The Album
by BlackPink
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 2491 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,998 out of 2491
  2. Mixed: 78 out of 2491
  3. Negative: 415 out of 2491
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  1. vitortfv
    Dec 3, 2020
    5
    Very pop, but songs that sound empty due to excessive repetition and lack of composition.
  2. Cittadel
    Oct 4, 2020
    5
    The album was what I expected it to be: fun, but a bit underwritten and undercooked---and most definitely too short. Its entire length feels a lot more like an EP than an album, which wouldn't necessarily a bad thing if all the songs were of an equal quality. Instead, songs like Lovesick Girls, Pretty Savage and Ice Cream are the only three songs I personally find to have a distinctiveThe album was what I expected it to be: fun, but a bit underwritten and undercooked---and most definitely too short. Its entire length feels a lot more like an EP than an album, which wouldn't necessarily a bad thing if all the songs were of an equal quality. Instead, songs like Lovesick Girls, Pretty Savage and Ice Cream are the only three songs I personally find to have a distinctive sound. Especially the final three tracks are slightly clunky at points and really drag down the pacing, up to the point that I actually think they should have been cut.… Expand
  3. Kt0908
    Nov 24, 2020
    5
    To have waited so long for Blackpink to release an album and the sings were okay at best? The few standouts I really enjoyed were Pretty Savage (although I wasn't so fond of the lyrics the beat was nice) and Lovesick Girls because the melodies & bridges in those songs were good but the rest fell flat for me. I wouldn't call this album bad just.... underwhelming. While these girls have aTo have waited so long for Blackpink to release an album and the sings were okay at best? The few standouts I really enjoyed were Pretty Savage (although I wasn't so fond of the lyrics the beat was nice) and Lovesick Girls because the melodies & bridges in those songs were good but the rest fell flat for me. I wouldn't call this album bad just.... underwhelming. While these girls have a lot of hype, the music just doesn't stack up for me. Ice Cream was definitely not it, way to much Selena Gomez. The Cardi collab was very cookie cutter. And above all I feel like the album lacked identity. As a whole piece, it was weak for a debut album 4 years in the making.… Expand
  4. hellomusic
    Oct 3, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The album is good. Its amazing but for the 4 years of waiting an album i can’t really say its truly worth my wait. Maybe i expected too much. But each track brings their own coolness and fun. ‘Pretty savage’ did sound like something they would do. The intro and the first verse was lit. A fan of more rap sure will like it. And then ‘you never know’ reminded me of ‘hope not’. The vibe was chill and emotional. Im not a fan of ‘bet you wanna’ its the song that i’ll probably listen less. ‘Love to hate me’ brings something new to the table. Other than that the rest were pretty good. To be honest i don’t see myself repeating any other songs than lovesick girls and love to hate me. Before even saying anything about the album you should check it out first. The album is good and maybe you’ll like it.… Expand
  5. gggail
    Oct 28, 2020
    5
    The Album: BlackPinks first foray into making a full body of Music, is in one word "disappointing", however I cannot slander it like many others, writing it off as "pink pop" or simply noise, because it isn't. What The Album is at its core is Bland. It is presented with all the glitz and glamour of your typical K-pop Album with an added BlackPink flair which is a nice touch for fans. TheThe Album: BlackPinks first foray into making a full body of Music, is in one word "disappointing", however I cannot slander it like many others, writing it off as "pink pop" or simply noise, because it isn't. What The Album is at its core is Bland. It is presented with all the glitz and glamour of your typical K-pop Album with an added BlackPink flair which is a nice touch for fans. The music however seems soulless bar the final track- 'you never know.' It is all produced to a very high standard and that should be praised, clearly a lot of time and effort went into curating this album into being noticeably ON BRAND. In doing so any signature the singers could give the songs is lost, their is no personality and