Manic
by Halsey
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jan 17, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1008 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 844 out of 1008
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 1008
  3. Negative: 108 out of 1008
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  1. XYA
    Jan 26, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Manic marks for her a new apogee in terms of versatility and authenticity.

    A journey through Halsey's personal point of views and life experiences. The choice of not including Nightmare makes even more sense now as Manic is already oversaturated by the abundance of different genres waving through the album, approximately separated by the interludes in three main solid units. The singer's primary strength is found in her songwriting skills, in Manic they leave the more philosophical inquisitions of her past discography in favor of an extemporaneous, still sophisticated expression that puts the listener in a chair right in front of her genuine storytelling. With the exception of a couple of fillers, the songs themselves evince a neat identity while oozing pop fragrances absorbing as much as possible from out-of-pop sounds in order to follow and enhance whatever emotion is brought to the table.

    Highlights: You Should Be Sad, Forever... is a Long Time, Finally // Beautiful Strangers

    Partial scores:
    A.S.S. (average songs score) = 8.0/10
    Overall composition = 7.8/10
    Overall production = 8.3/10
    Overall songwriting = 9.2/10
    Creativity = 8.2/10
    Cohesivity = 7.5/10

    The final score is obtained using the following formula:
    (ASS x 2 + composition x 2 + production x 2 + songwriting x 2 + creativity x 1 + cohesivity x 1)/100 =

