Spoken Word / Genre
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Skinny
It's a journey both admirable and extraordinary; a monumental achievement that stands utterly alone.
90
PopMatters
Tempest demands her listeners to remain vigilant of modernity's connection to past villainies.
90
AllMusic
Emotionally, there's a lot to unpack, but the need to feel and engage more deeply is one of her primary decrees, and this powerful album is a lesson worth learning.
90
The Line of Best Fit

The album makes us confront the stark reality of how abhorrent we are as a human race. At times, it’s almost uncomfortable to listen to.

80
Clash
There is a powerful understatement to this album that yields more secrets with every listen.
80
The Observer

Her third finds Tempest hooking up with Rick Rubin, and the effect is revelatory.

80
The Guardian
This record is a living poem that captures the angry tension of being alive in 2019: trying not to look directly at the oncoming crises, trying to love and give and dance in the midst of firesmoke.
80
Loud and Quiet

The Book of Traps and Lessons feels needed, not to make sense of the chaos, but to gain some comfort in knowing your fears are everyone else’s.

80
DIY
While this is perhaps Tempest’s darkest work to date, there is light and hope to be found too, like on the tender ‘Firework’, an emotive ode to her partner. On ‘The Book of Traps and Lessons’ Kate Tempest continues to impress as one of the UK’s most vital voices.
80
Under the Radar
It is a genuine surprise that this is Tempest's first record not to be Mercury Prize-nominated, given it could well go down as her best, but regardless, this is a highly satisfactory work.
80
NME
Beauty squares up to ugliness on the south Londoner's latest, and a tenderness that previously lingered on the edges of Tempest's work steps to the fore.
70
musicOMH

Overall The Book Of Traps And Lessons is best with a healthy dose of thoughtfulness and nuance, and while it falters on the occasions when these are disregarded, this album is another example of why Tempest’s spoken-word works now routinely amplify well beyond her poetic beginnings.

70
No Ripcord
Whether you think she’s preaching to the choir or an important voice, it’s difficult not to agree with how she describes herself: “Neat with no chaser - all spirit."
60
The Independent

While there are great moments, Tempest’s trembling delivery of certain words, with the intention of giving them an air of profundity, can quickly become tiresome.

Doofy
7

Not interesting musically speaking.

Also contains no interesting speaking.

It's like spending 45 excruciating minutes in the company of a female version of Danny from Withnail and I. Compare for example:

"I don't advise a haircut, man. All hairdressers are in the employment of the government. Hair are your aerials."

and

"Happiness, the brand, is not happiness, we are smarter than they think we are. They take us all for idiots, but that's their problem."

There is little ... read more

10

Dumb question why are going next year like her this album not bad

TommyCook
58

I vibe with a lot of what she is saying, don't get me wrong. But it's just repetetive and long winded. There's some good thinking material on here, but I was pretty much just mulling over the same things about 6 songs in.

RapReviewsRepos
75

Even if you struggle with the minimal production, “The Book of Traps and Lessons” is still an important album and one worth repeated listens.

http://www.rapreviews.com/2019/11/kate-tempest-the-book-of-traps-and-lessons/

evelezt
90

I never thought spoken word could be this good.

80

It really is an interesting project, telling a beautiful story. My favorite track is People's Faces.

Purchasing The Book of Traps and Lessons from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?


Added on: May 2, 2019