On a Mission
by Katy B
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2011
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. AllMusic
    Sep 12, 2011
    80
    If she can avoid the "trying to sound American" and "over-bearing lyrical preaching" mistakes of her pioneering U.K. urban predecessors, there's no reason why On a Mission can't be the start of a fruitful and glittering career.
  2. Pitchfork
    Apr 14, 2011
    81
    There's enough stylistic extension here that Katy finds a way to transcend enough signifiers to call herself pop above anything else.
  3. PopMatters
    Sep 13, 2011
    70
    It would be nice if she opted for less tried and true subject matter, but there is plenty of time for Katy to become more lyrically adventurous.
  5. Q Magazine
    Apr 22, 2011
    80
    She establishes herself as the freshest voice on the dancefloor. [Apr 2011, p.109]
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  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    On A Mission is hands-down pop debut of the year, marking the arrival of a completely credible, fresh-faced, mischievous talent to draw the proverbial moustaches on pop's gallery of gurning grotesques.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Sep 12, 2011
    70
    She's an ideal ambassador from her homeland's ever-expanding groove universe, with a diva-next-door voice that brings every body-moving subgenre her producers serve up - from bleeding-edge dubstep and so-called U.K. funky to good old-fashioned house and jungle - into the pop realm.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Apr 14, 2011
    90
    From this irrepressible debut, we can deduce that Katy B is a genuinely exciting UK urban vocal talent, the like of which we haven't seen in some time.
  9. The Guardian
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    Clearly it requires something more than vocal talent and looks to escape the fate of the featured vocalist, and whatever it is, 21-year-old Kathleen Bryan appears to have it.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    On A Mission is on its way to turning that mildly grubby dream into reality.
  11. Spin
    Sep 13, 2011
    80
    The male-dominated world of dubstep may dismiss all this as too lightweight and precious, but Katy B may transform into the queen of this boys club yet.
  12. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 6, 2011
    83
    Her sleek, sassy debut comes off like the Spice Girls for hipsters. [23 Sep 2011, p.79]
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  13. Slant Magazine
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    It's an album that only aims to give off the sensation of having rubbed up, briefly, against someone incredibly attractive on the dance floor and having the chance, missed encounter resonate for days afterward.
  14. Dusted Magazine
    Apr 14, 2011
    70
    Pop's newest princess? Let's just call it a modest success and save our enthusiasm for when she's better figured out what she wants to be. On a Mission isn't convincing as an answer.
  15. NOW Magazine
    Apr 21, 2011
    80
    On A Mission's song arrangement is spot on and completely avoids the awkward transitions that can dog "genre-defying" projects. A must-have.
  16. No Ripcord
    Apr 14, 2011
    90
    On A Mission is the sound of the dancefloor being brought to the pop charts.
  17. The New York Times
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    Katy B sings smoothly and sweetly, not dashing in and out in between the moving parts, but spreading out evenly, blunting their impact. Her soft voice turns a challenge into a seduction.
  18. BBC Music
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    She's shining bright and crying out to be taken on as Britain's new favourite pop star – and if this album is anything to go by, it looks like the stage is set.
  19. Beats Per Minute
    May 16, 2011
    82
    Katy B shows she's a vital voice to the smaller UK bass scene and her pop imbued form of garage has enough substance and personality to back her play for something bigger.
  20. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Apr 14, 2011
    80
    Unless I'm going insane, On a Mission sounds like a modern pop classic.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 46
  3. Negative: 1 out of 46
  1. Ishan
    Dec 16, 2011
    10
    this album is great....its like a variety of everything put together and its an album that deserves all the recognition. Every song is uniquethis album is great....its like a variety of everything put together and its an album that deserves all the recognition. Every song is unique and you can just keep listening to it over and over. This is a great debut album.… Full Review »
  2. SugarVenomOhyea
    Nov 9, 2012
    8
    'On A Misson' Is the amazing and fabulous debut from East London Funky House Princess, Katy B. Complete with gritty dub beats, UK Funky and'On A Misson' Is the amazing and fabulous debut from East London Funky House Princess, Katy B. Complete with gritty dub beats, UK Funky and Garage, 'On A Mission' Is more than a 'Dance/Electronic' Album. It's an album that will never leave you bored and keep you spinning all day and night.… Full Review »
  3. LuizCC
    May 27, 2012
    10
    This debut from Katy B is not just a collection of clubbangers or party music. It is far more than that. It manages to translate the clubThis debut from Katy B is not just a collection of clubbangers or party music. It is far more than that. It manages to translate the club ambient into the pop music world without getting hollow or common, but dazzling and funny. She has her own words and ways to make dubstep/electro-pop, as it shows in 'Broken Record', 'Witches Brew' and 'Katy on a mission', this last one combining some R&B and 'Bjorkism'. It's a freshness never seen before, and she's paving her way to the top.… Full Review »
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