Reflection (Loraine James album)
Reflection is the second album by London-based electronic musician Loraine James, released through Hyperdub in June 2021, which has been met with critical acclaim. It follows James' 2020 Nothing EP.
Reflection | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 4 June 2021 | |||
Genre | Electronic | |||
Length | 45:40 | |||
Label | Hyperdub | |||
Producer | Loraine James | |||
Loraine James chronology | ||||
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Composition
While Reflection is mostly an exploration of "heartfelt" electronica,[1] it also quotes elements from drill music, R&B, techno, and more.[1][2]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 8.3/10[3] |
Metacritic | 86/100[4] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Beats Per Minute | 82%[5] |
Crack Magazine | 8/10[6] |
Mojo | [2] |
Pitchfork | 7.9/10[7] |
PopMatters | 10/10[1] |
Reflection has received positive reviews. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 86 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on nine reviews.[4]
Tom Morgan for PopMatters lauded the record as "a work of seductive, heartfelt brilliance", noting that James is "at the absolute peak of her powers." He gave the album a 10 out of 10 rating.[1]
Stephen Worthy of Mojo described the album's tracks as James' "genre-bending confessionals that balance truth with hope." He added that as an "endlessly inventive album," Reflections "sets a noteworthy template for modern British electronic music", notably for being "a succession of counterpoints."[2]
While AllMusic noted that "Reflection doesn't quite have the shock of the new that For You and I did", the online database admitted that "its best moments are still powerful" and that "it would be impossible to mistake the album for anyone else's perspective."[8]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Built to Last" | 2:17 |
2. | "Lets Go" | 3:41 |
3. | "Simple Stuff" | 3:27 |
4. | "Black Ting" | 4:17 |
5. | "Insecure Behaviour and Fuckery" | 5:00 |
6. | "Self Doubt (Leaving the Club Early)" | 4:34 |
7. | "On the Lake Outside" | 4:51 |
8. | "Reflection" | 3:31 |
9. | "Change" | 7:12 |
10. | "Running Like That" | 4:19 |
11. | "We're Building Something New" | 2:32 |
Total length: | 45:40 |
References
- Tom Morgan (1 June 2021). "Loraine James: Reflection". PopMatters. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- "Mojo 07.21". Internet Archive. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- "Reflection by Loraine James reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- "Critic Reviews for Reflection - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- Jasper Willems (10 June 2021). "Album Review: Loraine James - Reflection". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- Jemima Skala. "Loraine James - 'Reflection' review". Crack Magazine. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- Philip Sherburne. "Loraine James: Reflection Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- Reflection - Loraine James | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2 October 2021
- Adjei-Kontoh, Hubert (7 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 December 2021.