Mr. Wonderful
by Action Bronson
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Mar 24, 2015
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 77 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 77
  3. Negative: 5 out of 77
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  1. arianejati
    Mar 29, 2015
    8
    Having a handful of well received mixtapes on his résumé, Action Bronson has the duty to live up to expectations with a cohesive debut album. Production-wise »Mr. Wonderful« is beautifully composed with a lot of jazz and soul elements that you will not find as properly placed and perfectly arranged in other hip hop albums. Lyrically, Bronson sticks to what he knows best and does not fallHaving a handful of well received mixtapes on his résumé, Action Bronson has the duty to live up to expectations with a cohesive debut album. Production-wise »Mr. Wonderful« is beautifully composed with a lot of jazz and soul elements that you will not find as properly placed and perfectly arranged in other hip hop albums. Lyrically, Bronson sticks to what he knows best and does not fall into despair by trying to touch on too many pop appealing topics for his first major label release. Halfway through the project, »A Light in the Addict« shows just how much of a musical understanding Action Bronson brings to the table by letting the bare instrumental serve as an outstanding scenery without too many vocals spoiling it. On the heels of it, the Mark Ronson produced »Baby Blue« might be hip hop's next mainstream smash hit without losing the project's golden thread. After only twelve tracks, »Mr. Wonderful« comes to a remarkable ending with »Easy Rider« once again being evidence of Bronson's perfect approach to the body of work and his choice of collaborators. This is the way debut albums should be crafted.… Expand
  2. Mad_sam
    Mar 25, 2015
    9
    This album is great! It takes different turns here and there, in terms of music. For example, there are full on rapping, then there is some blues, and some rock. This is a very complete album, but not necessarily too cohesive like say, To pimp a butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Nevertheless, it's a fun album, Action Bronson brings his usual quirky style and culinary word play, in other words,This album is great! It takes different turns here and there, in terms of music. For example, there are full on rapping, then there is some blues, and some rock. This is a very complete album, but not necessarily too cohesive like say, To pimp a butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Nevertheless, it's a fun album, Action Bronson brings his usual quirky style and culinary word play, in other words, this IS AN AUTHENTIC Bronson piece of work. Over the top lyrics, trippy soundscapes, and hard hitting, pure hip hop production all throughout.… Expand
  3. KeithLexSlater
    Mar 24, 2015
    9
    ''Im not flawless, I'm gorgeous like a horse'

    Action Bronson is wild and authentic. He represents a certain brand of hip-hop I love: crafting an over-the-top, cartoonish WWE-esque persona. He infuses his ultra-confident, warts-and-all personality and razor sharp sense of humor into chronicling his lavish, drug-fueled, sex-crazed rockstar lifestyle. Its his own take on this common    ''Im not flawless, I'm gorgeous like a horse'

    Action Bronson is wild and authentic. He represents a certain brand of hip-hop I love: crafting an over-the-top, cartoonish WWE-esque persona. He infuses his ultra-confident, warts-and-all personality and razor sharp sense of humor into chronicling his lavish, drug-fueled, sex-crazed rockstar lifestyle. Its his own take on this common rebel-on-the-loose trope filled with original detail and flourishes about exotic locales, gourmet food, and general debauchery. He has a lot of heart to go along with his unique, self-aware perspective. The album art really illustrates how you should approach listening to the album. Sonically, the production and sampling are incredible. Tonnes of stylistic influences, even a sanctioned sample from Billy Joel. Being in an altered state while listening to this enhances the experience.……    … Expand
  4. MetaLiTic
    Mar 24, 2015
    10
    What you've come to expect of Mr. Baklava. Absolute absurdity over wild beats. This man has yet to disappoint and I'm very interested to see where he takes his career from here.
  5. 1Genius
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    This is album is speaks for itself. It is indeed a wonderful album. Great artwork, Vocal delivery is excellent, coupled with excellent lyrics and album production. Action Bronson is the new face of Hip Hop. One of the best Lyricist
  6. Enforcer122
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    Musically the album is so enjoyable to listen to, influences from funk, rock, hip hop and just about everything else, all coming together with Action Bronsons habit of just being incredibly entertaining to listen to. Great album.
  7. Lovdahl
    Jan 31, 2016
    8
    I know that former sous chef Mr. Arslani was aiming for a very serious final product for his debut on a major label, and the content on “Mr. Wonderful” has obviously been handled with extreme care; however, I think the best parts of this latest Bronson project revolve around its silliness. Action Bronson cranks the kitsch up to eleven with goofy lyrics, glitzy production, and over-the-topI know that former sous chef Mr. Arslani was aiming for a very serious final product for his debut on a major label, and the content on “Mr. Wonderful” has obviously been handled with extreme care; however, I think the best parts of this latest Bronson project revolve around its silliness. Action Bronson cranks the kitsch up to eleven with goofy lyrics, glitzy production, and over-the-top instrumentation. There’s a deep classic rock vein running throughout “Mr. Wonderful”, with Fender Strat solos, slamming piano rock chording, and even some singing from Mr. Wonderful himself. But, the enjoyment comes from Bronson’s insouciant personality that he injects in every facet of this album. If you’re not having fun while listening to this celebration of glitter, glam, and mink sweat suits, go get yourself some escargot.… Expand
  8. ElroyRosenberg
    Jun 13, 2015
    8
    Bronson can do no wrong. He's just the most absurd rapper. I love anyone who's willing to consistently rap about eating cereal. The production here is absolutely fantastic - ambitious but not too much so that it's distracting or takes away from Bronson's flow. It starts off on a light-hearted tone with "Brand New Car" and just keeps rolling, peaking with the track "Actin' Crazy" but neverBronson can do no wrong. He's just the most absurd rapper. I love anyone who's willing to consistently rap about eating cereal. The production here is absolutely fantastic - ambitious but not too much so that it's distracting or takes away from Bronson's flow. It starts off on a light-hearted tone with "Brand New Car" and just keeps rolling, peaking with the track "Actin' Crazy" but never lulling too much that it becomes a bore to listen to. Of course not. Bronson's never boring. Yet another success from Mr. Baklava.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Most Discussed Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AllMusic
    Dec 22, 2015
    80
    Through it all, Bronson balances brutish punch lines with a stunning wit, and tempers his lust for world travel and opulence with self-deprecating jokes, and yet, Mr. Wonderful is still just a tad too big and busy for the newcomer.
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  2. The 405
    Apr 9, 2015
    70
    With Action Bronson, he's continuously put out solid bodies of work, whilst never compromising his character. Mr. Wonderful may not be the strongest debut he could've released, but for a rapper that probably doesn't measure his ability by studio albums, neither should we.
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  3. RapReviews.com
    Apr 7, 2015
    85
    Though Bronson does try new things on his first major-label outing, he still includes his characteristic lyrical qualities along with elements from past releases. In a sense, he's re-introducing himself.
    Read full review
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