SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBIN GUTHRIE - RIVIERA

Robin Guthrie
Riviera
Soleil Après Minuit

Robin Guthrie, the mastermind behind the ethereal post punk band Cocteau Twins, has returned for his third release of the year, Riviera. Although fans of Cocteau Twins may be looking for a similar sound in Guthrie’s new releases, this is not entirely the case. Stepping away from haunting gothic theatrics that were a key element for the band, Guthrie’s music leans more towards ambient instrumentals and chill out tunes.

Riviera is the kind of music you want for a laid-back relaxed day. The tracks on this EP will fit seamlessly into any chill out mix and is just what you need to ease the mind and settle into a cozy day in or a leisurely drive. Whatever it is you do to relax, these new tracks will add to that.

“Starfish Prime” kicks off this mini set with a light and uplifting vibe. If you wake up to this, it’s sure to start your day off right. Following that is “815” which is more introspective and meditative, then “Revue” comes in to lift the mood back up again. Rising and falling in tempo and theme, “The Empress” closes off the set in a track that drifts and flows slowly like smoke. It is soft and languid; dream-like even and a definite standout.

If you’re looking for new music to relieve the end of year chaos on an already hectic year, Riviera is sure to offer that temporary reprieve.

Artist Links

Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBIN GUTHRIE – RIVIERA

Author

Samantha Wu

Here's what we think...

Spill Rating

Fan Rating

Rate Here

New Criteria

—

6.0

Total Spill Rating

—

Total Fan Rating

You have rated this

album review album reviews riviera robin guthrie soleil après minuit starfish prime the cocteau twins

album review, album reviews, riviera, robin guthrie, soleil après minuit, starfish prime, the cocteau twins

About the Author

Samantha Wu

Samantha is both a writer and a fan of the arts and has been able to find numerous ways to pair the two. Eager to dive head first into writing for Spill, Samantha is an avid partaker and reviewer of live art in Toronto serving as an editor at Mooney on Theatre exploring live local theatre, she's a photojournalist for Go Globehopper, a travel, dining and tourism blog that focuses on Toronto and abroad and previously for Lithium Magazine. She's passionate about music, theatre, photography, and writing -- not necessarily in that order. She drinks tea more than coffee, prefers ciders over beers, and sings karaoke way too loudly. You can follow her on various social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

album review album reviews robin guthrie

9.0

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DREADNOUGHT – WARS OF SPIRIT // WARDS OF LIGHT

by Sydney James on September 11, 2026

DREADNOUGHT WARS OF SPIRIT // WARDS OF LIGHT VESPERIAN/METAL BLADE RECORDS To add two times more spice to the pumpkin spice season, Denver-originating symphonic progressive metal band Dreadnought returns with an epic vengeance. With an [...]

9.0

3.1

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: D.D.DANAHY – D3

by Aaron Badgley on September 11, 2026

D.D.DANAHY D3 INDEPENDENT Darren Douglas Danahy, known as D.D.Danahy, now also known as D3 is a very talented musician and artist. He is a member of Keldari Station, The Amaretto Sours, and Hidden Frequency. He has also released several solo [...]

8.0

6.6

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TWILARK – NEVER LEARNED THE TIDE

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on September 11, 2026

TWILARK NEVER LEARNED THE TIDE INDEPENDENT Moniker is a multi-purpose thing in music, one could be to make a distinction from other artists, particularly in a very crowded genre, and singer-songwriter one is possibly at the top of that list. Yet [...]

8.0

5.9

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOYER – ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE… (CROSSED LINES REMIXES)

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on September 11, 2026

JOYER ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE… (CROSSED LINES REMIXES) JULIA’S WAR RECORDS Remix albums share quit a few similarities, as well as questions with tribute ones – does the remixed artist and those given tribute albums deserve it, [...]

9.0

6.9

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FUNKADELIC – MAGGOT BRAIN (REMASTERED)

by Gerrod Harris on September 11, 2026

FUNKADELIC MAGGOT BRAIN (REMASTERED) ORG MUSIC Originally released in 1971, Funkadelic’s seminal album, Maggot Brain, is an essential classic that plays like Geroge Clinton’s response to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. In a [...]