• Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 20, 2007
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. For the most part, Stone employs her remarkable instrument with focus and nuance on Introducing, and the result is an album full of solid pop-wise R&B.
  2. For all her undoubted talent - and only the unreasonably churlish would deny she can sing up a storm - she now seems trapped awkwardly between two diametrically opposing cultures.
  3. Blender
    60
    There's nothing remotely original about any of it. [Apr 2007, p.111]
  4. In buying in so emphatically into a US pop/soul template, Stone has effectively erased what made her so intriguing in the first place.
  5. She has talent to burn, but rather than challenge herself, Stone has chosen to throw herself on a multi-million dollar bullet train to the centre of mediocrity.
  6. Uncut
    60
    The over-shiny, repetitive beats and the carefree, happy-skippy persona soon palls. [Apr 2007, p.120]
  7. With the fast-maturing Stone gaining greater control of her powerful pipes and a recent breakup adding to the underlying sexual tension while stoking the creative fire, the craftily reconstituted 70s R&B concept works exceptionally well.
  8. If not a beginning to end classic album, it's full of potential classic tracks.
  9. The sonic texture is compelling, yet few tracks have melodies that stick; these are more grooves than songs.
  10. The record is low on saccharine balladry, high on rhythm protein.
  11. It's the rare album that values vocal talent and production prowess with equal measure—and, for the most part, it succeeds.
  12. Her makeover seems too urban for her Starbucks-mom base and too retro for urban radio. [19 Mar 2007]
  13. Billboard
    80
    Saadiq's production is brimming with horns and seriously in-the-pocket rhythm sections, but there are also enough hip-hop touches and contemporary arrangements to keep the tracks in the now. [24 Mar 2007]
  14. This introduction isn't all that different than her debut, since it still presents a promising vocalist instead of a vocalist who's fulfilled her promise.
  15. While there are a couple of moments of over-singing and vocal affectation, Introducing Joss Stone is a dramatic leap forward creatively, without straying too far from the sound that made Stone famous.
  16. Introducing Joss Stone has the sound of an artist who is beginning to go places, not of one coming from somewhere or standing still.
  17. At times... "Introducing" sounds like the long-sought missing link between neo-soul and future-soul.... When "Introducing" falters, however, it's done in by the twin killers of modern soul: too much sex, not enough melody.
  18. Q Magazine
    60
    These songs are insufficiently distinctive and there is a surfeit of ballast in need of jettisoning. [Apr 2007, p.108]
  19. The fit is often clumsy, over-laden with strings, backing voices and metronomic beats, but there are enough stand-outs to keep our Joss in airplay.
  20. It’s a shame that Stone and Saadiq fall for the name-dropping approach to making records; inserted like ad-breaks, the guests are easily the worst thing on the album, giving a strong whiff of one of those horrible kitchen-sink-and-rolodex stinkers in the middle of a really very good, if conservative, soul record.
  21. Mojo
    80
    [Introducing] contains her best songs and most relaxed, assured performances. [May 2007, p.112]
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 39
  2. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Joss Stone's voice is breathtaking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  2. Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Joss Stone most personal album yet is also one of her best work, I love her voice so much
  3. Nov 24, 2021
    10
    Joss Stone's most personal album yet, she does an amazing job here and her voice is still marvelous