Non-Fiction
by Ne-Yo
  • Record Label: Motown
  • Release Date: Jan 27, 2015
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Jan 27, 2015
    91
    On his gleefully carnal sixth LP he shows off a flexibility that few performers can match.[30 Jan-6 Feb 2015,p.120]
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  2. AllMusic
    Feb 3, 2015
    80
    Non-Fiction nonetheless contains more standouts than any Ne-Yo album since Because of You.
  3. HipHopDX
    Feb 17, 2015
    70
    While not setting the world on fire, it nestles its way warmly into your heart, soul and dancing feet.
  5. Exclaim
    Jan 27, 2015
    70
    The narrative isn't particularly groundbreaking; it tells the story of escaping a bad relationship, falling in love with someone else and then torpedoing it with his libido. Ne-Yo's MJ-indebted falsetto does deliver some highlights on the album.
  6. Pitchfork
    Feb 10, 2015
    64
    Though Non-Fiction only occasionally rises to the high songwriting standards of Ne-Yo’s seamless 2008 album Year of the Gentleman, it does correct some of the faults of his last record, 2012’s R.E.D., where the R&B songs and the Euro-dance songs played as if they’d been written for entirely separate projects.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 17, 2015
    60
    The contrast between the rough and Ne-Yo’s ultra-smoothness only adds to his appeal.
  8. Rolling Stone
    Jan 27, 2015
    50
    The music, sadly, can be just as tough to follow.
  9. Boston Globe
    Jan 27, 2015
    50
    Alas, not enough of the songs have great tunes to go along with that production and vocal quality.
  10. Q Magazine
    Feb 25, 2015
    40
    There are strong cameos from assorted MCs, particularly Juicy J and Schoolboy Q, but his attempt to talk a girlfriend into a threesome on Story Time is proof there are even worse things in life than dabbling in Eurodance. [Apr 2015, p.108]
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  11. The Guardian
    Feb 11, 2015
    40
    The album treads repetitive ground.
  12. Complex
    Jan 27, 2015
    40
    Non-Fiction is a fire sale of songs no one else bought, over beats no other singer could’ve wanted. The beat selection is whiplash, from pop to R&B to retro trance vibes that never settle into a sure, comfortable pattern.
  13. Slant Magazine
    Jan 27, 2015
    40
    Non-Fiction is just blandly lazy about developing its representation of women, like it is about everything else. That lack of specificity renders the album ironically hindered by its own overt conception: a story album unable to sustain interest as fiction, non- or otherwise.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 9 out of 29
  1. Slowjams_smooth
    Jan 31, 2015
    10
    is best work since Year of the Gentlemen. This album demonstrates the way an album is supposed to be listened to. As a body of work to beis best work since Year of the Gentlemen. This album demonstrates the way an album is supposed to be listened to. As a body of work to be consumed and rated as a whole not as individual songs. With the all songs coming together to paint a sincere and heartfelt story.… Full Review »
  2. BustaDimes
    Mar 16, 2022
    9
    His first 3 albums were back-to-back classics. No R&B singer has ever done an explosive entrance like that. 3 classic albums in 3 years.His first 3 albums were back-to-back classics. No R&B singer has ever done an explosive entrance like that. 3 classic albums in 3 years. Unfortunately he then lost his way into unnecessary pop trends, but with this record, he came back to greatness.

    Ne-Yo's most versatile project ever. From the flawless street R&B of "Money Can't Buy", the amazingly produced hip hop banger "She Knows" (Juicy J murdered this), the exemplary funky-synth-pop "Coming with You", the superb R&B slow-jam "Come Over". It's by far the most Chris Brown-ish stuff he's ever done (especially comparing it to Breezy's "X" album). Some took that as a step away from his "gentleman" image, but let's be honest, this doesn't sound out of character at all. This sounds all the way authentic. This got the great aesthetic that only a phenomenon like Ne-Yo can bring to the table. An amazing record following his first trio was needed, and this is his only one (to date) that marks that spot.    … Full Review »
  3. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 13, 2015
    6
    Not a bad album, but a generally forgettable effort from an artist who generally releases great albums. I came into this album with goodNot a bad album, but a generally forgettable effort from an artist who generally releases great albums. I came into this album with good expectations because I liked how Ne-Yo talked about the album in interviews, how it would be his full return to R&B and would be more of a storytelling album. I also liked the singles. But Ne-Yo was trying to trick his fans. He released all the good R&B songs as singles and then saved the bad R&B songs and pop songs as album cuts. Nice job, Ne-Yo, it's exactly the opposite of what you did for R.E.D., which was a better album because of this. Grade: B-/C+. Highlights: "One More", "Good Morning", "Money Can't Buy". Worst songs: "Time of Our Lives" (the album would have been a touch better if Pitbull saved the song entirely for only his own album Globalization), "Who's Taking You Home" (he's pulling a "We Found Love" here)… Full Review »
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