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Power Up
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Power Up Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

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  • Artist(s): AC, DC
  • Summary: The 17th full-length studio release for the Australian hard rock band was produced by Brendan O'Brien.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Consequence of Sound
    Nov 13, 2020
    91
    Simply put, AC/DC went in and kicked out the proverbial jams, crafting their best album in years and igniting a spark of joy into the stark timeline that is 2020.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Nov 11, 2020
    80
    Power Up is as exultantly fierce, furious and – let’s be honest – belligerently dumb as anything in their catalogue. It is no-nonsense, headbanging, fist-waving, foot-stomping, raw-throated, hard-screaming, riff-ripping, pedal-to-the-metal maximum rock and roll all the way.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Nov 11, 2020
    80
    While far from a reinvention of the wheel, ‘Power Up’ is a joyous celebration of the unbridled heavy rock that has served them well for almost 50 years and, we can hope, a unifying cry for the future.
  4. AllMusic
    Nov 13, 2020
    80
    They don't dwell upon the past, they barrel forward with a set of turbocharged blues and high-octane rock that doesn't merely sound good, it feels nourishing.
  5. Glide Magazine
    Nov 13, 2020
    80
    While the rest of the Power Up is still the same medicine, it remains a grade of B or better. No ballads and no “rock” titled songs on these 12 shakers. Call it now –Power Up is the strongest AC/DC lp since 1990’s The Razors Edge: Well done boys.
  6. Variety
    Nov 13, 2020
    79
    Through the unholy mess of its last decade, AC/DC has come out on the other end smelling like a black rose, and with a damned fine album in “Power Up,” which keeps the band’s inimitable form of metal magic intact with a few new wrinkles added to a familiar but still-thrilling bag of tricks.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Nov 12, 2020
    60
    AC/DC’s legendary stylistic consistency is on display across these 12 tracks. ... But with a group as locked on a signature sound as this one, the quality of the individual songs is paramount, and too many of those on “Power Up” — from the hookless “System Down” to the blandly bluesy “No Man’s Land” — are forgettable even after half a dozen spins.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. AngysYoungg321
    Nov 13, 2020
    10
    Amazing album!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. DerekReide
    Nov 13, 2020
    10
    2020 is SAVED by AC/DC! What an album. Classic AC/DC in all their rockin' and rollin' glory. 11/10
  4. Slip2ThaD
    Nov 14, 2020
    10
    BACK IN BLACK!
    This album has exactly what makes AC/DC AC/DC with the graby lyrics and titles to the incredible vocals that have sounded the    BACK IN BLACK!
    This album has exactly what makes AC/DC AC/DC with the graby lyrics and titles to the incredible vocals that have sounded the same for over 30+ years. All this spread along 12 tracks and 40 minutes of music, keeping it like they always have, this is a top 5 AC album in my opinion    … Expand
  5. NightlyNocturne
    Nov 14, 2020
    10
    The best album from AC/DC since 1983's 'Flick Of the Switch', easily. A modern, new classic for the band that deserves repeat listens and highThe best album from AC/DC since 1983's 'Flick Of the Switch', easily. A modern, new classic for the band that deserves repeat listens and high volume. Brilliantly done hard rock record.

    I was skeptical when fans and critics were pretty unanimously hailing this album as the band's best in 30+ years - but I get it now. They're right. Somehow, they are right.

    As a fan of classic rock and AC/DC, I've maintained that AC/DC's output has been inconsistent at best since about 1983. In fact, since 'Flick Of the Switch', there's really not one 'album' that I can say is 'great'. 'Rock Or Bust' was damn good and 'Black Ice' was decent. I didn't think they could do better than those two, which were enjoyable, actually.

    I was happy with those albums - but after hearing this new one, it's clear I was somewhat settling.

    PWR/UP somehow manages to not only be the best album they've done since '81, but is among the top Brian Johnson AC/DC albums. How a band their age managed to do such a thing, I'll never know.

    Perhaps this band thrives after the tragedy of losing a key member like Bon or Malcolm.

    This album is fresh, contemporary. The band sounds revitalized, angry, energized and most importantly - writing quality tunes.

    It shows what was missing from AC/DC albums from the last 30+ years.

    There's a sharpness and fire to the playing of Angus, a harshness to Stevie's tone. A groove to Phil that we haven't heard in eons. This IS Cliff Williams' best AC/DC album, as his bass owns every song. Brian Johnson is singing like he's trying to prove himself worthy.

    Production-wise, the album combines the rawness of 'Black Ice' with the meaty-tones of 'Rock Or Bust' for a perfect hybrid of the ideal AC/DC sound.

    Material-wise, sure, a lot of this is somewhat 'same old' in terms of AC/DC - but it's a high caliber of it, which is what has been missing since 'Flick Of the Switch'.

    But, there is also a lot of new curves thrown on this album. The band tries some new sounds out with an occasional unusual backing vocal or song structure. "Realize" is a bizarre structure for an AC/DC tune. The vocals on "Kick You When You're Down" are out of place for an AC/DC album but they work, somehow. Even looking at the song titles, there's something different about this record.

    The band took chances on this record - and it paid off.

    Songs like "Demon Fire" and "Realize" show a band with fire and anger again. Finally, songs with a fast pace again on an AC/DC record. "Through the Mists Of Time" shows a softer reflection rarely seen by this band. "Code Red" shows battle-ready rockin' sensibilities. There miraculously is not one dud on this stellar record. I could go on - but you need to hear it for yourself.

    This record didn't hit me initially, but I've lived with it for a couple weeks (courtesy of a leak) and it stands leaps and bounds above anything from '85-'14 and sits on the top of the heap of best post-Bon AC/DC albums with 'Back In Black' and 'For Those About To Rock'.

    Killer record.

    Deserves all the praise it's getting. I hope this is the final album - as it would be a fine epitaph to a legendary band's career.

    9/10 for the material. Another 1 for the fire and energy the band put into it.

    10/10. Buy it. Listen to it. Rock it. Live it.    … Expand
  6. Lord_Jingles
    Nov 13, 2020
    9
    In the time we need it most, AC/DC release a fantastic rock n roll album in memory of Malcolm Young, in which he would be very proud of. TheIn the time we need it most, AC/DC release a fantastic rock n roll album in memory of Malcolm Young, in which he would be very proud of. The boys have not sound this good in a long time. Welcome back Brian! Long live Rock N Roll!!… Expand
  7. BruDel
    Nov 13, 2020
    9
    The music we need in this F.....g Corona time.
    It gives blood to your bones, air to your lungs and power to your heart. Thank you AC/DC for    The music we need in this F.....g Corona time.
    It gives blood to your bones, air to your lungs and power to your heart. Thank you AC/DC for this wonderful vitamin.    … Expand
  8. monkeysloveme
    Nov 13, 2020
    0
    There is absolute nothing original or interesting about this album, from the opening bars of 'Realize' which is just the same tired power rockThere is absolute nothing original or interesting about this album, from the opening bars of 'Realize' which is just the same tired power rock they've done for years to the final track 'Code Red', if you already own a ACDC album then it's pointless buying this one as it's just the same songs with different words but somehow a lot lot worse, in fact just buy their 'Back In Black' LP it's like this but much much better.… Expand

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