Details
LP / Format
Jagjaguwar / Label
Ruban Nielson / Producer
unknownmortalorchestra.com / Website
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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
The clarity and effervescence of much of V can seem revelatory.
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1mo
90
With Nielson’s punk origins, the presence within V of a reciprocal sound with funky influences is an exciting one.
80
UMO is just as skilled at writing strictly instrumental music as they are writing both lyrics and music.
80
The latest stage of Ruban Nielson’s psychedelic experiment explores love, loss and his Hawaiian heritage.
80
As a double album, ‘V’ is a hefty commitment and is therefore unlikely to win many new fans for Unknown Mortal Orchestra, but it’s a coherent and mature piece of work which will be worth the wait for this well-established act.
80
The double-album is half composed of groovy, funk instrumentals and half of sun-kissed melodies.
80
Deftly avoiding any risk of end-stretch sag, Nielson adds a dip into Hawaiian history on I Killed Captain Cook: a captivating story-song and a plangent standout on a warm, mellow and matured comeback.
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5d
75
Contrary to the cover art, V is an album without any bite. But even through the languor, Nielson flexes his muscles as a songwriter.
71
Though the sentiment would also complement their great love of bald jokes at the time, it says that even the ancients shared some of Nielson’s predicament: the incumbency of having to enjoy all this useless beauty when you’d rather be someplace else.
70
Playing with instrumental pieces and lyrics musing on mortality and humanity, the 14 tracks present a mature and balanced sound. Ruban Nielson’s signature filtered voice glides on a sea of guitar and synths without a crease, always in full control.
70
While ‘V’ has the tendency to revisit some familiar ground, it builds a whole world to roam.
70
It's just as easy of an album to drift off in thought to as it is to obsess over its patchwork of details and strange coloration, reaching a deeper, more thoughtful expression of the kind of bizarre beauty the band excels at.
70
Unknown Mortal Orchestra return from a five-year hiatus to deliver a double album, V, containing both the best and blandest songs they’ve ever made.
70
Even if V isn’t as shadowy or nuanced as its reference points, it’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s nicest to just sit in the sun for a bit.
67
On his fifth album, Ruban Nielson accompanies some of his strongest songwriting and performances to date with foggy production that makes the whole thing feel like a long, rummy sigh.
60
There are featureless patches, bits of white-box real-estate that need a little more character, but there's always something intriguing around V's corners.
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1mo
While Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s fifth record is worth admiring for picking a sound and sticking with it, that sound isn’t all that compelling.
I’ve been following UMO’s ‘V’ album cycle since before it was an album cycle—when the group dropped “That Life” as a single in 2021. At the time, I couldn’t have been more excited for a new album. The single was groovy, catchy and surprisingly upbeat for harboring such a serious critique of ... read more
Their best since Multi-Love, which is certainly a step in the right direction, but this is an interesting album for a few reasons...
For one, the production sounds really crunchy. It's like the prod from Multi-Love in a vacuum sealed bag. It doesn't sound awful, but it keeps these songs from hitting in the way they would otherwise. Then you have these instrumental moments scattered throughout the album which are quite nice, but they don't stand out in any meaningful way, which only makes this ... read more
The singles are nice and well paced / paired with more atmospheric tracks. Drags a little bit here and there, but nice and atmospheric overall with some catchy moments sprinkled in.
This new Double Album from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, In every way is absolutely all over the place. I’ll be honest, the first half of this hour long project is easily some of their most captivating material I’ve heard in years. The jams are good, the hooks are sticky, it’s nice! But the drastic drop off in the second half can not be ignored. The ideas run thin, and UMO go from re-invigorated to half asleep very quickly. It’s a messy affair for sure, but the material ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | The Garden 6:20 | 83 |
| 2 | Guilty Pleasures 3:28 | 73 |
| 3 | Meshuggah 4:37 | 78 |
| 4 | The Widow 5:10 | 75 |
| 5 | In the Rear View 4:04 | 72 |
| 6 | That Life 3:35 | 81 |
| 7 | Layla 4:10 | 77 |
| 8 | Shin Ramyun 4:49 | 77 |
| 9 | Weekend Run 4:47 | 79 |
| 10 | The Beach 3:17 | 67 |
| 11 | Nadja 4:06 | 75 |
| 12 | Keaukaha 2:14 | 71 |
| 13 | I Killed Captain Cook 3:28 | 68 |
| 14 | Drag 5:56 | 68 |
Total Length: 1 hour
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Added on: February 2, 2023