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Black Origami
by
Black Origami Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the electronic producer features contributions from William Basinski, Dope Saint Jude, Fawkes, and Holly Herndon.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Consequence
    May 19, 2017
    91
    Black Origami is an album that, like its predecessors, will be savored and analyzed for the rest of the year. It’s a lock for best albums of 2017.
  2. Exclaim
    May 22, 2017
    90
    To say Black Origami is an album that grows on you with each listen is correct, but undermines the energy you feel upon the album's first listen. It's earthy and futuristic, complex and linear, dance-y and a total mind-fuck.
  3. Dusted Magazine
    May 31, 2017
    90
    It’s dark and brooding, fiercely sparse at times and blindingly dense at others. Footwork is no longer an appropriate descriptor for this music. With Black Origami, Jlin has transcended her roots to build a language all of her own. And simply put, it’s brilliant.
  4. Resident Advisor
    May 18, 2017
    84
    Black Origami can be intimidating: it's dark, relentless, and makes substantial demands on the listener. But it's also powerful and distinctive. In the world of rhythmic electronic music, nobody else is doing it quite like this.
  5. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jun 28, 2017
    83
    Make no mistake--this is an album that’s challenging and demands attention, but if you can stay focused, you’ll be richly rewarded.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    May 18, 2017
    80
    It's intricate and punishing, industrial and artful.
  7. The Wire
    Aug 8, 2017
    80
    There’s a gracefulness to Patton’s rhythms that sets her apart from other footwork producers--something deeply contemplative. [Jun 2017, p.66]
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See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. samwich21
    Apr 9, 2018
    10
    On the first listen, it was just a bunch of nonsensical noises, but as I listened again, it all started to make sense.
  2. Iamnonesfriend
    Aug 24, 2017
    10
    Without a doubt one of the most forward thinking releases of 2017. Although loosely based around the footwork genre this album barely fallsWithout a doubt one of the most forward thinking releases of 2017. Although loosely based around the footwork genre this album barely falls into this pigeonhole. I see this record as futuristic techno, sparse and beautiful. The intricate beats and silences create a sense of foreboding at times oppressive and claustrophobic but on repeated listens opens up and really sounds like a futuristic soundscape of indian and african drums set to a backdrop of decaying cities and space.… Expand
  4. Maxxxb
    Aug 29, 2017
    10
    Having lived with this album for a few months now I would say it's one of the best, if not the best of 2017. A single minded intensity drivesHaving lived with this album for a few months now I would say it's one of the best, if not the best of 2017. A single minded intensity drives these rhythmic compositions; what may seem repetitive or annoying to some, takes on a spiritual dimension after a few listens and it's these variations on a theme which make the album what it is. Tracks which, on first listen, might sound similar sonically, are in fact saying very different things emotionally, and structurally. Highlights for me are the William Basinski collab 'Holy Child' in which a Bulgarian(?) choir is chopped into English sounding phonemes, over an impossibly syncopated rhythm, and 'Challenge' in which Jlin cycles through the instrumentation of different cultures in the manner of an African American drumline.… Expand
  5. Music_Observer
    Jun 8, 2017
    7
    While techniques within the layering stayed quite stagnant and the constant additions of ideas lost some sense of resolve, the diversityWhile techniques within the layering stayed quite stagnant and the constant additions of ideas lost some sense of resolve, the diversity within the melodic loops and cool percussive beats made this a neat, ambitious work. My Score: 121/180 (Good) = 6.7/10… Expand
  6. WhiskeyStories
    Jul 3, 2017
    7
    Another record this year that's been hyped up like hell by critics, but I just don't get why. Black Origami is an adventurous album with someAnother record this year that's been hyped up like hell by critics, but I just don't get why. Black Origami is an adventurous album with some very fun and unique tribal and militaristic beats with very clever mixing and a sense of humour. There are tracks that are truly fantastic, like "Kyanite", but there are also ones that I simply found bad, like the title track. Overall the good very much so outweighs the bad and it's a solid very enjoyable album, that I could see myself return to many times in the future, but it's just simply not as amazing as it's critical response would have you believe.… Expand
  7. Evic21
    Jun 11, 2017
    7
    While most of these songs have a very intricate and engrossing sonic pallet, it falls flat when she constantly bombards us with one annoyingWhile most of these songs have a very intricate and engrossing sonic pallet, it falls flat when she constantly bombards us with one annoying sound per song that keeps droning in the background, taking away from the other 90% of audio brilliance.… Expand
  8. Aloxb3
    Jul 3, 2017
    6
    It's not the kind of music I'd listen to in my car. But those who produce know that making an album with this theme using these types ofIt's not the kind of music I'd listen to in my car. But those who produce know that making an album with this theme using these types of sounds is very difficult. It's a real "Trip sound", your mom ain't understand!… Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

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