as a listener you feel that. Additionally some of the songs are simply painful to listen to, How you like that and Ice cream (the unfortunate pre releases) are the main perpetrators, filling a lyrical vacuum with frustrating and repetitive sounds. Yet this repetition and seemingly vacuous beat are one of the Albums strong points...this music gets stuck in your head! I did not like the title track Lovesick girls but boy was I humming the chorus, singing Jisoo's Bridge and doing little bits of choreo constantly. Every single song has this catchy moment that the listener can just grip onto and never forget, for better or for worse. Additionally the vocal performances on the album where its strongest element, Lisa (the rapper) did blow my socks off with her flow, sadly with such poor lyrics as "Mona Lisa kinda Lisa
    Needs an ice cream man that treats her", she cant do much with it. Additionally (and adding to the soullessness) she is unable to contribute or write any of her raps which rather takes away from the Rhythm and Poetry. This is much the same as Jenny who has a little more punch but (in my rather unrefined opinion) a little less technique. Both the singers Jisoo and Rose have incredibly unique vocals and allow the listener to identify them among the noise, Jenny and her singing is less fortunate, often being lost among the sometimes overwhelming numbers of additional sounds added on top of already clustered beats. This Album isn't messy but it is a mess, its so polished and refined and had so much building up to it (four years) that to release such an overproduced and impersonal body of work feels like a huge let down. If it was down to only my opinion I would give The Album a 1 because I struggled to finish it and would never listen again, however I can see the charm. I understand that catchy pop sells and that this type of music can be fun to consume. I just wish it had more heart.    … Expand
  6. Ahsanul_Haque
    Dec 4, 2020
    6
    I heard this album 3 times to understand musically and lyrically. To be honest i like the song You Never Know but in album songs perspective i couldn't find the connection between the songs and i couldn't understand why these songs are in this album. Lovesick Girls was good. The last thing i want to tell they need focus on lyrics more they have catchy beats but not good lyrics which is theI heard this album 3 times to understand musically and lyrically. To be honest i like the song You Never Know but in album songs perspective i couldn't find the connection between the songs and i couldn't understand why these songs are in this album. Lovesick Girls was good. The last thing i want to tell they need focus on lyrics more they have catchy beats but not good lyrics which is the heart of an album.… Expand
  7. Kaia15
    Mar 21, 2021
    6
    I was very excited to see Blackpink release their first album after 4 years, but as much as I enjoyed songs such as Lovesick Girls, Pretty Savage, and You Never know, a lot of the instrumentation felt empty and unfinished. Many songs such as the title track "How you Like That" and even "Pretty Savage" were very similar to their old work and didn't offer too much experimentation, followingI was very excited to see Blackpink release their first album after 4 years, but as much as I enjoyed songs such as Lovesick Girls, Pretty Savage, and You Never know, a lot of the instrumentation felt empty and unfinished. Many songs such as the title track "How you Like That" and even "Pretty Savage" were very similar to their old work and didn't offer too much experimentation, following the same song mold as some of their biggest hits like D4 and Kill This Love. One song I was surprised by was You Never Know. The stripped back ballad pop song felt very personal and heartfelt, which is something I hope Blackpink continue to expand on in the future as they grow as artists. For a first album, this project was ok, but there is still a lot of room the for the girls to grow and mature in their music style.… Expand
  8. biaabrantes
    Oct 3, 2020
    5
    Honestly this is really mediocre, nothing stands out and the album lacks cohesiveness. Expected more after four years of waiting
  9. JennaCarino
    Oct 2, 2020
    4
    2 good tracks 3 overprocessed tracks (weird thats the only tracks they decide to showcase) 3 tracks that gets going but falls flat. Lyrics were never their strong suit so I wouldn't come into this album expecting an experience. The Album just didn't live up to The Hype.
