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Love in the Future
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Love in the Future Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth full-length studio release for the R&B/soul singer features guest appearances from Rick Ross and Stacy Barthe as well as production from Kanye West and Dave Tozer.
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  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Soul, Urban, Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Neo-Soul, Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary R&B
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Top Track

All of Me
What would I do without your smart mouth Drawing me in, and you kicking me out? You've got my head spinning, no kidding I can't pin you down What's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. PopMatters
    Oct 1, 2013
    80
    John Legend captures the intimacy of the R&B genre without sacrificing the core music, which keeps it interesting for everyone.
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    Love in the Future is among Legend's best work, made for couples who are into one another for the long term while feeling a little daring and crazy.
  3. Boston Globe
    Sep 3, 2013
    80
    All of Legend’s strengths are present: keen melodies, smooth vocal understatement, and artful arrangements.
  4. Slant Magazine
    Sep 3, 2013
    60
    At 16 tracks, the album moves surprisingly fast, with few songs outstaying their welcome, but it ultimately fails to successfully push Legend into the future.
  5. Q Magazine
    Jan 27, 2014
    60
    It's a hit-and-miss affair. [Oct 2013, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. NOW Magazine
    Sep 12, 2013
    60
    [The album] is not in the same league as his magnificent 2004 debut, Get Lifted. But Love In The Future, boasting production and writing credits by Kanye West, still has plenty of beautiful moments.
  7. Exclaim
    Sep 3, 2013
    50
    Legend is content to adopt a croonerific sound that doesn't challenge existing soul genre parameters in the least. That's fine, in theory, but rather yawn-worthy in execution.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Lucas-carvalho
    Dec 12, 2018
    10
    The album is incredible, the producers must to be acclaimed! Legend vocals are also impeccable! It's an album that you can not hear just once.The album is incredible, the producers must to be acclaimed! Legend vocals are also impeccable! It's an album that you can not hear just once. In the future it will be recognized as a R & B classic with certainty… Expand
  2. thaleslucas
    Feb 23, 2015
    9
    "Love in the Future", technically the fifth studio album by John Legend, is simply an amazing thing to hear!

    These compositions in Legend    "Love in the Future", technically the fifth studio album by John Legend, is simply an amazing thing to hear!

    These compositions in Legend voice are simply one of the most emotional I've ever heard. The drama that surrounds the tune of great love ballads like "All of Me," "You & I" and "The Beginning ..." is extremely graceful and passionate, as well as small stir "Open Your Eyes" and "Wanna Be Loved ".

    In addition, we also find a great nostalgia on tracks like "Made to Love," "Who Do You Think We Are" and "Asylum" that make the album most dynamic to listen to. Certainly, the interludes make the album tedious little bit, but nothing you cannot forget.

    Anyway, this album is great and very nice to hear. A great choice for those who want to start listening to John's discography, which is totally wonderful.    … Collapse
  4. geedup
    Sep 3, 2013
    8
    Clearly Legend's voice has not deteriorated- it sounds as it did on his first album. Kanye stayed on as a producer on some of the songs, whichClearly Legend's voice has not deteriorated- it sounds as it did on his first album. Kanye stayed on as a producer on some of the songs, which matches Legend's style very well. 17 tracks and most of the songs could be strong singles for the radio. My only complaint with this record is that I would have liked more "uptempo" songs. As I listened to the album the word came to mind was "sappy."… Expand
  5. Cedric1
    Dec 19, 2013
    8
    John Legend is one of the most talented musicians of the current generation and he never fails to deliver an excellent album. He weaves aJohn Legend is one of the most talented musicians of the current generation and he never fails to deliver an excellent album. He weaves a compelling tale about the many joys and perils of love. His voice sounds as good as ever and this album has made me realise how hard I've missed his music over the past few years. His previous project was a collaboration with the Roots and although I liked it, it contained just one original song. Luckily on this album we get plenty of brand new songs. One of the two covers on the album Open your eyes which originally was written by Bobby Caldwell was adapted by Legend with such tenacity and vigour that you'd think this song was written just for him. Together with All of me I think these two are the stand out tracks although the majority of songs are excellent. The only thing I didn't really like about this album was the Rick Ross feature. It didn't feel right on an album that's so pure R&B. A must listen for any John Legend fan and for R&B-lovers in general… Expand
  6. tellerink
    Mar 30, 2014
    4
    Simply put: meh. One song was really great (All Of Me), and some were ok. Like I've read from other reviews, it's sappy and could use a bitSimply put: meh. One song was really great (All Of Me), and some were ok. Like I've read from other reviews, it's sappy and could use a bit more energy in most sounds. I would need to give it another good listen before setting my judgement into sand, but John Legend is not up my alley.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Shared Album of 2013

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