Umbilical is the sixth studio album by American sludge metal band Thou. It was released on May 31, 2024, through Sacred Bones Records. Recording sessions took place in December 2023 at Hightower Recording in New Orleans.
Umbilical was met with positive reviews from music critics. According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Umbilical received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 87 out of 100 from 7 critic scores.[1]
Harry Sword of The Guardian praised the album, saying "what results is the most maximalist and invigoratingly cathartic exercise in introspection you could possibly imagine – and one of the finest metal albums of the past decade".[5] Olly Thomas of Kerrang! resumed: "this is simultaneously both the most pulverising and the most memorable release the band have put their name to in years".[6]Sputnikmusic staff Sunnyvale concluded: "Umbilical unleashes a different side of the band's signature blend of bone-crunching riffs and ear-splitting screeching, but it's characteristically well-crafted and certain to satisfy music fans previously seduced by Thou's grim and imposing style".[9] Patrick Lyons of Pitchfork stated: "Thou are a blast even when Funck is digging into esoteric philosophy over the slowest riff you've ever heard, but it's refreshing to hear them get real with themselves, jogging their music out of the enthralling but insular world they've created over the past 15-plus years".[8] John Amen of Beats Per Minute concluded, "with Umbilical, Thou toe the doom-metal line re the inevitability of suffering/the urgent need for defiance while rummaging in an expanded playbook. The band flirt with songs and song structures, writhing, per usual, in a hellish din, Bryan Funck exuding immeasurable discontent".[3]
Reviewing the album for AllMusic. Fred Thomas called it, "a nightmarish depiction of destroyed emotions and blind rage, its combination of production subtleties and light nods to '90s influences" and claimed that the band "peel away just enough intensity to make the album Thou's most coherent and engaging work yet."[2]
