Care For Me
by Saba
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 131 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 139
  3. Negative: 3 out of 139
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  1. PuffFishTorch28
    Jul 3, 2018
    10
    I don't often give 10s, but this album earned it, standing out as one of the best releases this year. He touches on a wide range of meaningful and important subjects that are well blended together across the 10 tracks. The sounds are creamy, soulful, nostalgic, and at times dark. The range of vibes is eclectic without sounding all over the place. The lyrical work fits the production like aI don't often give 10s, but this album earned it, standing out as one of the best releases this year. He touches on a wide range of meaningful and important subjects that are well blended together across the 10 tracks. The sounds are creamy, soulful, nostalgic, and at times dark. The range of vibes is eclectic without sounding all over the place. The lyrical work fits the production like a glove and the engineering has been noticeably tailored to fit Saba's style and vocal mannerisms. The influences of his peers are noticeably present on this record at times, but they do not overpower his sound or identity as an artist. Daoud & daedaePIVOT's production combined with Saba's lyrical and stylistic prowess are a winning formula. I got goosebumps several times throughout the first listen and I still do whenever I turn on this project. 9.5/10… Expand
  2. bannigeri17
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    Beautiful production, amazing delivery, and doesn't feel overwhelming or overbearing despite the heavy subject matter, it's just stripped down to its roots in the realest way possible.
  3. Andremax
    Aug 9, 2018
    9
    Past and modernity compacts here through the blender of R&B, funk, jazz, electro and trap and a fistful of darkness sweetly fitted.
  4. PirateReviews
    Dec 5, 2018
    10
    Saba's sophomore album demonstrates his ability to convey his emotions through well-crafted music. "Care For Me" displays Saba's lyrical talent and ability over jazzy and dark instrumentals. The replay value of this album goes up as you play it more, and you feel as if you get to know more about Saba personally the more you pay attention to his bars. The attention to detail in hisSaba's sophomore album demonstrates his ability to convey his emotions through well-crafted music. "Care For Me" displays Saba's lyrical talent and ability over jazzy and dark instrumentals. The replay value of this album goes up as you play it more, and you feel as if you get to know more about Saba personally the more you pay attention to his bars. The attention to detail in his songwriting is incredible, and so are the beats produced by his close friends. This album is seriously under-appreciated. 96/100… Expand
  5. TheRealLegend
    Apr 4, 2019
    8
    Thaj Malik Chandler, better known as Saba, has released his new album “CARE FOR ME”. I was introduced to the Chicago rapper over the years through numerous features on notable records like “Everybody’s Something” on Acid Rap in 2013 & “Angels” off of Coloring Book in 2016 by Chance the Rapper. At this time around the same time Coloring Book had dropped in 2016, I had also started to watchThaj Malik Chandler, better known as Saba, has released his new album “CARE FOR ME”. I was introduced to the Chicago rapper over the years through numerous features on notable records like “Everybody’s Something” on Acid Rap in 2013 & “Angels” off of Coloring Book in 2016 by Chance the Rapper. At this time around the same time Coloring Book had dropped in 2016, I had also started to watch Gary Vaynerchuk’s videos on YouTube as well and Saba was included in some of his content. Saba’s name constantly being thrown out there in my sphere of influence gave me the inclination to listen to his 2016 album, Bucket List Project, which was phenomenal. So could Saba do it again on this one?

    In terms of quality yes. But in terms of the concept, it is so different, and that’s good. It is always a nice sight to see artists evolve as their lives do. From what I hear, Saba spent a huge swatch of 2017 isolated, shut off from social media and cut off from his friends. In this solitude, it seems it has resulted in an even more reflective, toned-down approach to his music. It appears that for Saba, it has been he, himself, him, and his other two producers, focused to create this fresh project. So, enough with the context, let us dive into this record.

    On “Busy”, Saba wastes no time to express how he is feeling. He is a musician of an applaudable stature, but he is still feeling anxiety about his relationships with other people, especially of the opposite sex. He reminiscences about the death of his best friend, Walter, and how he struggles to cope. Saba talks about he has outgrown his some past acquaintances. The second part of the song, “Sirens”, is an exciting change of pace that includes social commentary of the misconduct of our police officers.

    “Broken Girls” describes how toxic relationships can be addicting, but in the end, they are just instantly gratifying, not lasting. The production features down-trodden, winding chords. “Life” has an infectious bass and throughout the song Saba has like 5 flows and 5 different inflections of his voice. On “Calligraphy”, Saba tries to write away his problems, but knows he can’t. The outro on this track seems to be influenced by Kanye, which is fine.

