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"Awaken, My Love!"
by
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 448 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the hip hop artist/actor Donald Glover features influences of funk and soul music.
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Top Track

Redbone
Daylight I wake up feeling like you won't play right I used to know, but now that shit don't feel right It made me put away my pride So long You made... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The A.V. Club
    Dec 2, 2016
    91
    He is Donald Glover, a man who can perform and write comedy, act in drama, and drop a truly wonderful album on short notice with all the influences and instructions spelled out.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Dec 14, 2016
    85
    The result is an earthy, positive album that buzzes with authenticity and pride.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Dec 2, 2016
    80
    Colourful, brilliantly messy, and a fully committed hodge-podge of psych and spacecake croons, ‘Awaken, My Love!’ is unlikely to shed further light on exactly what Childish Gambino is at heart, but by now, Glover’s erratic approach is surely part of his central appeal.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Dec 15, 2016
    80
    Glover is an artist who often pushes himself into new mediums and now new styles of music. While a further development of the concepts on Because The Internet could have seen an interesting continuation on the hip-hop arc of Childish Gambino, Glover instead introduced a new element.
  5. Pitchfork
    Dec 6, 2016
    72
    There are times, however, when that nodding feels more like mimicry than anything else. Maybe he’ll figure out how to smuggle Donald Glover’s heart into Childish Gambino’s brain eventually, but if he hasn’t figured out what he wants out of Childish Gambino yet, it’s increasingly rewarding watching him try.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Dec 2, 2016
    70
    While the rest of the album, produced by longtime collaborator Ludwig Göransson, doesn't quite equal that sensational single, it's still an inspired detour from a multi-talented hyphenate who has already dazzled us this fall with his critically acclaimed comedy-drama, Atlanta.
  7. Pretty Much Amazing
    Dec 2, 2016
    58
    It’s simultaneously daunting, exhausting, terrifying, all at the same time. It’s all a lot to take in, with not a whole lot of the Gambino we are familiar with to help wash it down.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 61
  3. Negative: 4 out of 61
  1. myfaultstudios
    Apr 16, 2017
    10
    Gambino has made some great hip hop but this is unlike anything I've heard before. RNB? Soul? All I know is that it is an incredible grower. IGambino has made some great hip hop but this is unlike anything I've heard before. RNB? Soul? All I know is that it is an incredible grower. I appreciate albums that I can listen to from beginning to end.… Expand
  2. marshall_nazari
    Feb 16, 2017
    10
    Donald Glover has poured his emotions into his latest album. The tracks read like a collection of short stories, bleeding togetherDonald Glover has poured his emotions into his latest album. The tracks read like a collection of short stories, bleeding together effortlessly through the underlying beats and melody. Whether you're listening track #6, "Redbone" which is born from Glover's effortless flow, or track #9 "Baby Boy" with a melancholy edge to it, this organic piece of oral poetry is flawless. Although it takes some time to get into due to the rawness of its content, "Awaken, My Love!" is without a doubt one of the most underrated gems of the past year.… Expand
  4. HugoPavi
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    Objectively the best thing Gambino has ever done. If you were expecting a rap album you will be sorely disappointed, but what we got is evenObjectively the best thing Gambino has ever done. If you were expecting a rap album you will be sorely disappointed, but what we got is even better: an operatic album full of psychedelic soul, rock, and funk that is always engaging and interesting throughout its 49 minutes. Comparisons to Funkadelic's Maggot Brain will be made, but I wouldn't call it a rip-off so much as it is an homage to the sound of that era that updates it for modern times. If you are open-minded and have good taste, I can't imagine how you could dislike this album, it's simply great music and an awesome sonic experience!… Expand
  5. C_dot
    Dec 3, 2018
    9
    Donald Glover steps away from being a rap star to take a risk and release a soulful project. The production is top tier, and Glover reinventsDonald Glover steps away from being a rap star to take a risk and release a soulful project. The production is top tier, and Glover reinvents himself and maintains a unique sound.… Expand
  6. CordRafael
    Feb 17, 2022
    8
    so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil so p deixar no perfil
  7. Nardeen
    Mar 11, 2017
    8
    This is by far one of if not the best Gambino album yet, his vocals are insane, songs I wouldn't usually like California I am in love with andThis is by far one of if not the best Gambino album yet, his vocals are insane, songs I wouldn't usually like California I am in love with and just the amount of effort put into this is amazing. However, the reason this album doesn't get a higher rating is because a lot of the songs seem to be fillers to makes the album last longer.… Expand
  8. johncolosium
    Dec 3, 2016
    0
    I hope some bars in this album but hell no, WTF is this album? Even his singing is bad, why the hell people can love this trash? JustI hope some bars in this album but hell no, WTF is this album? Even his singing is bad, why the hell people can love this trash? Just disappointed of this album.

    Looking for J. Cole's album next week...    … Expand

See all 61 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Most Discussed Album of 2016
29
#29 Most Shared Album of 2016

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