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Lianne La Havas
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Lianne La Havas Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the British singer-songwriter was produced with Matt Hales, Beni Giles, and Mura Masa.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. musicOMH.com
    Jul 16, 2020
    100
    In short, every song is an earworm, and Lianne La Havas’ third album is haunting in the way only inspiring music can claim to be; a beautiful ghost to soundtrack your life to. ... Truly captivating.
  2. Under The Radar
    Jul 16, 2020
    85
    The album takes La Havas’ struggles and losses and turns them into a display of the most true version of herself and her artistic vision. Yet she does so with such comforting ease and easygoing style that it is immediately accessible to even new listeners. In creating a record that is so unabashedly true to herself La Havas delivers her best work yet
  3. Mojo
    Jul 13, 2020
    80
    The more elemental moments - Sour Flower's mournful rustle of handclaps, cymbals and Fender Rhodes, or the intimate, guitar-led Green Papaya and Can't fight - are understated, introspective and more powerful. [Aug 2020, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. PopMatters
    Jul 13, 2020
    80
    "Bittersweet" sets the theme of the album. The lyrics are matched by the music: sophisticated, stylish, and intimate. Even when La Havas raises her voice, she restrains herself from taking things to extremes. There is something smooth, soft, and refined about the material. It's tasteful without being slick.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Jul 16, 2020
    80
    ‘LLH’ finds its strengths in restraint and the spirit that flits between musicians in the live setting. Her most satisfying and complete work to date.
  6. The New York Times
    Jul 21, 2020
    80
    The songs illuminate passion, impulsiveness, ambivalence and uncertainty, yet the structures La Havas created are lucid and poised. While matters of the heart may be out of control, her fingers and voice are impeccable.
  7. Q Magazine
    Jul 13, 2020
    60
    There's a wobbly quality to La Havas's toplines that means they can get lost in the more densely instrumented tracks, yet the sparser finger-picked guitar numbers give her songwriting space to shine. [Aug 2020, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Loonatheworld
    Jul 20, 2020
    10
    BEST R&B album that I've ever listened in this year. This soulful voice that makes you feel enchanted.
  2. petcheeta
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Every single person on this planet should take a minute just to appreciate how beautiful and soulful this project is. Lianne La Havas showedEvery single person on this planet should take a minute just to appreciate how beautiful and soulful this project is. Lianne La Havas showed growth and nothing more than a bless for this terrible year that we are going through... (Fav tracks: Paper Things, Bittersweet, Weird Fishes and Sour Flower)… Expand
  4. momentmusical
    Aug 4, 2020
    10
    Lianne's newest album is a true success. Her first person narrative of a relationship gone sour is a triumph for the art of the full album.Lianne's newest album is a true success. Her first person narrative of a relationship gone sour is a triumph for the art of the full album. Her songwriting and vocals shine vibrantly, and her extremely capable guitar playing supports throughout. I look forward to having this album to rely on during my next breakup.… Expand
  5. DanielPerez
    Nov 30, 2021
    10
    If I had 48 minutes and 6 second left to live, I would listen to this album one more time. Thank you Lianne La Havas for creating perfection
  6. tobey1234576
    Jul 18, 2020
    10
    Masterpiece. Soulful, angelic vocals that normally possess a Lianne La Havas album but this album tells a strong story which never was thereMasterpiece. Soulful, angelic vocals that normally possess a Lianne La Havas album but this album tells a strong story which never was there in her other albums. Instead of a collection of showstopping singles like Blood, this self-titled album uses her experiences in a linear experience and encapsulates feelings that so many people go through. So Proud and hoping she doesn't take another 5 years to publish another masterpiece.… Expand
  7. JuneD
    Jul 22, 2020
    9
    I think this is Lianne's most cohesive work. I've enjoyed her past two albums but always felt like the production would sometimes distractI think this is Lianne's most cohesive work. I've enjoyed her past two albums but always felt like the production would sometimes distract from her tremendous voice. Here, that doesn't happen. The instrumentation is more laid-back and has a live feel which works perfectly for her smokey vocals.
    There's a wonderful cover of Weird Fishes by Radiohead that shouldn't work but somehow it does and manages to be just as good as the original. This album feels summery and soulful in a way that is captivating. Easily the best r'n'b/neo-soul record of the year and undoubtedly proves that Lianne is one of the best artists working today.    … Expand
  8. RageNate
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    Worthies (6.5/11.5):
    - Bittersweet (Full Length)
    - Read My Mind - Can't Fight - Weird Fishes - Please Don't Make Me Cry - Sour Flower -    Worthies (6.5/11.5):
    - Bittersweet (Full Length)
    - Read My Mind
    - Can't Fight
    - Weird Fishes
    - Please Don't Make Me Cry
    - Sour Flower
    - Bittersweet    … Expand

See all 17 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Album of 2020
85
#85 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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