Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Oct 17, 2012
    90
    There's a decade of depth to D. Swain that shows in every bar, note, and beat of this Payback, one which should hopefully give the music biz a big smack in the face.
  2. Nov 14, 2012
    80
    Lyrically, Swain brings it, and the album's conceptual structure is sturdy enough to support nearly 90 minutes of nimble versification.
  3. Oct 23, 2012
    80
    While Payback's status as a concept album makes it a rarity in the hip-hop world, even rarer for that realm is an album that's more focused on a continued narrative than creating a breakout single, making the album something that's to be experienced in its entirety.
  4. Oct 17, 2012
    80
    Payback sounds more like a catharsis, an extended musical middle finger filled with the kind of instrumental interludes, frenetic humor and unconstrained personality that will leave heads nodding, and Clear Channel running in the opposite direction.
  5. Oct 17, 2012
    80
    His honesty and candor on the LP are constantly refreshing.
  6. Oct 25, 2012
    70
    Come for the hype; stay for the delivery. He's earned it.

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