PersonA
by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. The A.V. Club
    Apr 15, 2016
    91
    Skeptics who have already written the band off may dismiss the new methods as artificial, which isn’t that hard to do, given how much of the group’s history feels contrived. But, to an impartial ear, the record doesn’t sound like a collective of falsely enthusiastic neo-hippies; rather, it sounds like a collective of talented, unhampered musicians, and it deserves recognition as such.
  2. Exclaim
    Apr 13, 2016
    90
    PersonA is proof of the exemplary musicianship of Magnetic Zeros, and their ability to forge songs as rich lyrically as they are musically.
  3. Q Magazine
    Apr 13, 2016
    80
    Their most exceptional record yet. [Jun 2016, p.115]
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  5. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 18, 2016
    70
    The music is exquisitely played, impeccably arranged and the lyrics are thoughtful and esoteric. The only problem is that it's a bit of a grower.
  6. Clash Music
    Apr 14, 2016
    70
    PersonA sees a band stretching their creative wings and expanding their sound far beyond the fireside jammage that created them and becoming a more respectable prospect for it. The sun worshippers have added dashes of shadow and are all the more interesting for it.
  7. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 13, 2016
    70
    Where the band truly shines is when it strikes a balance between erudite musicianship and songwriting prowess.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Apr 22, 2016
    60
    The yaya factor is high indeed, and Ebert sings like a stoned Muppet. But his tuneful ease keeps the whimsy from dissolving into the pie-eyed ether.
  9. musicOMH.com
    Apr 18, 2016
    60
    At times, you yearn for the presence of a strong editor in the studio.
  10. DIY Magazine
    Apr 15, 2016
    60
    There are moments that long for something that once was, but those moments are fleeting. In its own terms, PersonA is largely an impressive album but there’s still some way to go yet.
  11. The Guardian
    Apr 14, 2016
    60
    Affectation is part and parcel of Ebert’s work with his band, and this fourth album sees the group continue to trowel on the rustic glaze.
  12. AllMusic
    Apr 13, 2016
    60
    PersonA finds the group still offering music-festival-friendly fare, but of a nature that's more jammy than jamboree.
  13. Consequence
    Apr 14, 2016
    58
    Although this is a solid step towards solidifying an already tight presentation, it could go deeper. There is still a disconnect between Ebert’s philosophy of childlike adventurousness and community-building and the songs themselves.
  14. The 405
    Apr 15, 2016
    55
    PersonA is an album based largely around Ebert's continued drive to reinvent himself to appease a particular audience. Unfortunately, the Magnetic Zeros and their brand of music is not one well suited to the audience they were attempting to find this time around.
  15. PopMatters
    Apr 29, 2016
    50
    PersonA is maudlin and cold and conflicted to the bone, the high-contrast shadow vista creeping out from behind Up from Below‘s brimming effulgence. Here, there’s not a bright future, but a dystopia in which utopianism seems vital.
  16. Magnet
    Jun 1, 2016
    40
    Most disappointing about PersonA is that it oscillates between gutsy and lazy. [No. 131, p.51]
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Monfa
    Apr 20, 2016
    8
    Just like when you travel, there are moments of joy, of emotion, of facing the adventure and there are also thoughtful moments, of longing, ofJust like when you travel, there are moments of joy, of emotion, of facing the adventure and there are also thoughtful moments, of longing, of peace, of reflection. To listen the album PersonA, seems to be that moment after the emotion and the sense of celebration and joy, when we need to rest a bit and "calm down", but still be themselves. We miss an extra participation in the voices, the contrast of Jade and choirs could expose the group as what they are: a team of musicians who combine their talent to create a melody, however in PersonA, Alex takes more presence and the band seems to follow him, accompany him but no more than this. Very good album that allows us to appreciate other moments in this journey of The Magnetic Zeros… Full Review »
  2. Slowave
    Apr 21, 2016
    7
    It's a grower, and it's still growing, so I'm a bit hesitant to give it a rating yet. I feel like I need to listen with headphones, walk inIt's a grower, and it's still growing, so I'm a bit hesitant to give it a rating yet. I feel like I need to listen with headphones, walk in the rain, and bond with it before I decide where this sits on the spectrum. I've both loved and wanted more from this band all along, and sometimes something as minor as recording quality or a "turd" lyric will just cause me to "smh" a little. That said, the talent and musical aptitude is consistently alluring, and this album has some great moments. Jade's absence, of course, is conspicuous, so it feels more like an Alexander album than a Magnetic Zeros album. It's hard to listen to "No Love Like Yours" without waiting for Jade to kick in. All in all.... I'm happy to give this more time, and I like it more after every listen. To be honest, the first listen felt like a downhill slope after Hot Coals.... and the sound quality felt tinny and echoed. Subsequent listens become less picky, and it's definitely a "grower," even if that's not what I want from this band. It feels a bit B-side at times, and after the long break this seems a bit tossed together. But... still worth getting to know.… Full Review »
  3. DasBarto
    Apr 16, 2016
    7
    I really like PersonA. I feel like it is a huge step forward for the band- I'm not saying I didn't like earlier projects, however this reallyI really like PersonA. I feel like it is a huge step forward for the band- I'm not saying I didn't like earlier projects, however this really feels more mature and well rounded than, say, Up From Below.

    I think PersonA is at it's best when The Magnetic Zeros venture to the blues/jazzy end of the spectrum- you can almost feel the immediate impact their new studio in New Orleans had. My personal favorites off the PersonA were "Hot Coals", "Wake Up The Sun", and "Perfect Time".

    On the flip side, while I was really digging the darker sound of "Hot Coals" and "Uncomfortable" I was put off by the brighter sounds of "Somewhere" and "No Love Like Yours". They felt better suited for Bsides and really didn't match the record's tone.    … Full Review »
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