Spirit Exit
| Spirit Exit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 8, 2022 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 55:56 | |||
| Label | Light-Years | |||
| Producer | Caterina Barbieri | |||
| Caterina Barbieri chronology | ||||
| ||||
Spirit Exit is a studio album by Italian composer Caterina Barbieri.[3] It was released on 8 July 2022 through her record label Light-Years.[4] It received universal acclaim from critics.[5]
Background
Spirit Exit was written and recorded in Caterina Barbieri's home studio in Milan, during a two-month COVID-19 lockdown period in 2020.[6] She drew inspiration from Teresa of Ávila, Rosi Braidotti, and Emily Dickinson.[4] The album incorporates vocals, guitar, and strings, in addition to synthesizer.[4] It includes an alternate version of "Knot of Spirit", the original of which was released in 2021 with vocals from Lyra Pramuk.[6] A music video was released for the track "Broken Melody".[4]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 82/100[5] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Crack | 7/10[7] |
| Loud and Quiet | 7/10[8] |
| Pitchfork | 7.6/10[9] |
| Uncut | 8/10[10] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Spirit Exit received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 from 5 critic scores.[5]
Shrey Kathuria of Loud and Quiet wrote, "Equal part blissful and mysterious, Barbieri's arpeggiated synth passages narrate an abstract story that is both melancholic and charged with energy."[8] Linnie Greene of Pitchfork stated, "Layer by layer, Spirit Exit unfolds odd-couple pairings of electronica with elements inspired by minimalism, classical guitar, and machine learning."[9] Louis Pattison of Uncut commented that "A mood of high seriousness pervades, but Spirit Exit's blend of spirituality and futurism is often transfixing."[10] Nic Renshaw of SLUG stated, "Between the fearless stabs at high-art poptimism and the extended exercises in hi-fi cosmic beauty, Spirit Exit offers just about everything a fan of cerebral, creative electronic music could want."[11]
Accolades
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPR | The 50 Best Albums of 2022 | 35
|
|
| NPR | The 11 Best Experimental Albums of 2022 | —
|
|
| Slant Magazine | The Best Electronic Albums of 2022 | —
|
Track listing
All tracks are written by Caterina Barbieri.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "At Your Gamut" | 7:06 |
| 2. | "Transfixed" | 5:13 |
| 3. | "Canticle of Cryo" | 7:42 |
| 4. | "Knot of Spirit (Synth Version)" | 10:19 |
| 5. | "Broken Melody" | 4:26 |
| 6. | "Life at Altitude" | 7:49 |
| 7. | "Terminal Clock" | 5:01 |
| 8. | "The Landscape Listens" | 8:17 |
| Total length: | 55:56 | |
Personnel
Credits adapted from liner notes.[13]
- Caterina Barbieri – production, mixing, art direction
- Carlo Maria – MC-202 (6), additional mixing (2, 3, 5, 7)
- Antoine 'Chab' Chabert – mastering
- Ruben Spini – art direction
- Nicola Tirabasso – design
- Furmaan Ahmed – photography
Charts
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[14] | 45 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[15] | 41 |
References
- ^ a b "The Best Electronic Albums of 2022". Slant Magazine. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b "The 11 Best Experimental Albums of 2022". NPR. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Simpson, Paul. "Caterina Barbieri". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Cetin, Marissa (21 April 2022). "Caterina Barbieri announces new album, 'Spirit Exit', shares track: Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Spirit Exit by Caterina Barbieri". Metacritic. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b Eede, Christian (20 April 2022). "Caterina Barbieri Details New Album, 'Spirit Exit'". The Quietus. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Baines, Josh (11 July 2022). "Caterina Barbieri: 'Spirit Exit' review". Crack. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b Kathuria, Shrey (18 July 2022). "Caterina Barbieri - Spirit Exit". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b Greene, Linnie (8 July 2022). "Caterina Barbieri: Spirit Exit". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ a b Pattison, Louis (August 2022). "New Albums". Uncut. p. 25.
- ^ Renshaw, Nic (11 July 2022). "Review: Caterina Barbieri – Spirit Exit". SLUG. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "The 50 Best Albums Of 2022 (40-31)". NPR. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Caterina Barbieri (2022). Spirit Exit (CD booklet). Light-Years.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 15/7/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 15/7/2022 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
Further reading
- Ague, Vanessa (8 July 2022). "Caterina Barbieri, "Spirit Exit"". Bandcamp Daily.
- Gordon, Lewis (9 July 2022). "Caterina Barbieri's rapturous electronica was forged in deep solitude". NPR.
External links
- Spirit Exit at Discogs (list of releases)
- Spirit Exit at AllMusic