Special
by Lizzo
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jul 15, 2022
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 113
  3. Negative: 23 out of 113
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  1. Wanesta
    Jul 15, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With a lot of expectations on her back following the greatness of "Cuz I Love You", Lizzo returns with "Special" that seems like a parody of herself more than anything. Featuring either powerful anthems like the amazing title track, "Naked" and "The Sign", there's multiple embarrassing duds like "Grrrls", "Everybody's Gay" and "I Love You **** It's a bit everywhere, lacking focus and thus bringing down the quality of the record. Although it's not as charming as her debut studio album, it still works on the magical standouts songs… but only them sadly.

    5/10

    ///// SPOILER /////

    Honorable Mentions: The Sign, About Damn Time, Special, Naked, Break Up Twice

    Least Favorites: Grrrls, Everybody's Gay, I Love You **** If You Love Me    … Expand
  2. Sross1239
    Mar 15, 2023
    6
    While Lizzo continues her success and positive messages on this album, it overall comes up short of being a satisfying follow up to her previous album. The album takes less risks and many tracks end up sounding generic, although they are enjoyable. As a second major label project, it’s not terrible, but it lacks some of the creativity and unapologetic nature of Lizzo in the past few years.
  3. All_ButTrU4
    Jul 18, 2022
    4
    Lizzo is a beacon. She's an energetic, body positive and contagious eruption of joy. Her image is one of improvement in all facets of life and knowing that it's okay to not feel okay . Her 2019 major label succeeded because of this inimitable presence she casts and as this record shows this one should be. "Special " might not live up to it's name in terms of giving us a new side or soundLizzo is a beacon. She's an energetic, body positive and contagious eruption of joy. Her image is one of improvement in all facets of life and knowing that it's okay to not feel okay . Her 2019 major label succeeded because of this inimitable presence she casts and as this record shows this one should be. "Special " might not live up to it's name in terms of giving us a new side or sound of lizzo's but it sure does if it pertains to how it makes you feel. This record feels good to listen to ,beginning with a bubbling lizzo's saying **** ,did you miss me?" knowing just how much awfulness has happened between now and "Truth Hurts" . "The sign " is my favorite off the record because it's the most free she's sounded. The lead single "about damn time" had failed to resonate with me beyond the fact it wasn't awful but on the album it's a full fun confident wake up call . The third song is one of the worst I've heard from her and i don't think that because of it's slight controversy over containing a slur ,no. Instead it's because of how painful it sounds. It's nearly a parody with how thin the lyrics feel or how annoying the chorus just is,this being a single was a big mistake. Max Martin arrives to help usher in one of lizzo's catches songs 2beloved(im ready) . It's an earworm weirdly reminiscent of Adeles 30 (especially "can i get it") and it's just an all round romp. "I love you **** " is an inoffensive generic best friend anthem that i can enjoy but will most likely skip in the future but "break up twice " is a show stopper! Lauryn Hills Doo Wop (one thing) is interpolated to fantastic results… Expand
  4. hausoflilluis
    Jul 25, 2022
    6
    When I found out about the original concept of the album [rock and politic], I was a bit disappointed remembering the genres that are in the current project, according to critics. Throughout the LP, I heard a lot of things that sound like Cuz I Love You: body positivity, cursing, uncontrolled screaming and Hip-Hop with funk. I thought that Lizzo would improve musically, but I see that sheWhen I found out about the original concept of the album [rock and politic], I was a bit disappointed remembering the genres that are in the current project, according to critics. Throughout the LP, I heard a lot of things that sound like Cuz I Love You: body positivity, cursing, uncontrolled screaming and Hip-Hop with funk. I thought that Lizzo would improve musically, but I see that she has remained at the same point since 2019, which has benefited her in marketing. Perhaps, as an independent, she was doing better... The only thing that helped change my perspective was the final message on the "Special" edition of AppleMusic: an album made out of love for modern times. A good one, but it does not help to ascend.

