Compton
by Dr. Dre
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Aug 17, 2015
    60
    Compton itself is a part of this little something too, because even though it fails to make a clear artistic statement, it houses some of the finest hip-hop production Dre has turned in for years, and proves that the city has much more going for it than just a bad reputation.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 11, 2015
    60
    The Chronic and 2001 were simply collections of great songs and the order didn't matter much; Compton, conversely, is one giant song presented as a specifically sequenced album. While it succeeds as such--a lush, expensive-sounding art rap song-cycle--it fits the Doctor about as well as a baggy t-shirt. Dre makes great songs, not great albums.
  3. The Quietus
    Aug 10, 2015
    50
    As Compton progresses, it rarely seems to shift out of second gear, evidently favouring laid back grooves and sparse production over aggressive break beats and G-Funk swagger. All the while an almost listless lyrical style on occasion provides a narrative, or lack thereof.... Cynicism aside, there are moments of brilliance here.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2015
27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2015
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 237 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 275
  3. Negative: 17 out of 275
  1. Abomb312
    Aug 7, 2015
    10
    amazing project solid beats and raw rapping all comes together to make one of the best albums in a minute Dre has mastered the sound of everyamazing project solid beats and raw rapping all comes together to make one of the best albums in a minute Dre has mastered the sound of every generation a album filled with new talent and old the perfect blend of old school and new school Kendrick Lamar and Eminem deliver two of the best verses on the album solute DR D.R.E!… Full Review »
  2. milomakromallis
    Aug 8, 2015
    3
    A mediocre project that warrants few listens to accomplish full understanding. Dr. Dre is, as always, a moral blank who’s hardest efforts haveA mediocre project that warrants few listens to accomplish full understanding. Dr. Dre is, as always, a moral blank who’s hardest efforts have forever created half decent projects with abhorrent lyrics; is back at it with a plucky list of guest stars who provide abysmal verse after abysmal verse. More so then anything, is how boring there contributions are, even Rap’s number one MC, Kendrick Lamar turns in his usual level verse making it interchangeable with many features of late. Its unbelievably uninspired considering his recent hot streak. Other A-lister Eminem continues his slow toilet flush of a descent with a tepid verse containing a rape line beyond desperate. The best production clearly comes from the hired help who obviously provide the meat to the beats whilst Dre slaps his name on to attain some credit he will not get with rapping. A poor project that sits nicely with Dr.Dre’s past abortions.… Full Review »
  3. Kano1999
    Aug 8, 2015
    6
    Much has been said about the 16 years since Dre's last album. So far, nothing has been said about his age. Andre Young is fifty years old. HeMuch has been said about the 16 years since Dre's last album. So far, nothing has been said about his age. Andre Young is fifty years old. He has apparently agonised over this record for years. For some time it became little more than a rumour, a figment of hip-hop's imagination, a dying wish from a lost age of rap. And then, all of a sudden it appears when least expected.

    Whatever form it took through the years, the finished product is sorely lacking. It sounds like exactly what it is; a middle-aged mans version of what he believes rap should sound like today; the disappointing thing being, it fits in alongside so many other uninspiring, bland releases from similar artists today. Where once Dre was a leader, an artist who could sculpt new classics out of old, those edges have been dulled and there is very little to get excited about on his last album release. He criticised 'Detox' as an album he didn't think lived up to his own expectations and as the creator, he owns the right to that criticism. But there was clarity in some of that work because he was still submerged within the industry enough to understand the standards that met the bar he had raised in the past.

    On 'Compton' he hits the sweetest spot with 'Genocide', a raw, abstract, hard hitting beat torn up by Kendrick, followed by 'It's All On Me' which hints at glories of old and then the soulful 'All In A Day's Work', led by honest vocals of Anderson. Mostly the album sounds nondescript, indistinctive, just like a musician who has been concentrating on several other projects outside of the music world for the best part of a decade and a half. Dre's lyrics speak of being done with the game, the weight of expectation hanging on his shoulders. A decade ago, maybe. In 2015, not so much. People gave up waiting and the scene evolved, for better or for worse. Dre's music is no longer a torch bearer inside the game, his name speaks of stone cold classics from the past, not of a man forging a way forward. That remains in the hands of the next generation as always. Ask a midteen about him and you'll be pointed back to his collaborations with Snoop.

    Sales of the album will be interesting to watch. After so long away the best thing to do would've been to remain prominent in the business world, rather than stepping back in time and falling into a bland middle ground. 'Compton' isn't a bad record, nor is it a good one. It just lingers in the worst kind of middle-ground unbefitting of a legend like Dr Dre. There will be a lot of hype and excitement surrounding this album as always on the net but once the dust settles and it fails to peak the imagination of the masses, it will go down as the weakest and most unimaginative of his releases.    … Full Review »
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