The Power Out - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic
BBC Collective (7/10)
Calgary Sun
Drowned in Sound (8/10)
Entertainment Weekly A−
The Guardian
The Observer
Piero Scaruffi (6.5/10)
Pitchfork Media (7.5/10)
Stylus Magazine A−

Critical reception to The Power Out was generally very positive. While the band's use of other languages and literary references may have been referred to as gimmicks, they were regarded as gimmicks with merit. The album was more focused than its predecessor, with Emma Warren of The Observer, considering the album to be "a great example of how the band have transformed themselves from a sparky but essentially limited instrumental four-piece into the major league" and the New York Times calling it "impressive".

One notable critic who felt the album was weaker than its predecessor was Piero Scaruffi, who noted that the album's songs were "more regular" than their predecessors.

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