Underworld have made some of their most vital work without compromising any of the aspects of their sound that a modern audience might scan as dated.
While the group no longer sounds like the future of house music, it does a damn good job sounding like the present.
There are several elements from their entire career fused with new ones, as well as a newfound accessibility that also signals a creativity boost. It's great to see Underworld this vital once again.
While Underworld’s Karl Hyde and Rick Smith have retained what was special about their greatest triumphs ... Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future is never weighed down by its makers’ history.
Every single track off of Barbara, Barbara we face a shining future finds a good amount of reasons to believe the UK duo are just as relevant as the young beat makers they’ve influenced.
Like the ’80s-skin-shedding Dubnobass, it’s an inspired record born from the desperation of years-long stagnancy.
Near perfect and a step forward as well, Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future belongs on Underworld's top shelf. If it's considered to be "late-era," it must also be considered "miraculous."
Where Barking was all about the kinetic energy of the feet and arms, Barbara… joins the soul and the head, its rhythms enhancing rather than driving the experience.
The release of Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future only reinforces their continued relevance.
At seven tracks and under 45 minutes, ‘Barbara’ is their shortest LP to date, but its brevity belies a wealth of aural treasures.
Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future feels like a gesture of resignation.
Barbara… is less massive comeback than slight return.
Its purpose is to cement Underworld as elder statesmen of minor-arena-filling, rather than “floor-filling,” amorphously electronic music. It’s not hip, but it’s not square either.
A decent electronic album but a bit generic and stale especially for a group as iconic as Underworld
A bit more experimental than their usual techno stuff. Would recommend this if you liked their previous albums. There's some gorgeous songs here too!
Their best since A Hundred Days Off. Really beautiful tracks on this one, from the breathtaking I Exhale, the fun If Rah, to the beautiful sounds of Ova Nova and Nylon Strung, this is all I want out of a modern Underworld album. It sounds current, but it contains all of that Underworld charm, spoken lyrics, simple melodies, exhilarating synths and guitars. I really can't ask for much more, I love this and I hope they continue to release great music.
A bit more experimental than their usual techno stuff. Would recommend this if you liked their previous albums. There's some gorgeous songs here too!
Their best since A Hundred Days Off. Really beautiful tracks on this one, from the breathtaking I Exhale, the fun If Rah, to the beautiful sounds of Ova Nova and Nylon Strung, this is all I want out of a modern Underworld album. It sounds current, but it contains all of that Underworld charm, spoken lyrics, simple melodies, exhilarating synths and guitars. I really can't ask for much more, I love this and I hope they continue to release great music.
1 | I Exhale 8:11 | 65 |
2 | If Rah 7:13 | 76 |
3 | Low Burn 6:45 | 80 |
4 | Santiago Cuatro 4:01 | 70 |
5 | Motorhome 6:24 | 77 |
6 | Ova Nova 5:32 | 69 |
7 | Nylon Strung 6:48 | 81 |
#9 | / | Albumism |
#10 | / | PopMatters |
#12 | / | Under the Radar |
#27 | / | Q Magazine |
#37 | / | Pretty Much Amazing |
#45 | / | The Quietus |
#51 | / | Uncut |
#68 | / | Rough Trade |
#77 | / | Fopp |