Man, I really wanted to like this album when it came out. Being such a big fan of Pure Heroine (a 5/5 album imo), I listened to Melodrama over and over with the hope that it would start sounding good or even just tolerable. Reader, it never did. And 6 years later, I still can't convince myself that there's anything here worth listening to. I'm not very good at articulating why the actual sound of the music doesn't click, but the best I can say is that in every song, Lorde's singing doesn't match the instrumentals which is just super annoying. (I think this is a melody problem?) And on top of that, where in her first album Lorde's low singing voice sounds authoratative and smooth, here it sounds strained and grating. And on top of THAT, the lyrics are uninspired. Like I said, I've always wanted to like this album. But nothing worked for me then or works for me now, and I don't think it ever will.

Pleasant and funky elevator music

Man, I really wanted to like this album when it came out. Being such a big fan of Pure Heroine (a 5/5 album imo), I listened to Melodrama over and over with the hope that it would start sounding good or even just tolerable. Reader, it never did. And 6 years later, I still can't convince myself that there's anything here worth listening to. I'm not very good at articulating why the actual sound of the music doesn't click, but the best I can say is that in every song, Lorde's singing doesn't match the instrumentals which is just super annoying. (I think this is a melody problem?) And on top of that, where in her first album Lorde's low singing voice sounds authoratative and smooth, here it sounds strained and grating. And on top of THAT, the lyrics are uninspired. Like I said, I've always wanted to like this album. But nothing worked for me then or works for me now, and I don't think it ever will.

Boring

An absolutely peaceful listen.

I love how much they sound like punk B-52s!

Objectively this album is at most a 3, but gosh darn it if I didn’t have a huge smile on my face the whole time.

The first half of this album is over produced, but once it reaches the second half and it’s just John Lee Hooker crooning away against sparse instrumentation, I was sold.

Great background music for coffee shops (not a bad thing)

I guess I just don’t like the blues :(

Okay, was it just me or were most of these songs way too long? I guess no one wanted to tell Prince that listening to the beat of the song over and over while he moans is unappealing.

I can definitely see why a lot of people love this album. Very well crafted with moving lyrics. Just not for me.

Objectively this is a three, especially when compared to what The Beach Boys accomplish later with Pet Sounds, but gosh darn it! This is my list and I like The Beach Boys and I’m giving this a 4. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me :)

I liked this album a lot, which normally means I’d give it a 5/5, but something about the production and Fever Ray’s singing really frightened me so I’m giving it a 4/5 instead.

Starts strong, but then goes on for way too long.

Phenomenal album, much to my surprise

It’s a testament to how good some of the songs are that I’m giving this a 3, because on the whole this album is TOO F***ING LONG

I had never heard of Curtis Mayfield before, but I really like this album! It sounded like Prince if Prince didn't sound awful.

Super dorky

I usually like New Wave, so I'm surprised I didn't like this album! I think it's because every song sounded similar, no one song really stood out to me.

Better than slipknot