John Maus – We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves

Released in 2011, We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves is the third album by experimental pop artist John Maus. Merging lo-fi synth-pop with philosophical and existential themes, the album blends catchy, vintage-sounding melodies with haunting vocals and a sense of eerie introspection. Songs like “Streetlight,” “Believer,” and “Hey Moon” showcase Maus’s knack for emotional depth within minimalist arrangements. The album marked a turning point in his career, bringing his underground sound to a wider audience and earning critical acclaim for its strange, sincere intensity.

Review

Pitchfork praised it as “a beautiful, brave, and often transcendent record,” giving it an 8.4.

The Quietus called it “a deeply moving album that redefines sincerity in pop.”

Resident Advisor described it as “retro-futurist and oddly heartfelt—a surreal synth-pop triumph.”