    Saba’s storytelling is the selling point of this album. The music makes you feel like you’re actually in the situation he raps about. Everything else just supports it. Saba raps about how he engaged in fist fights with his friends as a youngin’, how his grandpa disapproved of his rapping career, and many other things. “Smile” is another song by a Chicago rapper talking about his family. The hook has this Caribbean feel about it. “Logout” has a stellar verse from Chance the Rapper & it’s how social media is just an escape, not an end all be all, making us insecure. The bad thing about this song is how short it is. On the other hand, maybe it ended abruptly because there just wasn’t any other place to take the song. The song "logged out" on us.

    “Grey” is a song about how In-N-Out & Five Guys makes the best burgers but everyone believes that McDonald’s makes the best burgers because they’re the most popular. This track is backed by neo-soul/jazzy production. The ending reminds me of something Kendrick would do on “To Pimp a Butterfly”. “PROM / KING” is the best song of this album. The language of this track is so descriptive, it’s like you’re there in Saba’s shoes. PROM is the story of his last year in high school culminating at Senior Prom. KING is the story of his short college career, the start of his new life with music, and how that all came to a stop when his best friend died. The album ends on a hopeful moment. It’s from the perspective of his friend, who is still here with us. He’s not here in the physical, but he’s here in the spiritual. This is “Heaven All Around Me”.

    Looking back over 2018 so far, this album is definitely my favorite album. The storytelling is captivating. The production sets a proper mood. Saba, lyrically has similes, metaphors, and double entendres up the wazoo. I barely have any gripes for this album. I recommend everybody to listen to this album. With every new album I hear by Saba, he continues to wow me with each one. With that, I’m feeling a decent to strong 8 out of 10 on this one.    … Expand
  6. Nucler1000
    Apr 17, 2018
    9
    This album is incredible. It's heartfelt, personal and touches on a lot of important topics in very endearing ways. Flow, production, lyricism and content are all top notch. Care For Me is deep and requires multiple listens. Each listen will have you picking up even more details about Saba and his experiences. Or even some small details on how the album is sequenced and overall putThis album is incredible. It's heartfelt, personal and touches on a lot of important topics in very endearing ways. Flow, production, lyricism and content are all top notch. Care For Me is deep and requires multiple listens. Each listen will have you picking up even more details about Saba and his experiences. Or even some small details on how the album is sequenced and overall put together.

    It's a low mood tape, but not in a superficial "feel sorry for me" way. You can tell this was therapy for Saba. By him being so honest, you as the listener connect with the tape even more.