    82.3/100

    Manic's final score falls within the category very good albums.    … Expand
  2. matthewmirliani
    Jan 17, 2020
    6
    Manic’s ambition cannot be denied - nor can the importance of the message it delivers, nor can Halsey’s great talent, nor can the heart that is put into a work like this. However the album starts and ends on its weakest tracks, leaving the middle a more engaging and impressive pop album and resulting in an overall mixed bag of an experience. But despite its disappointments and missteps,Manic’s ambition cannot be denied - nor can the importance of the message it delivers, nor can Halsey’s great talent, nor can the heart that is put into a work like this. However the album starts and ends on its weakest tracks, leaving the middle a more engaging and impressive pop album and resulting in an overall mixed bag of an experience. But despite its disappointments and missteps, when the album is good it’s very good - the exceptional punk-pop anthem “3AM” which takes us back to the early 2000s; the brilliant lead single “Without Me”; and the dreamy pop-rap of “SUGA’s Interlude.” Other highlights include the sparkling “More” and Alanis Morissette’s emotive guest appearance.… Expand
  3. JAGMON2306
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    It is an emotional album rich in the feelings expressed in its lyrics whose goal is to make you part of the excitement of Ashley, who to this day achieves her best concept and musical album.
  4. sleo131
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Halsey is in the adult stage of her career, the album sounds like reports of a human being who found her own peace, despite having melancholy songs like the hit song "Without Me", she is far from the love fantasy that brought "hopeless fountain kingdom" "Halsey begins the best phase of his career with this album, his talent has never been more exposed than now, with this album we startHalsey is in the adult stage of her career, the album sounds like reports of a human being who found her own peace, despite having melancholy songs like the hit song "Without Me", she is far from the love fantasy that brought "hopeless fountain kingdom" "Halsey begins the best phase of his career with this album, his talent has never been more exposed than now, with this album we start 2020 with a golden key.
    Must-see music: you should be sad    … Expand
  5. Ranit
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Really healing. Halsey (Ashley) really put her heart and soul into this record, which is awesome! Pure and raw! Well done!
  6. mariadiniz1
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Her best album, her best writing and best vocals, u can see how much she’s grown as an artist and person since badlands.
  7. carlyhealy
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    O melhor álbum da carreira, Manic é maravilhoso a maneira que as letras se conectam é realmente incrível.
  8. selsmanic
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This is by so far Halsey's best album, you can feel all the words she sings. The song writing is OUT OF THIS WORLD! This album just proved Halsey's incredible and genius mind and how good her music is, this album show us growth, pain, love, self-recovery and the ups and downs of the life. She made one of the best albums released in a lot time. She deserves to be nominated for next year'sThis is by so far Halsey's best album, you can feel all the words she sings. The song writing is OUT OF THIS WORLD! This album just proved Halsey's incredible and genius mind and how good her music is, this album show us growth, pain, love, self-recovery and the ups and downs of the life. She made one of the best albums released in a lot time. She deserves to be nominated for next year's Grammy's (just like Rare by Selena, best albums of 2020) and she's gonna be a bigger artist one day. One of the best lyricists of this generation along with Taylor Swift… Expand
  9. swiftiezinho
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Álbum PERFEITO, onde Halsey conseguiu misturar vários gêneros musicais e mesmo assim manteve coesão. Letras impecáveis e significativas, diferente de muitos outros artistas que não ligam para a riqueza na escolha de palavras. Melhor trabalho da Halsey até agora, sem dúvidas.
  10. anaswiftie
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Uma obra de arte, coeso, liricamente rico, melodias lindas. Halsey entregou seu melhor trabalho
  11. melliejellie
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Halsey never fails to disappoint. This album is personal, emotional and amazing.
  12. hfklucas
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    um álbum perfeito e que sem dúvida alguma ultrapassou todas as expectativas. manic é um álbum verdadeiro, que fala sobre sentimentos como realmente são. uma montanha russa de emoções, a cada faixa você ouve algo novo. é um dos poucos trabalhos atualmente que se destacam. manic é um álbum que possui muita qualidade.
  13. TsukiNoshi
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Halsey's ability to thrill and expose me with such affection and feeling on an album is amazing !! all the songs are wonderful, and a tip for those who have not heard: listen on… Expand
  14. elizaummm
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    the intimacy and the effort she put into this project just shows how big of an artist she truly is. FOR SURE, her best album so far.
  15. slllllxmkcpx
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    her best album. Her growth in this album is noticeable and the cohesiveness of this album stands out.
  16. 17minutesx
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    It’s a hearing adventure, a poetic masterpiece. The album reflects Halsey well just as Ashley, from words and sentences to an amazing production in each and every song. You’re able to close your eyes and picture colors to visualize the exact scenario you might relate to, same goes to the lyrics. Halsey brings an album full of relatable experiences which many people saw, see or will seeIt’s a hearing adventure, a poetic masterpiece. The album reflects Halsey well just as Ashley, from words and sentences to an amazing production in each and every song. You’re able to close your eyes and picture colors to visualize the exact scenario you might relate to, same goes to the lyrics. Halsey brings an album full of relatable experiences which many people saw, see or will see themselves in, but not in a tragic way, rather in a heroic method. All songs hide something you won’t realize the first time you hear it, you’ve got to listen to it agin and again to catch all the points and understand the entire context. Again, Halsey has brought us an album filled with emotion, tears, smiles, laughs and as usual, bravery.… Expand
