Wild World

Bastille - Wild World
Critic Score
Based on 14 reviews
2016 Ratings: #505 / 1004
User Score
Based on 292 ratings
2016 Rank: #589
Liked by 36 people
September 9, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Virgin / Label
Pop Rock, Synthpop / Genre
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CRITIC REVIEWS

80
AllMusic

Wild World proves that Bastille can build on their success with style. They're the kind of band that sounds better as they get bigger, and their thoughtful lyrics, jaunty melodies, and huge choruses could fill a Coldplay-shaped hole in listeners' hearts.

80
NME

‘Wild World’ is a triumphant pop record: unflinching in its ability to rouse listeners and unapologetic in its quest for a Number One.

80
DIY

It’s getting harder to deny that Bastille are anything but stadium-bothering pop superstars. But with this second album, they’re still offering an exciting, engaging alternative to pure chart pop, and they do it so bloody well.

80
The Guardian
Bastille have the edge in terms of unfeigned emotionalism.
80
Dork
Opener and lead single ‘Good Grief’ is a mightily effective first play, but nothing on ‘Wild World’ has the near football-chant effectiveness of breakout hit ‘Pompeii’. Instead, there’s a greater variation of texture. That’s not to say it’s a difficult album – far from it – it’s simply drawing from a deeper well of influences with greater maturity.
80
The Young Folks
The 19-track record covers topics on love, politics, inner demons and more. Sure, it’s great and easy to get caught up with screaming out the lyrics and bobbing your head along with the melodies without giving a second thought… BUT when you’re given an album that punches society in the face, you can’t just turn the other cheek right away.
70
musicOMH

Bastille’s second LP is a more than worthy follow-up, one that throws up a few interesting surprises along the way.

70
Clash
Although a bit of diversity could have been added, ‘Wild World’ has given Bastille a different scope.
60
Rolling Stone

Their second proper LP marries 20th-century rock songcraft and EDM-pop vernacular with an eye on stadium rocking and dance-floor remixes.

60
The Observer

Wild World is too wholesome to generate real thrills.

50
PopMatters

Wild World is a sign that Bastille still feels as alive as it did on Bad Blood; there’s no decrease in energy to be heard here.

FritoRio
75

Imma counter cheapandlethal’s review and say this album is inspiring

Supertartory
83

I feel this deserves at least a 70 on here, I feel this is a very strong release. I used to be a bastille mega fan a year or two ago. Going back to this and Bad Blood every once in a while is always nice, as they're both very strong albums, in my opinion, I prefer this over Bad Blood personally. Most of the tracks on here are very good. They're definitely danceable tunes, the lyrics are insightful at points, and can be touching at occasions. There are attempts at political statements in this, ... read more

Plats
76

I definitely prefer this to "Bad Blood". The songwriting is a lot stronger, the hooks are great and "Wild World" manages to be more cohesive overall. It's not perfect, the production can be a little overdone, but it's still a strong sophomore record that I had a lot of fun with.

Fav Tracks: Good Grief, Send Them Off!, Glory, Power, Blame, Four Walls (The Ballad Of Perry Smith), Two Evils

Least Fav Track: Winter Of Our Youth

Score:
7.6
Very Good

Chaos_
100

Probably the best pop album I've ever heard. You might even be able to remove pop.

89

This was a very hard album to rate. It is just as good as their first LP. I will always listen to this album.

Favorite Tracks: The Currents, Snakes
Sleeper Track: Snakes

VinylFantasy
68

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

Front-loaded and crammed with filler, but the highlights are absolutely worth checking out. The catchy yet melancholic ‘Good Grief’ and the bombastic ‘The Currents’ are great, but ‘Warmth’ is where Bastille truly shine. You can leave out most of the back half.

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Track List

1Good Grief
3:26
92
2The Currents
3:24
86
3An Act of Kindness
3:28
82
4Warmth
3:49
90
5Glory
4:41
88
6Power
3:29
83
7Two Evils
2:46
76
8Send Them Off!
3:20
92
9Lethargy
3:24
90
10Four Walls (The Ballad of Perry Smith)
4:12
82
11Blame
2:55
87
12Fake It
4:04
89
13Snakes
3:17
86
14Winters of Our Youth
3:23
83
Total Length: 49 minutes

Year End Lists

#31/NME
#40/Q Magazine
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Added on: June 30, 2016