The Finnish band Kuumaa released their fourth album, 'Valoa varten', on February 12, but it has attracted unfavorable reviews from critics, notably from Helsingin Sanomat, which awarded it just two stars. Critic Aleksi Kinnunen described the album as excessively repetitive and calculated, sacrificing artistic interest for a safer sound. He criticized the tracks for their predictability and compared the band's efforts to 'cheap and hollow imitations' of celebrated groups like Coldplay and The Killers.

Moreover, Kinnunen drew comparisons to the works of other Finnish artists, suggesting that the band's music fails to innovate or excite within the pop-rock genre. He highlighted the title track as particularly unoriginal, likening its beats and style to a bland imitation of the Weeknd, a comment reflecting the absence of creativity in the group’s latest offering. Despite the critical reception, many of the band's fans have taken to social media to express their enthusiasm for the new release, demonstrating a divide between critical acclaim and fan enjoyment.

In contrast to the critic's harsh view, the band’s presence on platforms like Instagram showcases a dedicated fanbase that is overwhelmed with excitement for the album. This discrepancy between public reception and critical acclaim raises questions about the evolving nature of music criticism in an era where audience engagement can diverge sharply from traditional media reviews. As such, the band's future output may either adapt to this audience feedback or continue to garner criticism from established critics in the industry.