    fav tracks: "Naked", "Birthday Girl", "Coldplay", "Special" & "Everybody's Gay"
    KEY-TRACK: "About Damn Time"    … Expand
  5. PEDROMFR
    Nov 27, 2022
    6
    Besides the important and positive messages, most of these songs sound outdated. With "Special" we all expected an evolution from Lizzo, a step forward in her career that was not just based on commercial success, but for me it didn´t achieved that goal. Lizzo's still a "singles" artist.
  6. bussylikecola
    Jul 16, 2022
    5
    I've been a huge fan of Lizzo's previous album and I am extremely disappointed with this album. The production was fun but the lyrics were horrible. Since this is a pop album, I didn't expect them to be outstanding; the problem was that they were bad even for a pop album. The titles are awful, remind me of t shirt slogans. She should have kept the sound of rumors. Also I cannot ignore howI've been a huge fan of Lizzo's previous album and I am extremely disappointed with this album. The production was fun but the lyrics were horrible. Since this is a pop album, I didn't expect them to be outstanding; the problem was that they were bad even for a pop album. The titles are awful, remind me of t shirt slogans. She should have kept the sound of rumors. Also I cannot ignore how this album is extremely short, like a lot of newer pop albums . Most of the tracks were underwhelming and just plain boring. I'm looking forward to a better one in the future.… Expand
  7. submnibiriyae
    Jul 15, 2022
    6
    Todas las canciones hablan de lo mismo, cambia de tema por favor. El álbum tiene tres canciones buenas. Hay que decir que los samples que tiene están bien usados, pero nada nuevo comparado con Cuz I Love You. Además, la mayoría de las canciones son iguales, y la escuchar el álbum es ABURRIDO. Se me hace más amena la escucha de Cuz I Love You o Big GRRRL Small World.
  8. javierp
    Aug 26, 2022
    5
    The songs are fun but it feels like it's the same one over and over again. I think this lowers the quality of a record that, regarding the expectations, could have been a smash project.
  9. cacau3435
    Aug 21, 2022
    6
    Sinto que ela tentou fazer um álbum Jazz/Rap/Dance, más não conseguiu inovar, seu último álbum Cuz I Love You deixou grandes expectativas para seu próximo álbum, não acho que foram atendidas.
  10. evandosf
    Jan 12, 2023
    5
    It's a 12-track compilation only made to somehow go viral on Tik Tok. Awful lyrics but good instrumentation, congrats to its producers.
  11. wojtekk
    Mar 16, 2023
    6
    Good album, nothing less and nothing more. First of all I'm a big Lizzo fan, totally love her! Album has no skips, however there are big differences in level of some songs. With Cuz i love you Lizzo had set the bar very high, sadly for Special album - too high. 2 be loved (am i ready), About damn time, Special, The Sign and even If you love me - these are the songs that carry the album.Good album, nothing less and nothing more. First of all I'm a big Lizzo fan, totally love her! Album has no skips, however there are big differences in level of some songs. With Cuz i love you Lizzo had set the bar very high, sadly for Special album - too high. 2 be loved (am i ready), About damn time, Special, The Sign and even If you love me - these are the songs that carry the album. Amazing tracks and each is an amazing job, rest might is a bit boring and only lyrics make them no-skip tracks. I hope next project will be a mix of Special AND Cuz i love you :))… Expand

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 25, 2022
    80
    Far from a rehash of Cuz I Love You, Special finds Lizzo revealing new layers to the genuine songwriting and generous spirit that has defined her music since the beginning.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 25, 2022
    80
    Musically, Special’s a bit of a retread. Lead single About Damn Time, with its Saturday-night, last-song-before-we-leave-the-house vibe, bounces on a similar podium to 2019’s Juice, and the title track boasts imperious orchestration, just as it did on Cuz I Love You. But it works.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Jul 21, 2022
    64
    In its effort to reach the masses, Special has the unfortunate fault of both trying too hard to hit the zeitgeist—like the nonsensical Tesla metaphor on opener “The Sign”—and striving for pure blahtitude. ... In fact, when it comes to happiness, some of the most satisfying songs on Special—the ones that come closest to finding inner peace—are also the most subdued.
    Read full review
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