    9/10. A Special Album.    … Expand
  7. draediamond
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    Best album of 2018 (so far)? Probably. This is a classic and if he was more popular, it would be recognized as such. Saba took jazz rap to a whole different level ob this project and used every second on this album to create a blissful and euphoric sound. Incredible!
  8. fahy
    Apr 14, 2018
    8
    Yay for sad rap! Saba has a real gift for storytelling. Favs: LOGOUT, BROKEN GIRLS, & PROM / KING
  9. fwtll636
    May 31, 2018
    7
    Saba has made a heartfelt rap record without sounding petulant. His stories are real and well thought-out. Badgering this release, however, are the songs without any personality or memorability.
  10. VikVaughn
    Nov 1, 2018
    9
    Care for Me is an outstanding album. It's a very emotional album from a grieving artist and his storytelling makes it feel brutally real and honest throughout. It also flows really well, the production is top notch and seems to fit Saba's smooth delivery perfectly. He switches up his flow and delivery at times but the overall sound and feel of the album remain consistent and the productionCare for Me is an outstanding album. It's a very emotional album from a grieving artist and his storytelling makes it feel brutally real and honest throughout. It also flows really well, the production is top notch and seems to fit Saba's smooth delivery perfectly. He switches up his flow and delivery at times but the overall sound and feel of the album remain consistent and the production seems to be moulded to his vocals. Somehow, it sounds relaxing and easy to listen to despite the heavy lyrics and subject matter.
    There is a lot of talent coming out of Chicago at the moment - Noname, Chance, Mick Jenkins etc. Noname dropped her debut this year which obviously gained the most attention and it deserved the attention, but Care for me stands out as the most coherent out of that group and is one of the albums of the year in my opinion.    … Expand
  11. myboi123
    Jan 3, 2019
    9
    i checked this album out because everyone was telling me its so good and yes it is really good
  12. NoMoreParties
    Jul 5, 2019
    9
    Amazing album, does everything right opening with busy sirens and continuing with the same mood up until Prom King which is the best story telling song of 2018. Amazing listen.
  13. realcolafella
    Mar 27, 2020
    8
    ‘CARE FOR ME’ is a great album influenced by the death of Saba’s cousin, DinnerWithJohn. It’s personal and shows his growth as a rapper. Standouts include “PROM/KING,” “HEAVEN ALL AROUND ME,” and “GREY.” It’s consistent and one of the stronger albums I’ve heard that released in 2018.
  14. Hello559
    Nov 23, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Every time I listen to this album I have to listen to it from beginning to end.… Expand
  15. jimmybob7172
    Nov 7, 2021
    10
    This album is nothing short of an immersive, sonic, masterpiece. This whole album feels like a captivating black and white movie about Saba's experience with his adolescence. The production complements the lyrics beautifully. The riveting storytelling captures the astonishing imagery of his experience with his adolescence, struggles, and experience with violence. The 10 tracks on thisThis album is nothing short of an immersive, sonic, masterpiece. This whole album feels like a captivating black and white movie about Saba's experience with his adolescence. The production complements the lyrics beautifully. The riveting storytelling captures the astonishing imagery of his experience with his adolescence, struggles, and experience with violence. The 10 tracks on this album fit together perfectly. This album is a classic - as simple as that.… Expand
  16. LukeNoctor
    Feb 13, 2020
    9
    This album was a major improvement from his debut which I have recently heard. This album has so many chill yet powerful instrumentals along with choruses divides up by really lyrical and substantive stories that Saba tells. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Saba’s future projects now.
  17. Sean_
    Apr 26, 2020
    10
    Outstanding album. I don’t give 10s to anything very easily but this deserved it without a doubt. Everything about it is brilliantly put together and it even got me a bit teary eyed after the final song.
  18. Oldschoolgg
    Jun 6, 2020
    10
    Saba keeps you entertained with a short and sweet 10 song album, it is an amazing listen that is nothing short of breathtaking. From BUSY / SIRENS to HEAVEN ALL AROUND ME not a single second is wasted. The beat switches in songs like FIGHTER and BUSY / SIRENS are mind blowing. The songwriting in this album is detailed, you can vividly imagine in your head what he is saying throughout theSaba keeps you entertained with a short and sweet 10 song album, it is an amazing listen that is nothing short of breathtaking. From BUSY / SIRENS to HEAVEN ALL AROUND ME not a single second is wasted. The beat switches in songs like FIGHTER and BUSY / SIRENS are mind blowing. The songwriting in this album is detailed, you can vividly imagine in your head what he is saying throughout the album and especially in the song PROM / KING. This is one of the most beautiful works of art I’ve heard in a long time. Truly amazing listen.… Expand
  19. tylzn
    Nov 29, 2020
    10
    Saba meshes the perfect amount of story telling, lyricism, and flow to create a masterpiece focused around mourning following the death of his cousin.
  20. A-Z
    Feb 21, 2022
    9
    This Album is beautiful. Saba has a very nice voice, he flows across these chill beats so well. The story behind Walts death is also very gut wrenching.

    The album isnt really a casual listen to me except for some songs, but I think it wasnt intended to be and another thing I really like about this is his ability to perfectly blend singing and rapping into a song. Production is also    This Album is beautiful. Saba has a very nice voice, he flows across these chill beats so well. The story behind Walts death is also very gut wrenching.

    The album isnt really a casual listen to me except for some songs, but I think it wasnt intended to be and another thing I really like about this is his ability to perfectly blend singing and rapping into a song. Production is also great I love little details in songs like the bass increasing in speed on PROM when he raps that his heart is racing.

    Highlights: BUSY/SIRENS, CALLIGRAPHY, SMILE, PROM/KING and HEAVEN ALL AROUND ME    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    Nov 26, 2018
    90
    The album doesn't seek any big answers to make sense of a pointless death, but profoundly chronicles Saba's jagged path through the heartache as life continues.
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  2. Pitchfork
    Apr 12, 2018
    87
    Each note and phrase on the album is colored to depict this struggle. The instrumentation is bracing, almost as if played live for a crowd, but it has the intimate tenor and tone of Saba recording the entire thing alone in his basement.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    Apr 12, 2018
    91
    It’s a grief we hope to avoid and yet a grief we can’t help tasting. Saba makes it near impossible to turn away.
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