Party
Details
LP / Format
4AD / Label
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Your Review
CRITIC REVIEWS
90
Shifting moods and voices effortlessly, Harding is an often technically astonishing performer, and Party is a work of quiet power. An inviting, captivating darkness.
83
In a busy genre, Aldous Harding is a unique figure with a clear, singular musical vision and identity. Dark, unpredictable and compelling, ‘Party’ is an album that demands attention and any time given over to it is well invested.
80
The different voices and inversions mean that, even though she operates within the broad confines of gothic folk, she has an air of unpredictability. This suggests that the listener is party to a talent at the very start of her creative life.
80
For the most part ... this is a party for one, best enjoyed curled up with few distractions in the twilight hours. Sit, contemplate, and be absorbed into Aldous Harding’s spellbinding realm.
80
It’s an album that creates a very particular headspace of desire, paranoia and possibility.
80
On Party her songs are minimalistic, but they carry an emotional weight to which no one is able to stay indifferent.
80
Running to nine songs, the album features no missteps ... There is something both abstract and individual and yet universal about the way that Harding writes and presents her trials and triumphs of the heart.
80
Party takes a few listens to truly unravel, and you'll find yourself discovering new quirks from Harding each time.
75
Harding’s command of her craft is evident and worth witnessing on Party—and worth keeping an eye on in the future.
70
Party finds the sweet spot between raw and refined, and in doing so, feels very real.
original yet timeless. an instant classic. deep folk in the tradition of Sandy Denny, Nick Drake, and Anne Briggs. for me, best album of the year. any year. EDIT: after seeing her perform live, everything I think about this album and her talent is confirmed. it was astounding, and it rocked me to the depths. EDIT 2: named Rough Trade album of the year for 2017. so there.
Instrumentally this album is lovely and the stories she's telling on here are pretty captivating too, but I just don't really like her voice very much. Vocally it was a pretty flat record to me, she switches up her vocal tone and voice quite a lot on this album and whilst some have viewed that as a clever way of changing the atmosphere/tone of the song, to me it comes off as goofy and does nothing but break the momentum of these songs. Also some of these instrumentals were really drab and ... read more
An incredibly understated album. I personally love her voice, it's so dexterous that she should be able to sing in at least one register you enjoy. She sounds like anyone from Hannah Seid (London Grammar) to Nicole Dollanganger, to PJ Harvey or even Kate Bush - and often all within one song.
I suppose the album's biggest shortcoming is it's relatively tame composition of folk music on some tracks, but there are still plenty of intricate and unpredictable sounds. Living the Classics moves at ... read more
I suppose the album's biggest shortcoming is it's relatively tame composition of folk music on some tracks, but there are still plenty of intricate and unpredictable sounds. Living the Classics moves at ... read more
Horizon is one of the most beautiful songs of the year.
This album haunts me but in a good way. Superb stripped back production, amazing vocal control from aldous evoking emotions from lost soul to assured and in complete control.
Favourite songs that replay in my brain every day .. Imaginary Man, Party, Horizon and Blend but they’re all great and rate as top of my all time list. No duds .. a complete album.
Favourite songs that replay in my brain every day .. Imaginary Man, Party, Horizon and Blend but they’re all great and rate as top of my all time list. No duds .. a complete album.
END OF YEAR LISTS
| #1 | / | NZ Herald |
| #1 | / | Rough Trade |
| #4 | / | Gorilla vs. Bear |
| #10 | / | MOJO |
| #10 | / | NPR Music |
| #12 | / | Loud and Quiet |
| #16 | / | BrooklynVegan |
| #16 | / | Double J |
| #18 | / | The Skinny |
| #21 | / | Les Inrocks |
| #21 | / | Piccadilly Records |
| #22 | / | Vinyl Me, Please |
| #43 | / | Crack Magazine |
| #45 | / | Rolling Stone (Australia) |
| #65 | / | Fopp |
More Lists
MISC LISTS
| #3 | / | Gorilla vs. Bear (First Half) |
| #15 | / | Drift Records |
Track List
- Blend
- Imagining My Man
- Living the Classics
- Party
- I'm So Sorry
- Horizon
- What If Birds Aren't Singing They're Screaming
- The World Is Looking For You
- Swell Does the Skull
Added on: March 31, 2017
