Smiling With No Teeth
by Genesis Owusu
Metascore
86

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 19, 2021
    90
    Owusu’s debut offering not only manages to deftly balance style with substance, but does so with a jubilance that gives as much reason to curl up your own most toothy grin. More importantly, it also offers moments of reflection.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Mar 19, 2021
    90
    It’s an album that’s easy to feel intimidated by at first listen, due to its sheer scale and ambition. However, after a few listens you’ll be in no doubt that Genesis Owusu is one of the most exciting names of the year.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 8, 2021
    86
    Although this is just his first album, I’m starting to think that in a few years nobody will need to drop a bevy of famous names in order to incite fervour for his music.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 29, 2021
    80
    The style/substance balance is a difficult one to negotiate -- "Whip Cracker" transitions from upstart energy to Daft Punk-ery with minimal grace, while flecks of futuristic dance don't quite land on "I Don't See Colour" -- but for the large part, Owusu is a blessing to his genres, gifting them with his vivid personality and potent narrative threads.
  6. Mojo
    Mar 19, 2021
    80
    Owusu is a charismatic anchor throughout this boundary-pushing debut. [Apr 2021, p.85]
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  7. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 19, 2021
    80
    With strong, clear-eyed subtext, overlaid by compositions that touch on every influence from TV on the Radio to Prince, Childish Gambino and Radiohead, Smiling With No Teeth is not so much an album as it is a memoir – a story both unique to Owusu and universal to anyone who has ever felt “othered”.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 19, 2021
    80
    With ‘Smiling With No Teeth’, Genesis Owusu has delivered a riveting album that underscores the power of self-knowledge, perspective and art – one that should be cranked loud.
  9. DIY Magazine
    Mar 19, 2021
    80
    At 15 tracks long, he occasionally falters under the weight of his own abundance, but there are so many great sweets in the pick’n’mix bag that you don’t really mind the odd underwhelming chew.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Album of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. whyidont
    Mar 25, 2021
    9
    The fairly unknown Genesis Owusu has released his debut album. And there is PROMISE. A lot of it.

    I've never heard of this guy before, and    The fairly unknown Genesis Owusu has released his debut album. And there is PROMISE. A lot of it.

    I've never heard of this guy before, and when I saw the neo-soul tag, I knew I had to listen to this. And I have no regrets. This has a sound I've never heard before, and I honestly think this might be taking AOTY for me. I'm very grateful that I can find new talent on this place, because this album is... well, great. It has a very sinister sound that I enjoy a lot, and there's def something here for everyone. If you like a more gritty sound, "On The Move!" is for you. If you like a more neo-soul sound, "Drown" is for you. This album does not fail to impress, for such a new talent in the R&B/Hip-Hop scene, I am very surprised. The instrumentals are some of the most creative I've seen on a debut, and although this album is all over the place in how it flows, it doesn't matter much, because this has some of the best polish I've seen on a debut, or on any record for that matter. It's obvious that this guy will be going big sooner or later, and this record is great. It's like Frank Ocean, Death Grips, and Steve Lacy had this amazing collaboration, and the way this record works and flows is mind boggling. Do I recommend this record? Yes. This guy is amazing, and it's a must hear for any hip-hop/R&B fan.

    REPLAY VALUE: HIGH

    FAVORITE TRACKS: GOLD CHAINS, ON THE MOVE!, THE OTHER BLACK DOG, WAITIN' ON YA, SMILING WITH NO TEETH, I DON'T SEE COLOUR, DON'T NEED YOU

    LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: DROWN    … Full Review »
  2. IcePlosion
    Jan 7, 2022
    9
    One of the best albums of 2021 by far. Absolute hidden gem. Sure, there are some swingy songs in the middle, but it starts off strong and endsOne of the best albums of 2021 by far. Absolute hidden gem. Sure, there are some swingy songs in the middle, but it starts off strong and ends off very strong. Fantastic album which should not be missed.… Full Review »
  3. plw_
    Sep 24, 2021
    8
    Great production and versatility from an underrated artist. Excited to see what he does next. One of the best if not the best hip hop album this year.
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