Romaplasm

Baths - Romaplasm
Critic Score
Based on 12 reviews
2017 Ratings: #430 / 940
User Score
Based on 127 ratings
2017 Rank: #569
Liked by 9 people
November 17, 2017 / Release Date
LP / Format
Anticon / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Northern Transmissions

Romaplasm is an album tailor made for the repeat button, compulsively listenable without being exhausting. Wiesenfeld has managed to make a party record without the hangover, one that’s just as exhilarating as a geeky pleasure — and just as much begging to be shared.

85
The 405
Even when choosing to relegate himself as a backdrop, this is perhaps the most simply alive Baths has yet sounded on record, retaining enough of his emotional heft, while allowing for an entirely new collage of flashy, elated songcraft. This is Baths triumphant.
80
AllMusic

In its own way, Romaplasm is just as rich as Baths' other albums, and the tension between its fantasy world and real-life concerns make for fascinating listening.

80
The Skinny

It’s all reassuringly consistent and distinctively Baths, managing to be both personal and kinetic as well as fantastical and otherworldly. He may not have switched up his style between albums, but now with this hat-trick of gems, there’s no need.

80
Loud and Quiet

Geotic’s soft textures are worked into moving vocal-pop songs, here, the most instantly satisfying Wiesenfeld has written.

79
Pitchfork

Without abandoning the conundrums that made Obsidian so emotionally indelible, he’s embellished the worlds of his songs with color from the dreams in which he’s immersed himself over the years. The setting may not be real, but the sentiment rings true.

75
The Line of Best Fit

Romaplasm ... is clearly an album made by an artist who has made the choice to create in a way that works for them, blending innovative electronica with the storytelling of a comic book artist to produce a truly innovative LP.

70
Tiny Mix Tapes

Romaplasm sees Wiesenfeld embracing computer-generated ebullience while maintaining an understandably hesitant air about him.

60
PopMatters
Wiesenfeld is writing songs as a vehicle for his message, as opposed to the songs being the message. This is where fans will be split. Either you'll like the new Baths, or you'll see it as a little boring or schmaltzy.
60
Q Magazine
The manic arrangements sometimes overwhelm, but there are worse places to drown than Baths' ball-pit of an imagination.
HalfsourDyl
94

Romaplasm is a delightful record. I love how theatrical and story driven a lot of the tracks are. His vocal style definitely isnt for everyone, though. Tracks like Yeoman and Abscond have so much charm and Human Bog is heartbreaking.

MrMclainy
35

These vocals are hideous and they’re everywhere

Achinkurure
85

changed my life

Achinkurure
85

changed my life

Deckard
84

This album and baths as an artist is controversial for a lot of people because of the vocals. Personally I compare them to sufjan stevens if he did a lot more vocal effects everywhere. There are falsetto's galore in this project. And honestly? I like it! It's unique to me, but I understand if it's offputting for some. Then comes the punchy production both resulting in extremely exciting songs and also slower quieter driftier ones, which honestly both work quite nicely.
TOP 3 SONGS: ... read more

Iwush
98

listened on 11/29/21

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Track List

1Yeoman
4:28
85
2Extrasolar
4:37
88
3Abscond
4:35
88
4Human Bog
4:23
83
5Adam Copies
4:02
73
6Lev
2:13
80
7I Form
4:16
85
8Out
3:56
78
9Superstructure
4:03
80
10Wilt
3:41
75
11Coitus
3:32
75
12Broadback
3:36
80
Total Length: 47 minutes
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Added on: September 21, 2017