How to Dress Well - Total Loss
Critic Score
Based on 27 reviews
2012 Ratings: #137 / 1118
Year End Rank: #50
User Score
Based on 144 ratings
2012 Rank: #188
Liked by 3 people
September 18, 2012 / Release Date
LP / Format
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CRITIC REVIEWS

85
Beats Per Minute

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.

85
The 405

I'm not ashamed to say that listening to this album gave me goose bumps

84
Pitchfork

Total Loss uses the common tools of pop expression-- four-minute songs, autobiography, choruses, confession-- to create a work of poignant and devastating art.

80
Drowned in Sound

Total Loss isn’t weaker in any single sense, but I’m not sure it if it builds on its predecessor either.

80
FACT Magazine

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.

80
Consequence of Sound

On Total Loss, Krell is far more confrontational and less sedated in the face of his woes, upping the sentimental weight in the process

80
Paste

Even though Total Loss was inspired by death, the album’s emotional spectrum is wide-ranging, with solemn meditations balanced out by blissful pop. 

80
NME

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.

75
Pretty Much Amazing

Total Loss can be more aesthetically interesting than genuinely moving and it’s almost always too cluttered with floating abstractions.

70
Under the Radar

When Krell is on, he’s on. When he’s not, at least the mood remains intact

70
musicOMH

It’s rare for an ostensibly ‘indie’ release to be so emotionally straight-faced and soulful. 

TheRestOfEden
80

Rich and extremely original production for one great alternative RnB record.

ShoegazeJake
100

Music is a beautiful broken heart.

lukassantiago3
85

"Total Loss" put Kreell in his own devastation space.

ShoegazeJake
100

Music is a beautiful broken heart.

TheRestOfEden
80

Rich and extremely original production for one great alternative RnB record.

lukassantiago3
85

"Total Loss" put Kreell in his own devastation space.

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Added on: June 28, 2012