Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future

Underworld - Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future
Critic Score
Based on 30 reviews
2016 Ratings: #152 / 1004
User Score
Based on 154 ratings
2016 Rank: #347
Liked by 8 people
March 18, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Universal / Label
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

91
Pretty Much Amazing

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.

90
PopMatters
It’s both pretty much anything you could ask for as a long-term fan and the kind of late-period album that is actually worth spreading beyond the faithful.
85
The Line of Best Fit
Sometimes you have to look back to move forward, and by doing that, Underworld have made their best album in almost twenty years.
83
A.V. Club

While the group no longer sounds like the future of house music, it does a damn good job sounding like the present.

81
Pitchfork
Regardless of their reputation for turning late-night urban-hedonism anthems into festival-filling crowdpleasers, Underworld remain romantics at heart.
80
Sputnikmusic

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.

80
The Guardian

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.

80
No Ripcord

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.

80
SPIN

Like the ’80s-skin-shedding Dubnobass, it’s an inspired record born from the desperation of years-long stagnancy.

80
AllMusic

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."

80
musicOMH

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.

75
Under the Radar

The release of Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future only reinforces their continued relevance.

75
Consequence of Sound
On their seventh full-length, the two bring a refreshing return to their old creative selves while still keeping both feet firmly planted in the now.
70
Drowned in Sound
Gone are the tub-thumpers of yore in favour of understated, yet nevertheless, euphoric electronica bursting with hope.
70
Clash

At seven tracks and under 45 minutes, ‘Barbara’ is their shortest LP to date, but its brevity belies a wealth of aural treasures.

60
Slant Magazine

Barbara Barbara, We Face a Shining Future feels like a gesture of resignation.

60
The Skinny

Barbara… is less massive comeback than slight return.

60
Tiny Mix Tapes

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.

MinatoArisato
55

A decent electronic album but a bit generic and stale especially for a group as iconic as Underworld

Krewie
78

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!

Emi8123
87

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.

Krewie
78

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!

Raiksheen
70

Pretty good

Emi8123
87

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.

Purchasing Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?
Become a Donor
Donor badge, no ads + more benefits.
Advertisement

Track List

1I Exhale
8:11
65
2If Rah
7:13
76
3Low Burn
6:45
80
4Santiago Cuatro
4:01
70
5Motorhome
6:24
77
6Ova Nova
5:32
69
7Nylon Strung
6:48
81
Total Length: 44 minutes
Comments
Sign in to comment
No one has said anything yet.


Added on: November 24, 2015