  10. markusmoro
    Oct 2, 2020
    6
    Infelizmente, mesmo com um grupo tão poderoso em suas mãos, a YG Ent. provou mais uma vez que não consegue administrar um álbum completo. Quando o CD começa a ganhar forma, ele acaba. Parece que está faltando alguma coisa, o toque final até chegarmos no fim. Seguindo a lógica, seria compreensível serem lançados dois mini álbuns com este conteúdo, afinal, se a proposta é lançar um álbum comInfelizmente, mesmo com um grupo tão poderoso em suas mãos, a YG Ent. provou mais uma vez que não consegue administrar um álbum completo. Quando o CD começa a ganhar forma, ele acaba. Parece que está faltando alguma coisa, o toque final até chegarmos no fim. Seguindo a lógica, seria compreensível serem lançados dois mini álbuns com este conteúdo, afinal, se a proposta é lançar um álbum com somente 8 músicas, no mínimo, todas elas precisam ser excelentes. As colaborações destoam muito. Mesmo que elas quisessem, Selena Gomez e Cardi B não dariam as mãos juntas até o estúdio para gravarem com as meninas. Lovesick Girls tem muito potencial comercial e com certeza pode dominar as rádios, basta a Interscope investir nisso aqui no Ocidente. O lado bom disso tudo? É saber que Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo e Rose são muito talentosas, lindas, carismáticas e com certeza darão o seu melhor em qualquer trabalho proposto. No mais, espero que a gravadora tome mais cuidado nos próximos lançamentos.… Expand
  11. Lorench12
    Oct 3, 2020
    4
    Typical kpop album with few bops. Bet you wanna is my fave. Queen thingsssss
  12. bringthelight
    Oct 5, 2020
    4
    "The album" does not try to be innovative or bring a great artistic content, Blackpink bet on its already known formula in the structure of the songs and the sound very generic and close to American pop, a probable attempt to introduce itself in the western market, something reinforced in the lyrics of songs that have more english than conventional k-pop. At the end of the day, "the album""The album" does not try to be innovative or bring a great artistic content, Blackpink bet on its already known formula in the structure of the songs and the sound very generic and close to American pop, a probable attempt to introduce itself in the western market, something reinforced in the lyrics of songs that have more english than conventional k-pop. At the end of the day, "the album" is more like an EP than an actual album, the eight songs are not far from what was heard in the group's discography and the featuring with western artists are poorly used and poorly performed.… Expand
  13. MarkBSO
    Oct 2, 2020
    6
    "the album" is almost an EP, but it still lacks in cohesion
    anyway it has good songs
  14. ladypablo
    Oct 2, 2020
    6
    um álbum que com um hype enorme veio meio broxante, 3 músicas que salvaram! Tomara que tenha mais um álbum pra gente ter certeza que não morreram nesse
  15. RachelR
    Oct 3, 2020
    4
    Took it so long to deliver an average content. The title song is nice, but very basic, nothing fresh...
  16. hate-to-admit
    Oct 5, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So... Blackpink made a full album. I mean, it is only 8 tracks, 2 of them are pre-releases and the album has a run time of 24 minutes, so, can we even call it a full album? Don't get me wrong, the tracks are good, but this album was long overdue and it doesn't feel complete? Like, it could have another two songs and the ending wouldn't be so abrupt? You Never Know ends in such an unsatisfying tone and I'm so mad at it. I like the tracks alone, but they don't fit together to make an album. The lyrics are nothing to write home about, but I didn't expect much when YG DOESN'T LET THE GIRLS WRITE!!!!! So, in conclusion, this felt rushed even when YG had 4 years to do it, but the fans will stream the sh*t out of it, buy a few physical copies, and the terrible management will continue.… Expand
  17. DavorAndjelic
    Oct 4, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I only like 3 songs, from the Album.

    (How You Like That, Ice Cream and Crazy Over You)

    Sadly, it doesn't deserve, the hype, it gets (in my opinion).    … Expand
  18. TheNewYorkArts
    Dec 10, 2020
    4
    BLACKPINK is quite a one-trick pony: booming basses, striking highs, and sweet mediums. this fiercely titled "The Album" record shows that sometimes, just because it works doesn't mean you should do it. the total lack of involvement in the composition of this album is worrying, to say the least, especially with such "personal" tracks as the painfully honest "You Never Know". there's aBLACKPINK is quite a one-trick pony: booming basses, striking highs, and sweet mediums. this fiercely titled "The Album" record shows that sometimes, just because it works doesn't mean you should do it. the total lack of involvement in the composition of this album is worrying, to say the least, especially with such "personal" tracks as the painfully honest "You Never Know". there's a clear doubt throughout the whole album: would this work if this wasn't BLACKPINK's?… Expand
  19. nihhxz
    Oct 29, 2020
    5
    O álbum dessas garotas tinha tudo para ser um dos melhores do ano, porém fracassou, as musicas possuem letras rasas e batidas descartadas de um álbum trap qualquer, ice cream um single feito com uma a-list conseguiu ser o maior fracasso do ano, espero que elas comessem a compor suas próprias músicas e que fassam mais no próximo álbum além de fazer musicas extremamente chatas eO álbum dessas garotas tinha tudo para ser um dos melhores do ano, porém fracassou, as musicas possuem letras rasas e batidas descartadas de um álbum trap qualquer, ice cream um single feito com uma a-list conseguiu ser o maior fracasso do ano, espero que elas comessem a compor suas próprias músicas e que fassam mais no próximo álbum além de fazer musicas extremamente chatas e adolescentes!… Expand
  20. normanfgabriel
    Oct 5, 2020
    6
    Um álbum muito neutro, as melodias são bonitinhas, nada muito criativo exceto por "how you like that", não me desagradou, de forma alguma, mas é raso
  21. Pranavlucas
    Oct 2, 2020
    5
    Crazy over you and you never know are the best tracks in this album and all songs are so catchy
  22. Gloriac
    Oct 4, 2020
    5
    Too short, it's enough that only eight songs are needed for the album to be considered a full, but the songs are really short too. Two songs were already released so it wasn't fresh to hear them, the title track also didn't feel fresh somehow. Hoping for a better album next time, one that let us appreciate the song before it ends.
