No Geography
by The Chemical Brothers
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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  1. The Quietus
    Apr 12, 2019
    90
    It’s a bold claim to suggest No Geography with its reasonably brief (for them) 46 minutes is up there with the controlled chaos and warped psychedelia of their earlier work, but it is. With its unifying themes of freedom, unity and attack, channelled via the medium of boom and sirens, it really is. After the best part of 30 years, there’s still no one else like them. Amazing.
  2. DIY Magazine
    Apr 12, 2019
    90
    Both what you’d want and expect from a Chemical Brothers album, as well as a whole lot more on top, it pushes the duo firmly back to relevance.
  3. Clash Music
    Apr 11, 2019
    90
    Three decades after forming, hitting the reset button has unleashed this iconic duo afresh, demonstrating an insatiable ability to forge the perfect dance track, whatever the era. Go get your rave on.
  5. Under The Radar
    Apr 22, 2019
    85
    [An] excellent EDM album that resets the genre.
  6. Consequence
    Apr 16, 2019
    83
    No Geography is sprawling, terror inducing, and absolutely primed for the dancefloor.
  7. musicOMH.com
    Apr 15, 2019
    80
    No Geography is a great Chemicals album, for it balances the hedonistic big numbers with sentiments of real substance, fighting its corner with vigour in the face of chaos. ... It ranks as one of the Chemical Brothers’ finest achievements.
  8. The 405
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    For many decades the duo’s music has dwelled but thrived within the public consciousness, and even though No Geography looks backward at their heyday, it simultaneously looks forward further than most electronic artists today.
  9. The Guardian
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    No Geography glances back to emerge reinvigorated and refreshed.
  10. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    Their mega beats endure on No Geography, but this is also a stupendously successful splicing of past and present.
  11. Pitchfork
    Apr 12, 2019
    80
    Thirty years in, the Chemical Brothers are still digging their own purely escapist sonic rabbit holes. At a time of great cultural and global insecurity, there's never been a more tempting time to get lost in their sensory overload.
  12. Mojo
    Apr 11, 2019
    80
    No Geography bears testimony to superior crate-digging chops, cut-up skills and disco. [May 2019, p.86]
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  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 11, 2019
    80
    No Geography is another leap forward for the pair--it embraces new avenues of discovery and nods to the wider world, while having the feel of a victory lap and retrospective.
  14. Q Magazine
    Apr 11, 2019
    80
    Simons and Rowlands are making music that has the dizzying plasticity of their best work. [Jun 2019, p.113]
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  15. Uncut
    Apr 11, 2019
    80
    A welcome fusion of past glory with 21st century arena-rocking attitude. [May 2019, p.26]
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  16. Slant Magazine
    Apr 15, 2019
    70
    Save for the wonky sequencing choice of front-loading the two most negligible songs ... No Geography could easily pass for a collection of epic B sides to some of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons’s signature classics.
  17. AllMusic
    Apr 11, 2019
    70
    While not a low in their catalog by any means, No Geography is also not their strongest or most memorable work to date. It's best not to call it a comeback, just another ample addition to their decades-long discography.
  18. Exclaim
    Apr 11, 2019
    70
    It certainly has a strong first half, opening with "Eve of Destruction" and "Bango," a pair of high-energy tracks that play to the Chems' strengths. ... Similarly, just-okay tracks like "We've Got to Try," while boasting some exciting elements, seem b-tier in light of past triumphs. That said, even b-tier work from the Chemical Brothers is worthy of interest--an opportunity to respect one's elders.
  19. Resident Advisor
    Apr 19, 2019
    68
    No Geography pushes right up to the line but doesn't cross it.
  20. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 15, 2019
    60
    In choosing lower-key collaborators, however, Rowlands and Simons seem to want these more-banging-than-average tunes to speak for themselves.
  21. Rolling Stone
    Apr 11, 2019
    50
    The album’s feel and sound is resiliently explosive, especially on the three-song mini mega-mix of sorts that kicks things off. ... The rest of the album feels a little more perfunctory, never quite being of a piece a la their euphoric 2010 return-to-form Further, or offering uniquely memorable high-points a la Born in the Echoes’ “Tomorrow Never Knows”-tinged face-melter “I’ll See You There.”

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Most Discussed Album of 2019
18
#18 Most Shared Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 56
  3. Negative: 2 out of 56
  1. hutch108
    Apr 12, 2019
    9
    The Chemical Brothers sound more confident and focused than they have in 20 years. The veteran duo are running laps around theirThe Chemical Brothers sound more confident and focused than they have in 20 years. The veteran duo are running laps around their contemporaries and having fun doing it. No Geography is an absolute joy that doesn't seem to falter during its 46 minutes. Aggressive beats, genre-bending tracks, and perfectly matched collaborations. Everything you have come to expect from an exceptional Chemical Brothers record is present here. 9/10… Full Review »
  2. knoxvox
    Apr 12, 2019
    8
    If you're reading reviews from Rolling Stone and taking them seriously, you should stop. No Geography is a great new album from the legendaryIf you're reading reviews from Rolling Stone and taking them seriously, you should stop. No Geography is a great new album from the legendary duo, filled with lots of elements that made the Chems so great to begin with. Headphones or speakers, make sure to check this one out. Turn it up, have fun.… Full Review »
  3. CiphirSol
    Apr 16, 2019
    9
    Should we even consider Rolling Stone's opinion any more? Their rating makes no sense based on the text of their article, it seems likeShould we even consider Rolling Stone's opinion any more? Their rating makes no sense based on the text of their article, it seems like they've had a few and are just slinging out text to meet quotas. There's no passion in it. Oh the album's great btw, just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in on one of the mighty relevant critics.… Full Review »
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