1991 [EP] - Azealia Banks
User Score
8.8 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 61
  3. Negative: 2 out of 61

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  1. iamtrent424
    Sep 1, 2012
    10
    This is a very unique Ep. I love the style of music and the lyrics of Banks. If her debut album anything like this EP it should be a very great one. She has some great lyrics. EP album of the year. This album is a very great Hip Hop/R&B Album.
  2. jeneboe
    Jul 21, 2012
    10
    Azealia Banks is an original and fresh addition to the current Hip-Hop movement. Her Rap skills are very refined, her lyrics are unique, and she has a very good singing voice on top of it. This EP is great; I definitely recommend. Download her FREE Mixtape, Fantasea, though Facebook (It's very good as well).
    Favorite tracks: "212" and "Liquorice"
  3. BritRadiance
    Dec 17, 2012
    10
    Unique Ep, i love every track! Azealia, i want more, more, more, more. Fantasea (Mixtape) it's amazing too. Where's the album? Amanda you are so original and good to Hip-Hop!
  4. Pedro
    Nov 1, 2012
    10
    Ms. Banks is one of the smartest artists around. Using 90's-like house beats mixed up with clever rap wordplays, she accomplishes a hard-to-get feature: an EP that's strong from the funky title track all the way to "Liquorice", which celebrates men's fetishes for colored women. It's a win for Azealia!
  5. kowalski
    Sep 17, 2012
    10
    A fresh and tasty bite that makes you want more. An exciting EP which promises a great deal of fun and delivers through every little sound. Keep an eye on her, she's going to change the game.
  6. Humbz
    Jun 16, 2012
    9
    From the cover to the last second, 1991 is pure freshness. She's in her own lane and like she already said, this sh*t been hers. Favorite: Van Vogue and Liquorice.
  7. smithclark15
    Aug 12, 2012
    9
    This is one of the best EPs I've heard in a while. Her rapping skills are undeniable and she's a talented singer too. Each track uses shrewd and clever lyricism and marries traditional hard-core Rap with Electronica, Dance/Pop and House. Out of this holy union comes nothing but pure excellence. Her upcoming mixtape and album should not disappoint. The '1991' EP sure didn't.
  8. AlexxTrusc
    Jul 24, 2012
    7
    Although on the first major publication of Azealia Banks there were only four songs, she decided to place two of them as singles. These "212" and "Liquorice" are undoubtedly compositions belonging to the hip hop mainstream, with the difference that this quarter of an hour EP has a mostly house tone, which makes it stands out from the competition - and most importantly - does it in decent style.
  9. notoriouspdb
    Jun 12, 2012
    6
    Azealia's promise as a rapper is undiminished by the release, but it is clearly a stop gap rather than a step forward. A good, if unremarkable, release.
  10. survivorfan989
    Dec 31, 2012
    7
    Great debut EP from Azealia Banks, and while I'm not a massive fan of Hip-Hop I was really intrigued by this girl and there's no denying she's talented. I actually prefer both Licuorice and 1991 to the lead single 212, but all four songs are great! I'm looking forward to seeing what's next to come!
  11. Ghostofsound
    Mar 17, 2013
    8
    One thing's for sure, this girl has ATTITUDE. This ep is all about that word, laced with intelligent worldplay and her incredible phrasing which adds a layer of both rythym and beat as she bounces and pops from word to word. The whole thing is quite short, which lends to the whole thing as a teaser of what's to come in what's sure to be a controversial music career. On the negative side of things, it is noticeable that Miss Banks hasn't discovered a definitive sound yet, other than the sneering 212. The songs are a mix of bubblegum house, hip-hop, rnb with a sprinkling of punk. For her to be an artist that's taken seriously in the music world, she has to eradicate that sound mash up and either create more distinctive songs like te aforementioned 212, or concentate on particular concepts for future releases (Fantasea had a sense of sea punk baroque to it but I think it was slightly forced.) Overall, 1991 is the bud of what could bloom into a beautiful flower, or withering leaves. But either way you can be sure Azealia Banks won't care what people are going to think about her artistic endeavours, which will certainly work in her favor… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    Jul 10, 2012
    100
    1991 is all about the bubble-popping lushness of "Van Vogue" and the hall-of-mirrors shimmer of "Liquorice." It's also about the summer, and showing more of Banks than just her breakout hit.
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  2. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jun 25, 2012
    100
    Quick-tongued, lascivious, catchy, and delighted with itself, there hasn't been a more pleasurable record all year and probably won't be‑-not even by her.
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  3. Fact Magazine (UK)
    Jun 20, 2012
    70
    Banks continues to get away with her obnoxiousness--and while the quality of the music remains disproportionate to the hype, it does make her bratty rejection of the rap establishment feel that much more thrilling.
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