Blue Water Road
by Kehlani
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Apr 29, 2022
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Apr 28, 2022
    90
    The production on the album is very lowkey, allowing for Kehlani’s extraordinary vocals and vivid lyricism to take centre stage.
  2. AllMusic
    May 12, 2022
    80
    The resulting Blue Water Road is undeniably lighter and less fraught than the singer's previous LP -- and not without grief and tension -- and also has a continuity justifying the decision to stay on a forward course.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    May 2, 2022
    80
    Though not as affecting as the original, if we’re talking about club bangers, Kehlani makes it their own.
  5. The Telegraph (UK)
    Apr 29, 2022
    80
    At its best, it’s like a movie soundtrack. String interludes behave like camera pans between scenes; fuzzy production gives everything a dream-like quality.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 29, 2022
    80
    Towards ‘Blue Water Road’’s conclusion, things start to drift a little, ‘Everything’ feeling longer than its three-minute-27-second runtime and the Thundercat and Ambre-starring ‘Wondering/Wandering’ not quite landing as memorably as you’d hope. For the most part, though, this album finds Kehlani in spectacular form – softer, stronger and better than ever.
  7. Clash Music
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    Kehlani can still be thorny and tempestuous but they’ve also never been more holistic and soulful than on ‘Blue Water Road’.
  8. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    The 13 songs on Blue Water Road roll out in warm, slow-rolling waves of sensuous R&B.
  9. The New York Times
    Apr 28, 2022
    80
    “Blue Water Road” instead radiates delicate warmth. In a creamy, full-throated voice, Kehlani exudes a tenderness not felt since their 2017 studio album, “SweetSexySavage.” ... But it’s Kehlani’s candid ruminations on queer desire and estrangement that resonate the deepest here.
  10. Pitchfork
    May 4, 2022
    79
    blue water road is Kehlani’s most mature album, as well as their most musically and thematically challenging.
  11. HipHopDX
    May 12, 2022
    76
    What emerges is something that treads into uncharted waters and even if it isn’t fully understood yet, it can at times be quite a spectacle.
  12. Entertainment Weekly
    May 2, 2022
    75
    Most songs on the brisk 37-minute LP unfold like a breezy coastal drive — you can practically feel the beachy wind in your hair and hear the lulling tides lapping at the shore, waiting to pull you in. This is vibe music. But more upbeat cuts like "Any Given Sunday," featuring blxst, and the Justin Bieber duet "Up At Night" offer more of a jolt.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best Album of 2022
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 242 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 212 out of 242
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 242
  3. Negative: 25 out of 242
  1. Criticalmusical
    Apr 29, 2022
    10
    Masterpiece to my ears. Thank you, Kehlani! The depth of every song so personal and relatable. I can’t stop replaying the tender, lovingMasterpiece to my ears. Thank you, Kehlani! The depth of every song so personal and relatable. I can’t stop replaying the tender, loving rhythms of ‘Melt’ and the cool, breezy fluidity of ‘Altar’ to name a couple. Your growth as an artist is mesmerizing.… Full Review »
  2. ranagialla
    Apr 30, 2022
    10
    The album is beautiful, each song shows Kehlani's growth and the production is amazing
  3. LISOCHIKOTOSA
    Dec 14, 2022
    10
    This album is gorgeous. The writing, production and singing is all the way up there. I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did. IThis album is gorgeous. The writing, production and singing is all the way up there. I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did. I especially love the opening track, little story. Songs such as any given sunday, wish i never, up at night, altar and tangerine are really great. Not to forget the really introspective album closer wondering/wandering. Just a great blend of pop and R&B… Full Review »
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