Michelangelo Dying is Cate Le Bon’s seventh studio album, released September 26, 2025 via Mexican Summer. It was produced by Le Bon alongside Samur Khouja. The album was conceived in a time of personal upheaval: following a long-term breakup, Le Bon channeled heartbreak, grief, and identity into this record. It’s been described as her most emotionally vulnerable work yet.
Musically, Michelangelo Dying continues Le Bon’s trajectory toward art-pop, synth textures, and neo-psychedelic atmospheres — but with sharper edges, sparser sections, and more vocal prominence. Among the collaborators is John Cale, who contributes vocals to the track “Ride.”
What Works
Emotional Honesty & Depth
One of the album’s strongest virtues is how unflinching it is. Le Bon doesn’t shy away from heartbreak or uncertainty — these emotions are front and center. As The Quietus notes, the album is “not about sweeping catharsis but learning to inhabit what’s left behind.” There’s a maturity in accepting ambiguity rather than resolving everything.
Sound Design & Atmosphere
Le Bon’s use of synth swells, murky textures, and echoing instrumentation gives the album a haunted undercurrent. Exclaim calls it “sad in the way David Bowie’s Low is sad”, a comparison that hints at its blend of introspection and ambient melancholy. Tracks like “Is It Worth It (Happy Birthday)” drift between intimacy and dramatic tension.
The minimal arrangements in certain songs give space for voice and vulnerability; Le Bon’s vocal clarity is more present than in some earlier work. Paste notes that her voice here “gets closer to the listener than ever before.”
The contributions from her ensemble — especially saxophone (Euan Hinshelwood), percussion (Valentina Magaletti), and occasional strings — help color the album without dominating it.
Standout Moments
“Ride” (with John Cale): A haunting duet that threads memory, presence, and shared history. “Heaven Is No Feeling”: One of the more immediate tracks, with its lyrical line “You smoke our love / Like you’ve never known violence” lingering in the mind. “Is It Worth It (Happy Birthday)”: The song swings between somber reflection and melodic tension, an emotional pivot.
Where It Falters / Observations
Because much of the album leans into atmosphere and mood, some tracks risk feeling too similar in texture; the emotional weight sometimes blurs into a continuous haze. Its introspective nature may limit its accessibility on first listen; one has to lean in to feel the shifts and the subtle moments. There’s no sweeping resolution — which is intentional — but some listeners may miss clearer catharsis or closure.
Verdict & Rating
Michelangelo Dying is a powerful, haunting, and emotionally resonant record — among Le Bon’s finest work. It doesn’t shy away from pain but turns it into art, revealing fractures and reflections in neon light and shadow. It’s a record that benefits from patience, repeated listens, and a willingness to sit with discomfort.
Rating: 8.5 / 10