It’s an album that ceaselessly overflows with love and a desire to reach out and relate, and it’s this that makes such a heavy album so accessible and so resoundingly good.
I'm not ashamed to say that listening to this album gave me goose bumps
Total Loss uses the common tools of pop expression-- four-minute songs, autobiography, choruses, confession-- to create a work of poignant and devastating art.
Total Loss isn’t weaker in any single sense, but I’m not sure it if it builds on its predecessor either.
What we’re treated to here is more coherent songs, while the onus has shifted from studio editing and loops to organic arrangements, another clarity-lending move.
On Total Loss, Krell is far more confrontational and less sedated in the face of his woes, upping the sentimental weight in the process
Even though Total Loss was inspired by death, the album’s emotional spectrum is wide-ranging, with solemn meditations balanced out by blissful pop.
Hugely accomplished, traversing skittish Janet Jackson-style ballads, string-laden hymns and neo-soul with ease, while Krell lets his now exposed voice do most of the talking to humbling effect.
Total Loss can be more aesthetically interesting than genuinely moving and it’s almost always too cluttered with floating abstractions.
When Krell is on, he’s on. When he’s not, at least the mood remains intact
It’s rare for an ostensibly ‘indie’ release to be so emotionally straight-faced and soulful.
1 | When I Was In Trouble 3:22 | |
2 | Cold Nites 3:38 | |
3 | Say My Name Or Say Whatever 4:29 | |
4 | Running Back 3:16 | |
5 | & It Was U 3:06 | |
6 | World I Need You, Won't Be Without You (Proem) 2:51 | |
7 | Struggle 4:28 | |
8 | How Many? 5:02 | |
9 | Talking To You 4:17 | |
10 | Set It Right 4:47 | |
11 | Ocean Floor For Everything 3:12 |
#6 | / | FACT Magazine |
#8 | / | Beats Per Minute |
#15 | / | The Line of Best Fit |
#21 | / | The 405 |
#22 | / | Under the Radar |
#28 | / | Pitchfork |
#29 | / | Consequence of Sound |
#29 | / | Urban Outfitters |
#33 | / | Stereogum |
#36 | / | Exclaim! |