All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Observer Music Monthly

The result is writ large on this brilliant second album, which welds his drifting soundscapes to fractious, rapturous techno.

Read Full Review >

PopMatters

Hard Islands is the nasty business that grabs a hold of your short and curlies and never lets go until your rocks are off.

Read Full Review >

musicOMH.com

Impressively, then, Nathan Fake has shown he is very much more than a one trick pony, with a bold second album statement that gets more impressive with every listen. We should watch his every move closely.

Read Full Review >

Pitchfork

With only six songs on offer--one of which is a 75-second interlude called 'The Curlew'--it's hard to feel like this is the assertive, confident statement Fake has it in him to make. As a strategic move out from the ghetto of nostalgic IDM Nowheresville, though, it'll suit just fine.

Read Full Review >

cokemachineglow

Hard Islands is hardly a wash, just frustratingly short of the sound statement Fake wanted to make.

Read Full Review >

New Musical Express (NME)

Ultimately, it lacks the variety or the startling sonic leaps that would make it essential. Interesting, but no cigar.

Read Full Review >

PopMatters

A few of the Hard productions are among Fake’s finest to date, but this release--its short running time aside--works primarily on a collection basis, as if it were two separate EPs gathered for one release and nothing more than that.

Read Full Review >

Uncut

His tunes have taken a tougher, more urban tone, with stand-outs 'The Turtle' and 'Basic Mountain' building to hard edged concrete peaks, drenched in acid Rephlex bleeps. [Jun 2009, p.85]

Mojo

Hard Islands is evolution. But some will hanker for Fake's fluffier vintage. [Jun 2009, p.102]

Q Magazine

This impressive follow-up finds him lacing hard-edged techno beats with quirky shifts on tone and texture. [Jun 2009, p.121]

Drowned In Sound

There’s no doubting that sensory sensations offered here can hold the listener, but most likely they'll be enjoyed a helluva lot more while chemically-enhanced; essentially this is not a record designed for home listening.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 0.0 (out of 10) based on 0 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Music

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Hard Islands

Album Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases