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The London Sessions Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: The R&B singer worked with Disclosure, Jimmy Napes, Naughty Boy, Sam Romans, Emeli Sandé, and Sam Smith during her month-long visit to London for her 13th studio release.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Dec 1, 2014
    88
    The result is her most vital album in years, one that not only carves out a niche for her in contemporary dance music but also digs deeply into her gospel and soul-ballad roots.
  2. Dec 4, 2014
    80
    The London Sessions just happens to have her best round of songs, productions, and performances since The Breakthrough.
  3. Mojo
    Dec 17, 2014
    80
    While The London Sessions takes her in fresh new directions, Blige's own identity remains the dominant flavour. [Jan 2015, p.98]
  4. Dec 1, 2014
    70
    Structural issues aside, the strength of the material on The London Session is enough to place the Queen back on track to relevance, after a number of less-inspired efforts had all but sapped her career momentum.
  5. 70
    Blige’s enthusiasm is most powerful on Follow.
  6. Dec 2, 2014
    70
    Too much of The London Sessions is given over to frisky house tracks like “Follow” and “Nobody But You,” which don’t hit nearly as hard as the rest, but Blige has maintained her fierce authority throughout.
  7. Dec 3, 2014
    40
    Too often does this Mary J. Blige record not actually feel like a Mary J. Blige record, and compounding that fundamental issue is the mere reality that so many of these songs piggyback the hottest genre of music in the world right now.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. May 18, 2018
    10
    Just a beautiful album full of new sounds and emotions poured into it. She brought my soulful house music to R&B back.
  2. Dec 3, 2014
    10
    Tell me one reason not to love this album; among all these pop stupid records, there is still a star who can produce music of quality.
    This
    Tell me one reason not to love this album; among all these pop stupid records, there is still a star who can produce music of quality.
    This is her best since Breakthrough, congratulations to her.
    Really beautigul.
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  3. Dec 2, 2014
    8
    This is a great album! Mary J. Blige did a great job with major producers and producers who are up in the UK. Really surprised me and got meThis is a great album! Mary J. Blige did a great job with major producers and producers who are up in the UK. Really surprised me and got me hooked. Simply captivating and beautiful.

    Favorites tracks: "Not Loving You", "Whole Damn Year" & "Nothing But You".
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  4. Mar 12, 2020
    3
    The idea of combining two different sounds is intriguing, but it just doesn't work here. The UK production seems a little cookie-cutterThe idea of combining two different sounds is intriguing, but it just doesn't work here. The UK production seems a little cookie-cutter dime-a-dozen. Her singing is good, but the production is pretty bland. Expand
  5. Dec 28, 2014
    0
    I apologise for those that like this album but it's just churned out trash. It's insta-pop like this that the record labels will keep heapingI apologise for those that like this album but it's just churned out trash. It's insta-pop like this that the record labels will keep heaping upon the masses who will only too eagerly buy them because they are considered "cool". Avoid! Expand