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Goldenheart Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release from the former Danity Kane/Diddy Dirty Money singer was produced by Andrew "Druski" Scott, The Fisticuffs, and Deonte. It is the first of a planned trilogy of albums about love, loss, and redemption.
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Top Track

Ode To You
(Verse) I made mistakes, made some wrong turns Had some fuckups, too many – far as I’m concerned Maybe I held on when I should’ve let go But... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Jan 17, 2013
    100
    Goldenheart is dazzling and imperious.
  2. Jan 25, 2013
    90
    Complete and correct, Goldenheart is a triumph.
  3. Feb 12, 2013
    90
    It's ambitious, personal, unusual and, crucially, touched with brilliance.
  4. Jan 17, 2013
    80
    Yet even minus narrative detail or plot points, one surrenders to the logic of Richard's world, thanks to the modernist sheen holding the entire suite-like venture together, a voracious and melodic urban contemporary sound referencing 1980s pop as much as house or electro.
  5. Jan 23, 2013
    73
    It's not perfect, but it's closer than you'd expect from someone who just a few years ago was a member of a C-list girl group.
  6. Jan 30, 2013
    60
    Goldenheart functions as a hypnotic aural distraction, but little more.
  7. Jan 28, 2013
    50
    The results have been slow and messy and atmospheric, full of contemporary R&B's customary ingredients (virtual strings, AutoTune, gold-plated emotion) but stretched out, heavy on atmosphere, light on hooks.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Duu
    Feb 4, 2013
    9
    This album sounds like it was relentlessly crafted to be an ahead of it's time classic. There is not one bad song on this album, and there areThis album sounds like it was relentlessly crafted to be an ahead of it's time classic. There is not one bad song on this album, and there are no fewer than eight undeniably good songs on this album (which ones they are is debatable). I have never heard as much soul in electronic album as this one has. This album is rather unique in that it seamlessly combines an afro-american musical ethos and style organically with a contemporary artsy-electronic music, in a way that no electronic music featuring afro-american performers has done yet. Dawn Richard is a terrific singer and adds musical value to every track in spite of there being some really good beats on the album. Instead of pandering to the lowest common denominator, this is a concept album in the classic sense, rather than a mere collection of songs (thematically consistent). I like that the songs are not all party songs, but they make you want to dance. Anyway, this is the best album of this year so far and, sonically, an excellent step up from the sounds originally introduced on the 2010 album, "Last Train to Paris", by Diddy and Dirty Money (the group which Dawn was in). Expand
  2. Feb 16, 2013
    8
    Definitely innovative and original...80's pop meets future R&B...from the production, vocals and concept to the song selections...distinct andDefinitely innovative and original...80's pop meets future R&B...from the production, vocals and concept to the song selections...distinct and raw #HeartMovement Expand
  3. Jan 22, 2013
    8
    Higher highs and lower lows than Armor On (EP), but when it's good it's brilliant. The best songs are the ones that stick to vibe, and don'tHigher highs and lower lows than Armor On (EP), but when it's good it's brilliant. The best songs are the ones that stick to vibe, and don't drift into ideas or genres. Like it. Expand
  4. Feb 16, 2013
    6
    I hear a lot of potential here. The production, themes and vocals are spectacular but the lyrics, melodies and overall delivery needs to be worked on.