Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Uncut
    Jul 28, 2011
    60
    Exec producer JR Hutson's scratch beats and jazzy interpolations give a spark to velvet soul confessionals where he aching but pliant, octave-scaling vocal colours across the emotional spectrum. [Aug 2011, p.98]
  2. I agree, men are dogs. But it gets my radar in a lather when this loving, lovable woman structures her 2007 album along a break-up's narrative arc and then four years later the same thing happens twice‑-only the first guy leaves her with a boychild who, let's be candid, she loves more unreservedly than she has any grown man on record.
  3. Jul 6, 2011
    60
    At 14 tracks, The Light of the Sun would have fared better if cut by three or four numbers. But that's why god invented the skip button.
  4. Jun 30, 2011
    80
    There's nothing cerebral about her lyrics; she's a captivating, blunt performer, here emphasizing classic arrangements and raw emotion over poetic invention.
  5. Jun 27, 2011
    90
    Her dexterity in juxtaposing genres, infusing her swooping jazz-singing with near-gospel fervor, kittenish moans and shameless spoken exhortations is commanding.
  6. Jun 27, 2011
    70
    At times The Light of the Sun veers towards self-indulgence, and some of its ideas are not fully followed through. On the whole, however, it is a rather lovely, emotional album that provides a beguiling snapshot of the current life of Jill Scott.
  7. 40
    Judging by The Light Of The Sun, she's expending precious little energy on songwriting and recording, allowing her natural inclination to extemporise far too free a rein.
  8. Jun 24, 2011
    80
    Sonically, the most adventurous thing here is the long, spaced-out Le Boom Vent Suite, but it's Scott's warm womanliness over the whole album that makes it a must-hear.
  9. Jun 24, 2011
    40
    Lolloping along with little desire to vary pace or style, it is ultimately forgettable.
  10. Jun 21, 2011
    80
    As with her previous works, Scott makes music on her own terms and she isn't interested in hook/chorus factory-produced songwriting. Intermittently, Scott veers from the warm, intimate keyboard-based sound that has dominated much of her work. When she does, it's inspired.
  11. Jun 21, 2011
    60
    Scott assays life back on the market in her trademark warm and inviting, if rarely thrilling, neo-soul style.
  12. Jun 20, 2011
    80
    On The Light of the Sun, Scott sounds more in control than ever; her spoken and sung phrasing (now a trademark), songwriting, and production instincts are all solid. This is 21st century Philly soul at its best.
  13. Jun 20, 2011
    80
    The intimate and the instructive are never far apart for Ms. Scott; neither are lyrics and prose, melody and recitation.
  14. Jun 20, 2011
    70
    Scott has reasserted herself as a relevant voice in modern R&B, a voice imbued with the sort of sensuality and worldliness that arrives only with experience, and she proves she's just as willing to experiment as her younger competition.
  15. 83
    Here, she returns to R&B like she never left: With its earnest introspection and earthy 
 textures - not to mention guest spots by Eve and Anthony Hamilton - The Light of the Sun has a distinctly early-aughties vibe, recalling an era when tempos were slower and voices less Auto-Tuney.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Jun 30, 2011
    9
    HA. 73, huh? For a rock-steady Jill Scott record?

    Well, perhaps relatedly or unrelatedly, there seems to be a disappointing number of white
    HA. 73, huh? For a rock-steady Jill Scott record?

    Well, perhaps relatedly or unrelatedly, there seems to be a disappointing number of white listeners who really don't quite get it, especially when a brilliant black woman sings about love, happiness and kicking ass. Oh, which reminds me - If I could write a personal note to Jill Scott, it would be: "Pretty please, could you record a cover of 'Love & Happiness?' Eternally yours, A."

    This album is excellent.
    Full Review »
  2. Nov 28, 2012
    10
    Beautiful. This record has so much personality and depth to it, personally it deserves a 10. I would like to mention that this record furtherBeautiful. This record has so much personality and depth to it, personally it deserves a 10. I would like to mention that this record further emphasises Jill Scott's neo soul style yet being so fearless of introducing new genres for her fans e.g jazz, gospel and her spoken word interlude 'Womanifesto' is a breath of fresh air for all of us. The order of the album is perfect and strategically placed. For example Quick and Making You Wait, two tracks where its form reflects the content of the track, played back to back illustrating the time/patience theme. Blessed as the introductory song updates her listener on her life and reminds us that the simple things in life are truly blessed. And Rolling Hills, a song, its theme is reminiscent of Lauryn Hills' Doo Wop (that thing), summarizes The Light of The Sun message, which I'll let the reader make their own message because the album is that universal.
    Favourite song: Shame Best instrumentation: So gone (what my mind says)
    Best Lyrics: Hear My Call
    Catchy melody: Le Boom Vent Suite
    Most fun: Quick
    Full Review »
  3. Oct 27, 2011
    9
    I very proud of her. Her first number one album. A good album, but it's not her best. I'm a big fan of Jill Scott and this album proves way.I very proud of her. Her first number one album. A good album, but it's not her best. I'm a big fan of Jill Scott and this album proves way. Her voice sounds very soulful and sexy. Keep up the good work, Ms. Scott. Full Review »