  17. am1234
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This album is a masterpiece, truly cohesive and coherent. Each track seamlessly flows into the other, there is no evidence of discombobulation or disparity, despite most of the tracks belonging to different genres. Manic truly cements Halsey’s places as one of the best lyricists of our generation, with such as beautiful and versatile voice to go along with her ingenuity. None of the tracksThis album is a masterpiece, truly cohesive and coherent. Each track seamlessly flows into the other, there is no evidence of discombobulation or disparity, despite most of the tracks belonging to different genres. Manic truly cements Halsey’s places as one of the best lyricists of our generation, with such as beautiful and versatile voice to go along with her ingenuity. None of the tracks felt out of place, and there is something for everyone within this album, most people will probably relate to it one way or another. Possibly the best release of 2020 uptil now, and Halsey’s finest work, which is saying alot, considering how great HFK and Badlands were. Everyone should give it a listen, they won’t be disappointed.… Expand
  18. x102y
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Album Of The Year ! Halsey best album agaın this album is literally Album Of The Year
  19. juancuela
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Halsey wasn't playing when she said every song on Manic has its own identity. It amazes me the way that she explored a lot of themes and sounds without losing identity and cohesion. She addresses her own feelings and personality in a unique and unusual way. I'm so proud of the artist she became.
  20. Collosalmusic
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    I think it's her best album to date. It's the most personal album to her and it shows because the lyrics are so deep and personal. Every song gives a different vibe depending on your mood and that's why I think "Manic" is a perfect name for this album. Definitely a must listen!!
  21. Cristar
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is truly amazing, it is totally different from Badlands and Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. It is her most personal album and that is why her slogan is "An album made by Ashley for Halsey" and the name of the album is because it is a roller coaster of emotions and feelings, so it is recommended that you hear it from Start to finish without skipping any song.… Expand
  22. murgino00
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    penso sia uno degli album più belli che potranno uscire nel 2020.
    letteralmente ha superato se stessa questa volta.
  23. Ewan221
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Halsey’s (Ashley’s) most raw album, a must listen and a lyrical masterpiece!!
  24. taehylor
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Incredibly raw and vulnerable, as art should be. Ashley has turned her truth into music for the world to hear and I am in awe of her talent, strength, and bravery.
  25. viniciussawate
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Manic is a very lyrically cohesive album, with a diverse and heterogeneous aesthetic sound, and earns points for Halsey's maturity in relation to her own aesthetics and, albeit full of small slips and some choices that don't fit within the album's organicity like the interludes, most of the songs advance toward a beautiful, self-sufficient sensory dream that captivates us from the first note.
  26. supercutx
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    best album ever!!!!!!! i love the way she made a perfect chaotic emotion throughout the album
  27. mrocham
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    She deserves to be a grammy nominated with this album, i loved ALL TRACKS!!!! Congrats Halsey!
  28. Dragon_Ball
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Halsey gave us the most emotional and honest album. Seriously, this is her best album of her career!! So deep lyrics, it is clear that she grew up as an artist. The most favorite track is “Ashley”. It is very cool that she uses various quotes from films. As for "More," I literally burst into tears for this song.
    On this album it feels like all the songs were written by Ashley.
    During the    Halsey gave us the most emotional and honest album. Seriously, this is her best album of her career!! So deep lyrics, it is clear that she grew up as an artist. The most favorite track is “Ashley”. It is very cool that she uses various quotes from films. As for "More," I literally burst into tears for this song.
    On this album it feels like all the songs were written by Ashley.
    During the listening experience, it seems that you are sitting next to Ashley on the couch, and she tells you the story of her life, and you cry and laugh, literally experiencing the whole spectrum of emotions.
    I just want to say thank you to Halsey for everything that she does, she is a wonderful person and an ingenious songwriter!    … Expand
  29. VickiS
    Jan 17, 2020
    10
    Beautiful, personal, dinamic but also cohesive. One album one story, as she has us used to. Just excellent.
  30. morganasashes
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Very well written album from top to bottom. It's very rare that you find a mainstream artist who makes an album that isn't meant for the charts or radio. There are about 3 radio friendly songs on this album, but they're also very captivating. Her vocals on this record are also astounding. Bravo, Halsey!
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 11, 2020
    80
    Freighted by unflinching lyrics, Manic is a magnificent - and magnificently raw - pop confessional. [Apr 2020, p.110]
  2. No Ripcord
    Feb 4, 2020
    40
    The real problem is that the best ideas are outvoted by frustrating ones, leaving us with little touches like the short, yelping-like sound in the second verse of More or the distorted vocals that end killing boys. There are some good moments here, but even the best of them can’t help Halsey get out of her own way.
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  3. Paste Magazine
    Jan 29, 2020
    68
    Manic is a rich and often confounding listen, an expansive album filled to the brim with the imagined worlds Halsey’s built for herself in the real one. It’s also sincerely, indefatigably Halsey: She puts her loves and ambitions on wholly earnest display, even if it doesn’t always make for the most consistent listen.
    Read full review
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