The provocateur sibling musicians behind Fiery Furnaces can’t be bothered to care about what’s popular—which makes for an outstanding new record, says Tiny Mix Tapes in awarding Widow City 4 of 5 stars. The prog-rock throwback band has reined in “their experimental proclivities”—or rather “streamlined” them—on their “toughest-as-nails” new tracks to create their best new album since 2004's Blueberry Boat.
While giving Widow the same rating, All Music sees the Brooklynites as not so much a throwback as a combination of “hyper-literate art rock and experimental almost-pop.” With subject matter ranging from legal woes and conspiracy theories to grandparents’ marital angst, the latest LP is more “mischievous” than ever—and finally captures the band’s live sound.