Donda
by Kanye West
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
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  1. Slant Magazine
    Sep 1, 2021
    80
    With Donda, he’s crafted his most unforgiving self-portrait yet, one that, like the best works that plumb a person’s inner depths, winds up reflecting our collective imperfections.
  2. Variety
    Aug 30, 2021
    75
    On a purely musical level, “Donda” is close to unassailable; any time spent tarrying on its release has been time well-wasted. It’d be hard to contend that an album that lasts nearly two hours exactly flies by, but until it gets to those last four completely superfluous remixes, it’s a collection that never comes close to wearing out its welcome, alternating the brooding and the banging with a well-honed sense of dynamics.
  3. Consequence
    Aug 30, 2021
    75
    Donda is Kanye West’s best album since 2013’s Yeezus. Those who stuck with him through thick and thin will love it, while the rest of us can safely dip our toes back in the water.
  5. Exclaim
    Aug 30, 2021
    70
    Though its creation process was an overarching performative event in itself, Ye still managed to (for the most part) control his narrative, and deliver his best body of work in recent memory. It's just hard not to think that some trimming and sequencing tweaks could have made this LP that much greater and his message that much more poignant.
  6. HipHopDX
    Sep 2, 2021
    62
    There are times where Kanye recaptures the magic of his golden years. ... But there just isn’t enough good here to look past the flaws. The final result is a collection of songs with little binding energy other than a vague Gospel through line, which runs across the tracklist — chaotic like The Life Of Pablo but devoid of the magic.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,070 out of 3155
  2. Mixed: 161 out of 3155
  3. Negative: 924 out of 3155
  1. Camsteve
    Jul 23, 2021
    10
    Insanely good music. Kanye West is GOAT. The sky is blue. Every song is at least an 8.5 (with 5 of them 10 imo). His best album i dare say,Insanely good music. Kanye West is GOAT. The sky is blue. Every song is at least an 8.5 (with 5 of them 10 imo). His best album i dare say, even better than MBDTF. When people listen to it they’ll go mad, great features who all do equally well and sing sick verses/lyrics. Kanye West is a genius, he creates beautiful songs that blend in well and transition into one another, compelling storytelling, the type that hooks a listener and makes them not get old of it, The best song is 100% Kanye West’s best song OAT (bold statement i know) I’d say they’re all in his top 30, a few in his top 10 and 5.
    999999999/10    … Full Review »
  2. zakolisty
    Aug 29, 2021
    9
    great rollout and you can see how he was making this album better from listening party to release, i think it's not half done and long songgreat rollout and you can see how he was making this album better from listening party to release, i think it's not half done and long song endings are just ye thing. you can feel how your feelings change through listening… Full Review »
  3. thefarmweasel
    Aug 29, 2021
    3
    This is just a bit rubbish in all honesty. i could accept this drivell if it revolutionised music in any way shape or form. Unfortunatley thisThis is just a bit rubbish in all honesty. i could accept this drivell if it revolutionised music in any way shape or form. Unfortunatley this ablum, though quirky, is no revolution 9. it's just a lazy cash grab that only fails to enforce the edgy character that kanye trys to push.… Full Review »
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