  23. MacShine
    Oct 4, 2020
    6
    Material para os fãs. Depois de tanto tempo esperando, a sensação é de que poderia ter vindo mais, se comparar as faixas do mini album com outros trabalhos já lançados pelo grupo. Por várias vezes tive a impressão de já ter escutado a batida antes, até mesmo parte das letras .Não sei se isso tem relevância ou se é apenas por achar o som semelhante , talvez seja a linha de trabalho doMaterial para os fãs. Depois de tanto tempo esperando, a sensação é de que poderia ter vindo mais, se comparar as faixas do mini album com outros trabalhos já lançados pelo grupo. Por várias vezes tive a impressão de já ter escutado a batida antes, até mesmo parte das letras .Não sei se isso tem relevância ou se é apenas por achar o som semelhante , talvez seja a linha de trabalho do produtor das músicas, não sei. As meninas são talentosas sim, vocais são bons mas achei o trabalho um pop genérico e estridente demais.… Expand
  24. Daneenee
    Oct 5, 2020
    5
    Each track felt like it could have a music video and be a title track! Didn’t even feel the need to skip a song at all like I do with some other albums that’s how good it is for me! Definitely worth buying!
  25. AnaBDB
    Oct 5, 2020
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Perfeito, zero defeitos , entregaram tudo.
    Conceito, coesão e aclamação.
    Blackpink rainhas do Kpop.    … Expand
  26. Carooj12
    Oct 30, 2020
    5
    I was a bit disappointed because it's just more of the same. They didn't innovated, feels like an square up 2
  27. enifekitakit
    Nov 20, 2020
    6
    It feels like EP than full album, but lovesick girls is great and different than usual.
  28. mymelody
    Nov 25, 2020
    4
    This album was not that good to me. The title track, Lovesick Girls was not bad, however it didn’t fit in with the album at all. For most albums, the songs kind of go together, but it is totally different and only goes with Ice Cream, which was not a good song at all. The bsides sounded very rushed and you could tell they were fillers. I also feel like the album definitely could’ve hadThis album was not that good to me. The title track, Lovesick Girls was not bad, however it didn’t fit in with the album at all. For most albums, the songs kind of go together, but it is totally different and only goes with Ice Cream, which was not a good song at all. The bsides sounded very rushed and you could tell they were fillers. I also feel like the album definitely could’ve had more songs since they don’t release a lot of music and this was their first full album. I feel like YGE definitely does not put they’re all into these girls, there’s no reason they debuted in 2016 and just now is having their first full album, which only had 8 songs on it. I hope they will come out with better songs in the future (and get treated better.)… Expand
  29. yulady_22
    Sep 10, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Blackpink realmente es un grupo que podría lograr una innovación, pero este álbum sólo fue decepcionante, aunque creo que canciones como love sick girl y ice cream mejoraron el álbum, las otras canciones son como repeticiones o simplemente poco innovadoras… Expand
  30. cloud2
    Aug 16, 2022
    6
    The album has many strong points, such as the tracks featuring Selena Gomez and Cardi B, however some fall flat and appear uninspired.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Slant Magazine
    Oct 6, 2020
    60
    Crammed chockfull of crowd-pleasing EDM pyrotechnics and cheeky one-liners, The Album is undeniably a product of a well-oiled, state-of-the-art pop machine, but it feels stuck looking back to tried and true trends in both K-pop and Western pop music.
    Read full review
  2. Consequence
    Oct 5, 2020
    67
    The Album showcases their signature style of blending genres and influences to create songs that are just as classically pop as they are identifiably BLACKPINK.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Oct 5, 2020
    80
    Overflowing with confidence, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa conquer each track on The Album with their vocal ability (both singing and rapping) and effortless charm, switching up styles to offer something for every type of fan.
    Read full review
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