Old - Danny Brown
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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Detroit rapper features Ab-Soul, A$AP Rocky, Charli XCX, Freddie Gibbs, Purity Ring, Schoolboy Q, Scrufizzer, and Zelooperz as guests.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Sputnikmusic
    Oct 9, 2013
    100
    While each song has a solid musical backbone, it’s Brown’s narratives that make the most profound impact, and move the album forward.
  2. All Music Guide
    Oct 7, 2013
    90
    While Old often seems like a hip-hop kaleidoscope exploding across the speakers, it's also crafted and paced, split down the middle like a great LP with a sure start and a freeing finish.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Oct 8, 2013
    88
    He has wound up producing an album that transcends much of the typical hype bullshit and seems destined to stand as a unifying record, leaving no one asking for Danny Brown’s resume when he receives his share of the spotlight, making his sense of humor an ingredient rather than the whole meal.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 30, 2013
    80
    Tracks like 'Torture' borrow far too liberally from A$AP Rocky's cloud-rap aesthetic to be considered original. But otherwise, Old is a perfect example of why 2013 is a very exciting time for hip-hop.
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Oct 8, 2013
    80
    While there’s certainly something thrilling about the wild, back-and-forth rollercoaster ride of listening to a Danny Brown album, in the end the grandest triumphs of Danny’s work are the myriad revelations gained from how the seemingly contradictory elements of these dualities interact with one another.
  6. Spin
    Oct 2, 2013
    80
    It isn't traditionally enjoyable, and it isn't supposed to be.... It's the most daring record he could've made.
  7. NOW Magazine
    Oct 3, 2013
    60
    Throughout, his rhymes hit the mark, whether he’s painting a bleak picture of the Detroit streets, battling his own demons (loneliness, molly, more molly) or rapping at length about drug-dealing without glorifying it Rick Ross-style.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. rajiHIII
    Oct 9, 2013
    10
    Danny Brown mixes the old with the new, and breaks more electro and indie boundaries to re-create Hip Hop as an overall Multi-Genre, while keeping his personality in balance with his voice.
    Arguably best Hip Hop Album of the year, but for sure Danny's best project of his career so far.    … Expand
  2. N10
    Oct 14, 2013
    10
    Did Danny Brown's "Old" live up to my hype?

    Side A has the more "Hybrid" feel too it and is the more introspective part with a lower vocal     delivery while Side B is the festival ready set with a lot catchy drugged/party till we die hooks and lyrics, with a vocal from Brown mostly high through out this half.

    If you're a fan of lyrics, you'll find some tracks that you will appreciate at least. Though, this is more experimental than your average rapper, this dude is someone you've got to get used to at first, so it's understandable if you would end up hating it at first listen.

    "Old" is the better record from Danny to introduce to a larger folk than his earlier releases to be honest. This tape has more of a 90's boombap gritty (especially Side A) feel too it, and is versatile enough, with some trap/EDM inspired beats and instrumentals. It's more gritty, more appealing to a wider listeners, it's some his fans and rap fans can enjoy overall.
    Danny's storytelling is better than ever, he paints a picture so vivid that it's hard to loose interest off once you get into him as an artist. As a rapper, Danny has released some of the best works this year lyrically, musically it dosen't get old it fits his lane perfectly. Well put together, Danny Brown's narrative is stellar, the production is superb, this album is absolutely fantastic.

    Is it my favorite project from Brown? Quite not sure, but it's a top release of the year and that's for sure.

    Loving it!    … Expand
  3. MylesMinott
    Oct 8, 2013
    9
    This album is incredible. Danny Brown shows his versatility by having two sides to the LP. One displaying his, low, gravely, monotone voice over 90's boom-bap inspired instrumentation, the other, the high pitched whelp and screech he showcases over EDM influenced trap-style beats. Both sides are very well polished, no rapper currently could do what Danny Brown did with this album. His witty lyricism is on point as always.… Expand
  4. RickFlairbombed
    Oct 9, 2013
    9
    This is a phenomenal follow up to XXX. The lyrical depth that Danny Brown goes into shows he's one of the best story tellers in rap. So many horror stories of his youth come through in Side A, while Side B follows more in the same vein of XXX, a craving for drug escapism. Interesting to hear how Danny Brown raps in a more straight normal style in Side A, whereas the second half has him at his most eccentric. The beats in the second half are also more distorted and effects driven, helping to push the concept of the album that really splits after "Clean Up."
    None of the songs last longer than 3 minutes, which is unfortunate on a track like "Lonely" where I'd love if the chorus was repeated. Also means that nothing here really outstays its welcome, which is great for a 19 track album. Making my top 10 for the year, and possibly best rap album, although Run the Jewels is still getting regular play.    … Expand
  5. indiegalaxy10
    Oct 8, 2013
    8
    Usually the hip hop doesn't work for me but this album is the pretty exception, Danny is an intelligent guy and his lyrics and music are awesome, maybe this is the best rap album of all the year… Expand
  6. Spangle
    Oct 8, 2013
    8
    Overall, a really good album. I am not a big Danny Brown guy at all and am generally annoyed by his voice, but here, he largely seems to rap normally and when he does, it is incredibly effective. It is so effective, in fact, that I sort of liked it when he rapped in his silly, crazy voice that he so frequently uses. I was quite impressed by this album as a whole and it is most definitely a very good project. In my eyes, Danny Brown took major steps forward with this album.… Expand
  7. Duu
    Oct 11, 2013
    8
    This is a very good album by Danny Brown. Lyrically it spans the range between really serious and really braggadocios and outrageous (I did take issue with the trite brag raps that demean women). Brown He sounds good and he paints pictures very well. This album is not a classic, but as far as new/contemporary rap goes, Danny Brown stands out above many of the rest. Kendrick Lamar is currently the best rapper alive and there just doesn't seem to be anyone on his level of being both melodically and lyrically special. (Eminem is the best rhymer alive and paints a picture very well, although his stories are just not that interesting in general unless you are a hip-hop fan). But Danny Brown tries to capture a hard east coast sound and he does it very well. There are no classic songs on this album, but 12 out of the 19 songs are satisfactory to very good. I look forward to future albums from Danny Brown. This album is one for fans of Mceeing.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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