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For All We Know Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 63 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the London singer-songwriter features influences R&B and electronic music.
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Top Track

Bad Blood
You're a holiday A glass of ocean slipping down my throat And landed on my hopes, I'm dreaming Of the maps no hidden grids, I'm fleeing I worship you... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Jul 27, 2016
    90
    The experiences feel lived and the emotional crescendos genuine, but the inferred vagueness of the title belies the certainty at its core: For All We Know is a masterwork.
  2. 80
    For All We Know is among the most impressive debut albums we’ve heard in 2016, and heralds the arrival of Nao as a unique and fascinating figure on the R&B landscape.
  3. Jul 26, 2016
    80
    The only real criticism is that, in trying to present all of her sides, Nao hasn’t been ruthless enough in the cutting room. At eighteen tracks, For All We Know feels its length but, to be fair, it’s hard to suggest what to trim.
  4. Nao’s real flair, though, lies in embracing the old school and making it seem fresh. ‘Get To Know Ya’ and ‘DYWM’ both re-rub late ’80s soul and push it firmly into 2016 with crisp production and an effortless dancefloor feeling. More proof, if it were needed, that Nao--and her odd but addictive vocal--belongs up front.
  5. Q Magazine
    Sep 6, 2016
    80
    The songs are low-key, personal tales with quiet hooks, grabbing what energy they can from the production's sudden lurches. [Oct 2016, p.109]
  6. Jul 25, 2016
    75
    Throughout For All We Know, her vocals display her adventurous spirit, the mixture of electronic and acoustic instrumentation developing into a funky blend.
  7. Jul 25, 2016
    60
    For All We Know could make a stronger statement, but that doesn’t change the fact that Nao’s voice is one of the most exciting--and fun to listen to--in modern R&B.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Oct 3, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best releases of 2016 so far. I listened the whole album 4 times in the first day! The R&B is amazing with some retroThis is one of the best releases of 2016 so far. I listened the whole album 4 times in the first day! The R&B is amazing with some retro beats, an awesome voice and great lyrics. Collapse Expand
  2. Oct 5, 2016
    10
    striking voice manages to keep you going to enjoy the brilliant production this great album has to offer, striking voice manages to keep youstriking voice manages to keep you going to enjoy the brilliant production this great album has to offer, striking voice manages to keep you going to enjoy the brilliant production this great album has to offer. Expand
  3. Oct 3, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best releases of 2016 so far. I listened the whole album 4 times in the first day! The R&B is amazing with some retroThis is one of the best releases of 2016 so far. I listened the whole album 4 times in the first day! The R&B is amazing with some retro beats, an awesome voice and great lyrics. Expand
  4. Jul 29, 2016
    9
    Despite being inserted in a really buzzed genre in current popular music, NAO has a different take on modern R&B. She put her soul on it.Despite being inserted in a really buzzed genre in current popular music, NAO has a different take on modern R&B. She put her soul on it. Great voice, great concepts. She's wonderful. Expand
  5. Nov 21, 2016
    8
    Pretty solid R&B album from Nao. She has a great voice, and the production is colorful and lively for the most part. My main complaint aboutPretty solid R&B album from Nao. She has a great voice, and the production is colorful and lively for the most part. My main complaint about this album is that the album does have fillers such as DYWM, Give me a little, and Blue Wine, which comes off weak when compared to the other songs. However, this is still a solid album, and I'm looking forward to the next project. Expand
  6. Jan 18, 2023
    6
    Interesting R&B project which benefits from top notch production, impressive and subtle vocals and poetic writing. It is soft, dancing andInteresting R&B project which benefits from top notch production, impressive and subtle vocals and poetic writing. It is soft, dancing and sweet all along.
    Unfortunately for me the wow effect didn't last and even left more room to observe the overwhelming length of the project. There is something deeply repetitive about these tracks, and there is something so unrealistic about the tone of Nao's voice that it keeps us at a challenging distance. Also the rhythms are quite conventional, and there is few place for surprise or high thrills. I was left with the disturbing feeling that numerous notable tracks didn't add much in fact to the whole project.
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  7. Jul 31, 2016
    6
    just listened to the whole album and the impression i was left with was a limited voice carried by the sometimes clever production. I can'tjust listened to the whole album and the impression i was left with was a limited voice carried by the sometimes clever production. I can't see myself returning to listening to this, her voice just started to grate.

    Janet Jackson's last longplayer did this much better.
    Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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