The Ascent
by Wiley
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. BBC Music
    Apr 2, 2013
    70
    While keeping his music fantastically fresh and of the moment, this often causes a speedy ageing process.
  2. Pitchfork
    Apr 2, 2013
    62
    It seems boring and a bit lazy to say that Wiley sounds best when he’s still offering up recognisable grime tunes, but it’s undeniable that on The Ascent the strongest of such efforts capture the rapper in his best light.
  3. Uncut
    Apr 2, 2013
    70
    It's the bruised and pensive love songs, such as "Broken Thoughts" and "Ninja," and the sci-fi sleaze of "Chainsaw," that stick and make The Ascent a contrived pop product with its heart and mind intact. [May 20113, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. musicOMH.com
    Apr 2, 2013
    70
    There may be a general lack of aggression or grit this time round, but this is more than countered by an impressive selection of songs.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. JGreenwoodW
    Jun 8, 2013
    8
    Been a fan of Wiley's for years now and this album does not disappoint.
    Wiley brings back his grime roots on songs like First Class, Chainsaw    Been a fan of Wiley's for years now and this album does not disappoint.
    Wiley brings back his grime roots on songs like First Class, Chainsaw and Sillzone, has the club raving with Heatwave, Can You Hear Me?, Reload and Lights On and has his own classic ESKIBEAT sound with Humble Pie, Rubicon Ninja and Broken Thoughts. With only one truly shocking song (So Alive) the rest is no more then filler with some current big names (My Heart feat. Emeli Sande & French Montana, Tomorrow feat. Megaman and Hands In The Air feat. Tulisa).
    But the album was well worth the money with well over the majority being a hit with this old Wiley fan and will go down as his album that gave him that icon number one single (Heatwave) and will be a classic in his catalogue of albums.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »