ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE
by BROCKHAMPTON
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Apr 9, 2021
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 9, 2021
    60
    “Windows”, with its eerie synths and squawking delivery, recalls the dark psychedelia of Cypress Hills’ 2018 record, Elephants on Acid. But that then jumps to skittery R&B with “I’ll Take You On”. Nothing joins together. Brockhampton don’t sound self-aware as much as self-conscious.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 9, 2021
    60
    While ‘Old News’ also has a light, airy quality – every note of ‘Roadrunner’ is imbued with a deep melancholy. While it might not provide the same hit as the jubilant likes of early hits ‘Boogie’ and ‘Gold’, Brockhampton are still masters of tapping into a mood, and it’s an immersive trip as a result.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Discussed Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 109
  3. Negative: 3 out of 109
  1. nobdog3085
    Apr 10, 2021
    10
    This is easily their best work yet in my opinion. This album has their best blend of the hard banger tracks as it does the softer deep cuts.This is easily their best work yet in my opinion. This album has their best blend of the hard banger tracks as it does the softer deep cuts. This album after a few listens is definitely a grower, especially one or two songs in the middle that definitely grew on me after the first listen. This is one that deserves multiple plays because of how deep some cuts here are. Starting with the first track BUZZCUT, this is a great start to the album. Kevin Abstract really shines here with his hardest verse since GUMMY on SAT2. Danny Brown also is a fantastic feature and he really shines over this beat. The outro with Merlyn Wood and Joba is also great with their contrasting voices blending together great. This track really brings back the group feeling many were missing from Iridescence and Ginger. The second track is called CHAIN ON (feat. JPEGMAFIA). This has a nice and simple beat, but with Kevin on the hook, JPEGMAFIA, and Dom going hard really goes well nicely with the beat. Easily one of the better songs in the first half. The third track is called COUNT ON ME and this is the first "softer" song on the album sonically speaking. It features A$AP Rocky and SoGone SoFlexy along with Matt Champion on the verses with Jabari Manwa, Ryan Beatty, and Shawn Mendes on the chorus which is a nice feel-good time. This is definitely one of the more "summery" and more replay-heavy tracks that are always nice to turn on. The fourth track, BANKROLL (feat. A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg) is easily one of my personal favorites. This is the track where Merlyn shines the most. He has one of my favorite verses of his on this one. Asap Rocky and Asap Ferg also sound amazing here as well. The fifth track is where the album really starts to get amazing. THE LIGHT has Joba talking about his father's recent suicide and his struggles regarding that. Kevin Abstract also has a verse to close off the song where he raps about his struggles with his sexuality and how his mom feels about it. For most this is a top tier track in their catalog. The sixth track is WINDOWS (feat. SoGone SoFlexy). This is the first track so far that features a verse from all the members of the group and every one of the verses here is amazing. Personal highlights are Jabari on the chorus, Merlyn's verse, bearface's verse, and Joba's verse. This one is the longest song on the album but I think is worth the whole listen. The next two songs are probably the two most controversial ones on the whole album where people either love them or hate them. I personally love both I'LL TAKE YOU ON (feat. Charlie Wilson) and OLD NEWS (feat. Baird) but there are many others who do not like either of these tracks. They are both nice kind of pop-inspired cuts that can be a bit sappy sometimes, but I think are a fine addition to the album that doesn't really help or hurt the experience all that much. The next track WHAT'S THE OCCASION? is another favorite of mine. It has fantastic verses and a great instrumental which features a Beatles-style guitar backing track with maybe even some MCR influence here too. Another great track with a fantastic chorus by Joba yet again, and a somber rock-out outro. WHEN I BALL is the tenth track on the album which starts off with an amazing verse by Dom where he lays out the struggles of African Americans in America and the struggles they face with police and the prison system. This also has a nice verse by Matt talking about his childhood as well with Joba on the bridge and chorus and the outro. Another fantastic track. The eleventh track here might be the best on the entire record. DON'T SHOOT UP THE PARTY is a straight banger that brings back the feelings of the Saturation era group bangers like BOOGIE and SWEET for example. Kevin Abstract opens the track with a verse about his struggles with being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in America and some racial issues as well. Joba also has a verse that references the suicide of his father. One of my favorite tracks here. The second to last track is the very somber DEAR LORD which was written by bearface for Joba and his father asking for God to help his friend get through the tough times. This is an incredible track to me as it is one of the deepest and sad moments in their entire discography. This leads me to my favorite track here THE LIGHT PT. II. It again leads off with Kevin Abstract rapping a verse about his struggles with his mother and police brutality in America. This is my favorite verse of his on the entire record. Then it moves onto Joba for the rest of the song. This verse is easily his best one he has ever done with a somber and heartfelt tribute to his father who he recently lost to suicide. This song is easily the best closer to any of their albums. To wrap this up, I loved this record from front to back. This is so far my favorite album of the 2020's so far and cannot wait to see where they go on their final album later this year. Rating: 10/10… Full Review »
  2. Daire
    Apr 13, 2021
    10
    absolutely love this project, its what i hoped to get when i first heard the albums announcement. it definitely lived up to my expectations.absolutely love this project, its what i hoped to get when i first heard the albums announcement. it definitely lived up to my expectations. easily my favourite album this year, sadly its their second last album.… Full Review »
  3. jizam
    Apr 10, 2021
    10
    Best release since Saturation 1. Brockhampton has shown such extreme versatility with this album that takes the listener through a wide rangeBest release since Saturation 1. Brockhampton has shown such extreme versatility with this album that takes the listener through a wide range of emotions.… Full Review »
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