Lift Your Spirit
by Aloe Blacc
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. PopMatters
    May 8, 2014
    60
    The album doesn’t have a lot of replay value, and the songwriting is hit-or-miss, but Aloe Blacc is able to tap into a market that isn’t seeing a lot of action right now.
  2. Mojo
    Apr 23, 2014
    60
    It's less effective on the bland troubadour pop of Here Today and The Man, which samples Elton John's Your Song and is already a US Top 5 hit. [May 2014, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 7, 2014
    60
    Aloe Blacc's major-label debut does what it promises: it lifts your spirit.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Mar 11, 2014
    60
    Highlights like the boisterous "Can You Do This" and an EDM-free mix of "Wake Me Up" (just in case anyone forgot he's that guy) are plenty radio-friendly, but the songs never quite add up to a cohesive album.
  6. The New York Times
    Mar 10, 2014
    60
    Throughout the album, Mr. Blacc sings with the kind of earthy vitality that many studied neo-soul singers don’t have the voice to match. But too often, the production--most of it by DJ Khalil--is so thoroughly retro that Mr. Blacc only reminds a listener of whom he’s emulating.
  7. HipHopDX
    Mar 10, 2014
    60
    If only its last few tracks were just as focused and compelling [as "Wake Me Up"]. Lift Your Spirit only suffers when it winds down, as it panders to Blacc’s booming audience.
  8. The Guardian
    Apr 4, 2014
    40
    Blacc's gravelly, expressive voice sounds terrific throughout, his trills and melodies indebted to Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, but isn't enough to make the album sound particularly exciting.
  9. Uncut
    Apr 2, 2014
    40
    His leftfield takes on protest soul have been ditched in favour of pick'n'mix revivalism and banal inspirational platitudes. [May 2014, p.67]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Record Collector
    Mar 31, 2014
    40
    There’s good songwriting in places, but with the artist’s idiosyncrasies effectively airbrushed out by a bloated production, the result is a dull, vapid collection of songs desperate to please.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 14 out of 27
  1. jyo_tirmaya
    Dec 6, 2014
    10
    This album is so unique and fun to listen to. ...it's great to hear the genuine lyrics sung so lovely by Mr. Blacc. Unlike John Legend, Aloe'sThis album is so unique and fun to listen to. ...it's great to hear the genuine lyrics sung so lovely by Mr. Blacc. Unlike John Legend, Aloe's music makes you swoon - not just sit there trying to figure out if you like what you're hearing. lol When I saw Aloe on the Soul Train awards, I was like "Who is THAT? I LOVE him!" lol So when I found him on iTunes I was happy to get a taste of the new record - which, although his album "Good Things" received more critical accolades, this album is more fun to listen to. Sometimes the critics just get it wrong! This album is SO recommended!… Full Review »
  2. ajiconic
    Mar 11, 2014
    10
    Lift Your Spirit is rather formulaic from that standpoint--it's a fun EP and is a must-buy.Lift Your Spirit is rather formulaic from that standpoint--it's a fun EP and is a must-buy.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »