maybe FTAA actually means that it is shallow and expendable and everyone will forget about it within a couple of weeks and the reviewer was desperately tryna unstooge themselves and take a swipe
or maybe fuck everything

Typical ZOOMER

After a couple listens this is not as bad as some people are saying, nor is it that much of a departure. The biggest issue is that, while there are cool sounds and ideas throughout, they never really cohere into anything resembling a true highlight. Nothing on this album grabs me; it just kind of leaves me feeling indifferent. The lyrics often feel like they belong on r/IAmVerySmart, but that's nothing new for SW-- it's just more apparent here, because the music doesn't have the depth or intrigue it typically does.

I'm leaning toward a 2.5. I loved the direction he took on To The Bone and felt it was really appropriate and refreshing; this is definitely a backwards step. To the Bone had a subtle depth to it that made it really inviting and listenable, but this record doesn't draw me in very convincingly.

Album Rating: 2.5

Ι think the only enjoyable think here is King Ghost, 12 Things I Forgot and some moments of the Broadwayesque chorus. The rest is decent, because of the stellar production, but I just don't feel like listening to it after Eminent Sleaze ends, and I like that song simply because of the Prince comparisons.

Album Rating: 2.0

"After a couple listens this is not as bad as some people are saying, nor is it that much of a departure. The biggest issue is that, while there are cool sounds and ideas throughout, they never really cohere into anything resembling a true highlight. Nothing on this album grabs me; it just kind of leaves me feeling indifferent."



My thoughts exactly.

Album Rating: 2.0

My problem with this one is knowing what he is capable of and see what this product is, makes me wonder why I have to listen to this irrelevant thing to be honest. King Ghost is fine everything else Is just meh, let's hope this phase of his ends soon and he starts giving us good music again.

Album Rating: 2.5

This thing feels so damn safe and inoffensive. That said, Personal Shopper-> Follower and 12 Things I Forgot have been on repeat. I feel like the sound appropriately fits the 'we live in a society' lyrics in a fun, theatrical way

Album Rating: 2.8 | Sound Off

From another perspective, making TRTRTS Pt. 2 would be the most safe and inoffensive choice. This is polarizing his fanbase even more than To the Bone.

Even though nearly half this album doesn't quite do it for me, does make me excited for what's next given the boldness of his artistic choices lately.

Album Rating: 4.0

In a general music perspective this is pretty safe and inoffensive. From a SW perspective this is the most polarizing thing you'll ever hear lmao

Album Rating: 2.0

I think I just opened my third eye

Album Rating: 2.7 | Sound Off

PRYING OPEN MY THIRD EYE

Album Rating: 2.5

Apologetic consumerim lyrics would be less SW than shallow criticism lyrics.

"Starting with my hot take, PERSONAL SHOPPER might not be a critique on consumerism. I'd go as far to say, it's an apology. Unusual, for sure, but aren't we all behaving as the song describes? Constant need of stuff, more stuff, an endless cycle. What if we embraced our weaknesses of constant consuming, and stopped fooling ourselves that we're not "part of it". In the end, it's making us happy, and that's..all that matters to us. Right?"

This is an interesting take. There's also the line "feel the bite down of the trap you're in." Contemporary consumer culture is one where any human action can be converted into data to be understood as patterns of vulnerable behavior, and is then sold and commodified. That's the nature of the trap; it recodes any behavior or action into the reach of its apparatus. So, whether SW intends it or not, this does kind of feel like a big, "I'm sorry, but... this is happening. I'm a part of it; so are you." Is the best way to deal with this sort of trap to hold still and send a beaming, deranged smile right back at it? Perhaps so. And that's why it's a problem that this album feels so clean and safe; there's nothing willfully deranged or crazy about it, when such an element feels appropriate. The recent Daughters album shows the type of deranged, maniacal attitude that I think is appropriate in the consumer situation that SW describes. The "bite" in this album has no teeth.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Let Steven have a mid life crisis in piece everyone! Yeesh

I spent 2 weeks growing to love the genius of 'Grace for Drowning; 6 months to realise that 'Raven' was probably the stronger album; 1 listen to realise there was so much to explore with 'Hand. Cannot. Erase." "To The Bone" was a mixed bag of highs and a significantly Permanating low. And now we have "The Future Bites"... his 'least interesting' offering to date. I think King Ghost is excellent, beautiful and amazing imho (ty SW). But, moving on... 12 Things I Forgot is basically a Pete Frampton chord progression/Blackfield mix that I do actually like, but it's ultimately weak and should really be on a Blackfield album. 'Count of Ease' is a strong offering and it shows that SW knows where to strategically place a track on an album, to give a powerful finale. 2 great moments, 1 nostalgic track (I'm still wishing for a decent Blackfield album again) and the rest is drab mediocre pop that is trying to be edgy and sophisticated but is, ultimately and regrettably, forgettable.
SW can write beautiful pop, proven with Postcard and Hand Cannot Erase imho... this new offering pales in comparison.
This is the first time in 6 albums I didn't by his 'super deluxe' version... and, thankfully, I feel like I dodged an expensive and non-essential bullet.

Album Rating: 2.5

It seems you did. I feel like I'm in the minority not liking ''Count of Unease'', but I agree that ''King Ghost'' is probably the best on here.



Didn't you like V? It was a decent Blackfield album.

Album Rating: 2.5

This isn't actively bad music, but it's utterly forgettable. Listened once and have no desire to return.

This new Steven Wilson album... it's NOT BAD

i tried to listen to this but when the lyrics in 'self' turned out to be just as obnoxious as 'personal shopper' i just noped right out of it

Album Rating: 3.3

All the B-sides make up a rather different album. More mournful, ethereal than the main LP. They are an interesting listen.