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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
As with their previous four efforts, The Universal Want unfolds as a sonically immersive and lyrically engaging affair, its title emblematic of the album’s central thematic thread that explores our innate, lifelong yearning for a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
90
With their fifth album they're taking strength from sadness, hope from despair, and wisdom from experience. In troubled times, The Universal Want is exactly what we need.
90
Doves return with a soaring anthemic album after an eleven year hiatus and it’s well worth the wait.
90
While we wouldn’t have wanted to have waited so long for a new Doves album, ‘The Universal Want’ is most definitely worth it.
80
New album The Universal Want manages to feel relevant, but not preachy.
80
For the most part The Universal Want lives up to that triumphant return presaged in Carousels.
80
Mournfulness can provide comfort at a time like this, especially when presented with the kind of sincerity, wisdom, and songwriting skill that Doves haven't lost in their time away.
80
This is heavy, yes, but it's never leaden... With The Universal Want - sad, wary, yet still alert to life's thwarted beauty - Doves are in the right place, the right time.
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3y
80
It may have taken over a decade for Doves to pour their souls into ‘The Universal Want’ but if it turns out to be their final transmission, it will be a worthy closing chapter to their epic legacy.
80
Ultimately, “The Universal Want” is the sound of ideas synthesising, of conversations clicking.
80
Doves transcend time on The Universal Want, a graceful rebirth that not only justifies their reformation, but also serves as a reminder of the ability they had all along.
80
The Mancunian trio return, older but no happier, with a fifth album that luxuriates in its own mesmeric emotions.
80
It sounds like the album Doves would’ve made if they hadn’t taken a break after 2009’s lovely, underrated Kingdom of Rust. It yearns and sparkles in all the right places.
80
Regular producer Dan Austin teases atmosphere, buries mysterious sampled speech and navigates the piano-led title track bank into Hacienda territory. What kept them?
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3y
80
The kings of catchy melancholia are back after a decade away – and their tried and tested blueprint has lost none of its magic.
80
With fluidity and ease aplenty, the ten songs on ‘The Universal Want’ render a soulful, elevated journey visiting outer and inner locations, providing the listener with a sense of fulfilment.
80
Familiarity isn’t a bad thing when it’s done well, if we refer back to the four cycles of reformation, Doves land firmly in the bands who have their fire relit by a break category, The Universal Want is Doves in essential form.
80
The Universal Want is a most welcome return from an important band given a well-deserved respite.
78
A collection of songs that feel like a natural next step left untapped following Kingdom of Rust in 2009.
70
The Universal Want's strengths lie in a series of inspired moments rather than it coming together as a satisfying whole.
67
The Britrock survivors’ first album in 11 years is the sound of men in their 50s channeling the memories of their teens through the music of their 30s.
50
Doves amble as they surge, swirling in a middle distance between Radiohead and Coldplay.
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3y
Well finally...another 90! I truly believe this was an amazing fun Indie rock album. It's instrumentals feel so alive and full of wonder. I don't have much to say about this album besides saying its really fucking good! Hope people will check this out!
Edit: This is too fucking good.
Favorites: ALL OF THEM
FAVORITE TRACK: Broken Eyes
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: Mother Silverlake
Yep... another album by a bird. When will they stop??
Universal Want is what I imagine the outcome would be if the lead singer of Imagine Dragons wrote The National's music.
I keep coming back to this review and writing nothing because... well. there's nothing TO write about. The Universal Want is a weird situation because this album has amazing vocals and... that's it. Subpar song writing and instrumentals but amazing ... read more
It's nice to watch the doves fly again after a decade but, on the other hand, you can not help but notice the difficulty that characterizes their flight.
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Track List
| 1 | Carousels 4:49 | 100 |
| 2 | I Will Not Hide 4:15 | 90 |
| 3 | Broken Eyes 4:15 | 62 |
| 4 | For Tomorrow 5:28 | 90 |
| 5 | Cathedrals of the Mind 5:20 | 90 |
| 6 | Prisoners 4:26 | 91 |
| 7 | Cycle of Hurt 4:15 | 90 |
| 8 | Mother Silverlake 5:13 | 65 |
| 9 | Universal Want 5:21 | 90 |
| 10 | Forest House 3:41 | 90 |
Total Length: 47 minutes
Year End Lists
| #7 | / | Riff |
| #9 | / | BBC Radio 6 Music |
| #10 | / | Albumism |
| #12 | / | Under the Radar |
| #18 | / | Good Morning America |
| #22 | / | NBHAP |
| #28 | / | Gaffa (Sweden) |
| #29 | / | Piccadilly Records |
| #32 | / | Far Out Magazine |
| #39 | / | PopMatters |
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Added on: July 9, 2020