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New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)
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New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War) Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: Erykah Badu's latest album was produced by 9th Wonder, Madlib, Mike "Chav" Chavarria, and Bilal.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. The Guardian
    100
    Each listen to New Amerykah brings fresh rewards: it demands to be explored.
  2. PopMatters
    90
    While the LP is smart and funky as hell, it distinguishes itself because it's part of a series.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    Immediately moving and yet rather bewildering, New Amerykah, Pt. 1 is an album that sounds special from the first play, yet it will probably take years before it is known just how special it is.
  4. Mojo
    80
    NuAmerykah is her boldest and best yet, brilliantly eccentric but repaying every indulgence. [May 2008, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    While Britain and the US are succumbing to a very retro take on the US's R&B heritage, the original queen of neo-soul has taken a giant leap forward.
  6. The A.V. Club
    75
    It's a challenging, even frustrating listen, but Amerykah stakes out Badu's place between vinyl crackle and tape hiss among things to be fond of, no matter how outmoded they become.
  7. Hot Press
    50
    Veteran hip hop soul princess Erykah Badu's newest creative contribution is ambitious, but lacks the smoothness and cohesive feel of her previous work.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. DylanL.
    Feb 29, 2008
    10
    A really good album . It's a classic
  2. AshleyF
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    This is the first honest album I've heard in a long while, and one can agree to disagree if they choose, but you must contend that her This is the first honest album I've heard in a long while, and one can agree to disagree if they choose, but you must contend that her delivery is unique and soulful. The most sincere, thought-provoking album I've seen in a long while.… Expand
  4. CinthD.
    Jun 12, 2009
    10
    At first listen, the album might sound overproduced, distasteful and totally out of Erykah's range. An honest advice, try listening to At first listen, the album might sound overproduced, distasteful and totally out of Erykah's range. An honest advice, try listening to album several times and surely you will realize this is a masterpiece and that Erykah has done it again. Every track is worth exploring and suits this album. Furthermore, the album got the universal acclaim with reason.… Expand
  5. Jerrod
    Feb 29, 2008
    9
    Both Baduizm and Mama's Gun really knew how to "bring me home." Mama's Gun is one of my ten favorite CDs of all time, and I never Both Baduizm and Mama's Gun really knew how to "bring me home." Mama's Gun is one of my ten favorite CDs of all time, and I never thought she would come close to topping it. New Amerykah comes surprisingly close. She shows us even more quirks in her already misunderstood personality, and she fortunately never tries to hide behind a facade of stale R&B. Grooves extend longer on some tracks, as they did on Worldwide Underground, but the inventive beats kept me wanting more. Highlights include The Healer, Me, My People, Soldier and (of course) Honey. Erykah's raw emotion is unmatched in contemporary Soul/R&B (and perhaps even across all genres). This will without a doubt appear on critics lists at the closing of 2008. Buy it ASAP.… Expand
  6. jabus
    Jan 5, 2009
    7
    The album shows how bold and creative she is.She is testing new ground. I love her work.
  7. hydrawithears
    Oct 3, 2011
    6
    Erykah Badu is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious R&B singers ever. New Amerykah is her delicious two-part concept album about modernErykah Badu is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious R&B singers ever. New Amerykah is her delicious two-part concept album about modern American society. Both perceptive and insular, 4th World War means deep lyrics wrapped in fresh (even after three years after its release) beats. Amerykahn Promise kicks off like a lost blaxploitation film trailer and offers simply more everything. Me sounds like a Flying Lotus-produced track. The best thing here is probably The Healer in which Badu shows those glittering babies how you do it.… Collapse
  8. ChrisW.
    Apr 2, 2008
    2
    A major disapointment! Her last album was much more focused. This is just garbage at points.

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best Album of 2008
100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2008

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