User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
A Seat at the Table Image
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 391 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length studio release for the R&B singer features guest appearances from Nia Andrews, BJ The Chicago Kid, The Dream, Kelela, Lil Wayne, Q-Tip, Kelly Rowland, Sampha and
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Cranes In The Sky
I tried to drink it away I tried to put one in the air I tried to dance it away I tried to change it with my hair I ran my credit card bill... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Jan 6, 2017
    100
    It’s a master-stroke on a landmark record of staggering intelligence, depth and musicality.
  2. 91
    Though at times it rages, it also rebukes division and seeks dialogue. In the same way black art is enriched by its complicated history, A Seat at the Table shines due to Knowles’ unwavering commitment to her own complexity, both musically and personally.
  3. Oct 3, 2016
    90
    A Seat demands a careful listen, and rewards it richly. This is Solange's strongest album to date.
  4. Nov 14, 2016
    90
    A Seat at the Table is intensely rich and gracious in its candor, so much so that it’s quieter, painstakingly personal moments are every bit as robust as direct aggression. Its soulful flow is luscious and languid, and simply dazzles in the graceful, airy beauty of Cranes In the Sky, where Solange’s voice floats to stratospheric altitudes.
  5. Oct 18, 2016
    80
    A Seat At The Table is an expertly-curated, a near-perfect record that serves as a timely, musical manifesto on how to be black and proud.
  6. The Wire
    Dec 21, 2016
    80
    She draws you into the shadows and crumbling concrete of America, a nation in which, as Knowles pointed out in a recent online essay, “a former Ku Klux Klan leader is running for Louisiana senator.” [Dec 2016, p.54]
  7. 60
    Save for the chunky “Don’t You Wait”, there’s little punch or pop charm to the album, which boasts a surfeit of luscious textures and feisty attitudes, but a shortfall of killer melodies.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Oct 9, 2016
    10
    This album is artfully crafted, produced and lyrically stunning. The most amazing part are the interludes that basically make "the table". IThis album is artfully crafted, produced and lyrically stunning. The most amazing part are the interludes that basically make "the table". I felt like I was sitting there with all those people, listening to their stories and struggles and trying to understand this world we live in and why coexistence is so close, yet so far. Thoughtful, intricate, socially relevant and internally personal. Expand
  2. Oct 3, 2016
    10
    Não tem o que negar, esse álbum é maravilhoso, desde quando escutei "Losing You" saberia que Solange apenas nos iria surpreender com sua arteNão tem o que negar, esse álbum é maravilhoso, desde quando escutei "Losing You" saberia que Solange apenas nos iria surpreender com sua arte e este álbum é a prova disso. Expand
  3. Oct 3, 2016
    10
    RAINHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, que pisao nonLimonada foi esse? Deusa, WearyRAINHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, que pisao nonLimonada foi esse? Deusa, Weary donissima do album. Expand
  4. Oct 26, 2016
    10
    Absolutely stunning work with interludes from various family members and talks of how it is to be a black woman in America at the moment. TheAbsolutely stunning work with interludes from various family members and talks of how it is to be a black woman in America at the moment. The whole album flows together concisely and powerfully. The most exciting surprise is Lil Wanye's personal cameo which is some of his best emotional work to date. Expand
  5. Oct 5, 2016
    10
    This is a truly masterpiece. Gosh. It gives me awesome feelings every time I listen to it, so finest, so flawless, bold and beautiful. SheThis is a truly masterpiece. Gosh. It gives me awesome feelings every time I listen to it, so finest, so flawless, bold and beautiful. She needs more recognition. Expand
  6. Nov 21, 2016
    9
    It's stupid to say that this is just music, I mean, there's so much culture, discussion and strenght in this album, like it can trascend theIt's stupid to say that this is just music, I mean, there's so much culture, discussion and strenght in this album, like it can trascend the state of being just art and become a source for identity and history. However, if it comes down to purely what reaches the ear, Solange's A Seat at the Table finds her in a position of self-empowerment, universal access and thought-provoking lyrics. The interludes give cohesion and guide you through it all, they give you words worth on checking them out, they have wisdom between the lines. The production gives vibes of the last three decades and still feels fresh. This really made me pay attention to other point of views in the struggles of being a black person in the society nowadays, it's kinda revolutionary in some way too. Totally blown away by it. Expand
  7. Oct 27, 2016
    1
    This is possibly the most boring piece of crap "album" I have ever heard. SO BORING. Oh my god, so incredibly boring. Every song is exactlyThis is possibly the most boring piece of crap "album" I have ever heard. SO BORING. Oh my god, so incredibly boring. Every song is exactly the same. This is barely even music. Just, oh god. This album getting good reviews is just totally unbelievable. Expand

See all 36 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2016

    Metacritic Users Pick the Best of 2016 Image
    Published: January 5, 2017
    The results of our 7th annual user poll are in! Find out which albums, movies, TV shows, and games were the favorites of the Metacritic community in 2016.
  2. The Best Albums of 2016

    The Best Albums of 2016 Image
    Published: December 23, 2016
    We rank the 40 highest-scoring album releases of 2016. You can also find lists of the best reissues and 2016's lowest-scoring albums as well as our users' favorite albums of the year.