The Off-Season
by J. Cole
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 158 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 158
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 158
  3. Negative: 10 out of 158
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  1. 94SupremePosse
    May 18, 2021
    5
    A record that seems to come and go, in one ear and out the other. It doesn't push any boundaries and doesn't seem to show any regression either. Seems to fit the tag "run of the mill" quite well.
  2. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    6
    while j. cole's expert production is still prominent, it feels as if he focuses more on a mainstream style that doesn't work for everyone.

    best song: hunger on hillside

    worst song: applying preasure
  3. Joffnatic
    May 27, 2022
    6
    I don't get it. J. Cole does not impress me on this one, and I was expecting something great after watching the documentary and the process behind the making of this album, but there's not really any significant on this that will push the genre forward at all. It's decent at best, and I somewhat enjoyed it, however grew tired of it very quickly. Morray does a great job though.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. RapReviews.com
    Jul 13, 2021
    75
    There’s a very real, dare I say relatable feel to Cole’s music that “The Off Season” continues to highlight. Unfortunately, it’s a few songs short of being a great album as Cole experiments with some different styles of production that aren’t always successful. Cole’s nearly-man mentality produces a nearly-great album.
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  2. HipHopDX
    Jun 3, 2021
    76
    Despite the casualness of everything, The Off-Season still earns buckets from the level of microphone craftsmanship he’s developed for himself and the melodies it brings.
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  3. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 1, 2021
    74
    His performance on The Off-Season will have hip-hop oldheads smiling, nodding, reminiscing on days of old. ... The lack of any poignant through-line either sonically or thematically will have bespectacled journalists shaking their heads and talking about how Kendrick does it better.
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