Peter Murphy Silver Shade
Peter Murphy's Silver Shade arrives as a dramatic, often theatrical return that finds the singer leaning into synth-driven textures and the familiar grandeur of his baritone. Across two professional reviews the record earned a 75/100 consensus score, and critics consistently point to moments of genuine triumph amid uneven expanse. Standout tracks repeatedly cited are “Hot Roy”, “The Artroom Wonder” and “Cochita Is Lame”, with “Swoon” and the title track “Silver Shade” also highlighted for their emotional weight and production polish.
Professional reviews praise Murphy's strong vocals and the album's art-rock theatricality while noting a tension between grandiosity and restraint that defines much of the collection. Reviewers agree that Youth's production amplifies the record's synth sheen and dramatic instrumentation, allowing upbeat, melodic numbers like “Hot Roy” to sit beside piano-led pieces such as “Time Waits”. Where opinions diverge is on cohesion - one critic calls the album a triumphant, thought-provoking comeback that balances variety across styles, while another finds ornamental production sometimes blunts the songwriting, producing a noble yet uneven listen.
Ultimately, the critical consensus suggests Silver Shade is worth hearing for longtime fans and for anyone curious about Murphy's contemporary return: the record contains several of the best songs on Silver Shade and confirms his ability to marry nostalgia with renewed theatrical ambition, even if the overall pacing feels inconsistent. Detailed reviews below unpack where the album soars and where it frays.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Hot Roy
2 mentions
"The better tracks such as “Hot Roy,” “The Artroom Wonder,” and “Cochita Is Lame” are upbeat songs"— Under The Radar
The Artroom Wonder
2 mentions
"The better tracks such as “Hot Roy,” “The Artroom Wonder,” and “Cochita Is Lame” are upbeat songs"— Under The Radar
Cochita Is Lame
2 mentions
"The better tracks such as “Hot Roy,” “The Artroom Wonder,” and “Cochita Is Lame” are upbeat songs"— Under The Radar
The better tracks such as “Hot Roy,” “The Artroom Wonder,” and “Cochita Is Lame” are upbeat songs
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Swoon
Hot Roy
Sherpa
Silver Shade
The Artroom Wonder
The Meaning of My Life
Xavier New Boy
Cochita Is Lame
Soothsayer
Time Waits
The Sailmaker's Charm
Let The Flowers Grow
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 2 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
In his familiar baritone, Peter Murphy offers Silver Shade as a record both comforting and slightly adrift, where the best songs - “Hot Roy”, “The Artroom Wonder”, and “Cochita Is Lame” - marry upbeat synth melodies with a brooding darkness that recalls his past strengths. Murphy’s voice remains the album’s anchor, imbuing lines with gravitas even as arrangements sometimes swell into excessive grandeur that blunts the songwriting. Those standout tracks prove most successful at balancing electronic sheen and gothic atmosphere, while rock-leaning numbers like “Soothsayer” and “Time Waits” sink beneath ornamental layers. Ultimately, Silver Shade is a noble, uneven listen that will give long-time devotees moments to cherish but leaves the adventurous edges a touch muted.
Key Points
-
The best song(s) blend upbeat synth melodies with brooding darkness, making vocals and atmosphere shine.
-
The album’s core strength is Murphy’s vocal gravitas and moments of synth-driven intensity, but it is weighed down by excessive grandiosity.
Themes
Critic's Take
Peter Murphy returns triumphantly on Silver Shade, and the best songs - notably “Swoon”, “Hot Roy” and the title track “Silver Shade” - showcase why. In Badgley’s measured, celebratory tone he praises the album as daring and thought-provoking, describing “Hot Roy” as explosive and “Silver Shade” as drama at its best. He highlights contrasts too, noting piano-led “Time Waits” and the synth core of “The Artroom Wonder” as evidence the best tracks offer variety rather than sameness. The result, in his voice, is a brilliant and welcomed return from a missed friend.
Key Points
-
The best song is 'Hot Roy' because the reviewer calls it explosive and 'pure magic', highlighting its energy and production.
-
The album's core strengths are Peter Murphy's commanding voice, dramatic instrumentation, varied styles, and strong production by Youth.