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Alternative Light Source Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length studio release for the British electronic group is its first in over 16 years.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 85
    Put simply, Alternative Light Source manages to sound both fresh and exciting, and like old Leftfield all at once.
  2. Uncut
    Jun 5, 2015
    80
    The impressive Alternative Light Source sees Barnes picking up, with a snarl, where the pair left off. [Jul 2015, p.78]
  3. Jun 5, 2015
    80
    There are some spine-tingling moments here.
  4. 80
    The new record doesn’t really break any moulds but it is a masterpiece of texture.
  5. Jun 22, 2015
    80
    The lack of urgency is also welcome, with Alternative Light Source slowly unfurling as the most natural and comfortable Leftfield album to date.
  6. Jun 25, 2015
    80
    Alternative Light Source is a worthy successor to 'Rhythm & Stealth', not as sparse or hard hitting but brimming with energy, ideas and familiar Leftfield diaphragm-rattling bass.
  7. Jun 5, 2015
    60
    While the instrumentals service Barnes well, when guest vocalists--once a hallmark of Leftfield’s work (John Lydon’s vocals on ‘Open Up’ still feel perfect)--the album broaches less solid ground.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Sep 25, 2015
    9
    Love it, hard to have another stab at what was already perfected on Leftism....thrilling, compelling, superbly produced and well worth theLove it, hard to have another stab at what was already perfected on Leftism....thrilling, compelling, superbly produced and well worth the wait. Roll on number four. Expand
  2. Sep 5, 2015
    4
    The album feels extremely limited, and though Bilocution and Universal Everything are thrilling and wonderful to listen to, they are also theThe album feels extremely limited, and though Bilocution and Universal Everything are thrilling and wonderful to listen to, they are also the only thrilling and wonderful moments, before the truly awful Head and Shoulders comes on, and everything generally slides downhill afterwards. Expand