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Modus Vivendi
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Modus Vivendi Image
Metascore
80

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

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length studio release for the rapper from New Jersey features The Ebonys on one track.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Consequence
    Jan 17, 2020
    83
    She took her time, creating a project that shows how much she absorbed between then and now; in fact, Modus Vivendi is the marrow she sucked out of her experience.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jan 17, 2020
    80
    While it can often go dark, the vibe is empathic; Shake’s said the record was designed to comfort, and counter hate.
  3. HipHopDX
    Jan 17, 2020
    80
    It’s a Mantovani-style soundscape heard in a sensory deprivation salt tank. It’s just as home in a ‘head’s collection as it is in a New Age retreat or if you prefer, at Sunday Service.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 17, 2020
    80
    Throughout this record, 070 Shake paints vivid – and often uncomfortable, or jarring – pictures, and it’s all on her own terms.
  5. Exclaim
    Feb 10, 2020
    80
    Ultimately, Shake carves out poetic tranquility in the entropy of her messy relationship, showing her audience the art of Modus Vivendi — or the peaceful coexistence of conflicting forces.
  6. Q Magazine
    Feb 11, 2020
    80
    While not every idea feels as flesh out, Modus Vivendi teases a talented artist trying something genuinely new. [Apr 2020, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The Guardian
    Jan 17, 2020
    60
    While Shake occasionally excels at crafting musical gems out of dark paranoia, her themes are stretched somewhat thin over the course of the whole record and on some tracks she ends up sounding listless.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. NicoRascall
    Jan 20, 2020
    10
    This album was honestly a work of art. The production was flawless and incorporated several retro-sounding elements which just adds to theThis album was honestly a work of art. The production was flawless and incorporated several retro-sounding elements which just adds to the greatness of this album. A skipless album.… Expand
  2. woofshark
    Jun 28, 2022
    10
    Truly an underrated masterpiece. This album isn't just a bunch of catchy songs, its a beautiful journey about the struggles of life andTruly an underrated masterpiece. This album isn't just a bunch of catchy songs, its a beautiful journey about the struggles of life and finding peace with God.… Expand
  4. tushraj21
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    The production of the album is amazing. Shake knows how to mix different industrial and retro 80's synths sounds perfectly. It's a surpriseThe production of the album is amazing. Shake knows how to mix different industrial and retro 80's synths sounds perfectly. It's a surprise that this is a debut album because it sounds like a person who's been here for a while and now experimenting with their sound. I'll be looking forward towards this artist's future work for sure.… Expand
  5. clem666
    Jan 5, 2021
    9
    Oh lord. How much do I regret listening to this album right after submitting my vote for the best albums of 2020 on Metacritic! This one couldOh lord. How much do I regret listening to this album right after submitting my vote for the best albums of 2020 on Metacritic! This one could easily have reached my top 3.
    Lyrics are deep, emotional, introspective. We can feel that 070 Shake took her time and made a true sacrifice to come up with this. There surely must have been sparks and fire in that Los Angeles studio with Mike Dean. Her voice is marvelous and touching, amazing chanting, awesome rapping (if we can call it that way).
    Overall production is a miracle. There is no other word to qualify it. It is deep, catchy, sharp, soft, hovering and slight at the same time. 070 Shake truly has the taste to let silence speak and invade us. We get through so much varied emotions during the project. It is unbelievable. Mixing perfectly retro and futuristic sounds is another quality shes possess.
    I don't have a favorite song in this project but I just love all the atmosphere.
    The only flaw is repetitiveness, especially in 'Daydreamin' and 'Microdosing' tracks.    … Expand
  6. msl517
    Jan 17, 2020
    9
    Overall great experience to just close your eyes, listen to and absorb! Different from her other music, but in many ways, it's better. All theOverall great experience to just close your eyes, listen to and absorb! Different from her other music, but in many ways, it's better. All the songs flow fluently together and work together to create the whole album.… Expand
  7. Martinni
    Jan 18, 2020
    8
    Modus Vivendi is a captivating, dark, yet sweet debut album. Really enjoyable sonically thanks to the production from Mike Dean, lyricism isModus Vivendi is a captivating, dark, yet sweet debut album. Really enjoyable sonically thanks to the production from Mike Dean, lyricism is very much there, and overall a worthwhile listen.… Expand
  8. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    5
    Don't Break The Silence - 6/10
    Come Around - 6/10
    Morrow - 6,5/10 It's Forever - 4/10 Rocketship - 6/10 Divorce - 6/10 The Pines - 6/10    Don't Break The Silence - 6/10
    Come Around - 6/10
    Morrow - 6,5/10
    It's Forever - 4/10
    Rocketship - 6/10
    Divorce - 6/10
    The Pines - 6/10
    Guilty Conscience - 6,5/10
    Microdosing - 5,7/10
    Nice To Have - 6/10
    Under The Moon - 6/10
    Daydreamin - 5,7/10
    Terminal B - 5,8/10
    Flight319 - 5/10    … Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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