This Unruly Mess I've Made
by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 153
  3. Negative: 34 out of 153
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  1. proterospongia
    Feb 26, 2016
    6
    As the title indicates, The Unruly Mess I've Made is messy and sounds a little confused. Lyrically, it is more well-centered than The Heist: Macklemore has some undeniable talent. Musically, the album sounds even more bland than their previous work: Ryan Lewis production may be well-executed, but it's boring and conventional. Although the album is a genuine effort, the duo is better atAs the title indicates, The Unruly Mess I've Made is messy and sounds a little confused. Lyrically, it is more well-centered than The Heist: Macklemore has some undeniable talent. Musically, the album sounds even more bland than their previous work: Ryan Lewis production may be well-executed, but it's boring and conventional. Although the album is a genuine effort, the duo is better at being fun than they are at being political.

    Best Tracks: Light Tunnels (feat. Mike Slap), White Privilege II (feat. Jamila Woods)    … Expand
  2. CosmicPaint
    Feb 28, 2016
    6
    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' sophomore album reaches to be great but ended up being something much more subdued. Following the aftermath of their success with The Heist, Grammy wins and infamously "robbing" Kendrick of Best Rap Album, Macklemore confides in us the struggle to identify the voice he has within the hip hop community as a white man, a theme that starts from the opening songMacklemore and Ryan Lewis' sophomore album reaches to be great but ended up being something much more subdued. Following the aftermath of their success with The Heist, Grammy wins and infamously "robbing" Kendrick of Best Rap Album, Macklemore confides in us the struggle to identify the voice he has within the hip hop community as a white man, a theme that starts from the opening song Light Tunnels and ends with White Privilege II. As a concept, this would make for the album he needed to prove to the rap community that he is someone worth listening to, but sadly fizzles while meandering through others ideas present on this record.
    Before getting into it too much, let me just say that Ryan Lewis' production is the highlight of this album. To contrast much of the seriousness that Macklemore brings, he balances a warmth that is reminiscent of some of his work off the VS EP, while heavily improving upon the composition seen in the Heist, notably the inclusion of guitars and other strings, using the latter to invoke a cinematic feel at times.
    This album's strength lies in those moments where Macklemore is introspective, on songs such as Growing Up ft. Ed Sheeran, St. Ides, and Kevin ft. Leon Bridges, where he channels the rage left off from Otherside, a song off the VS EP. However, songs such as Let's Eat, and Brad Pitt's Cousin give the listener whiplash as the tone suddenly changes from contemplative on the previous track to "hey don't be too serious!". It's these songs that cheapen the album that I could do without, but it wouldn't be a Macklemore album without these moments.
    The stand out track for me Buckshot, with features from DJ Premier and KRS-One. The beat goes hard from the start, obviously a throwback to old school east coast hip hop. It's this exploration of Macklemore's roots and new sounds that should have been focused on more than anything else.
    Speaking of DJ Premier and KRS-One, this album had some amazing feature artists, from YG to Anderson .Paak, whose album "Malibu" I really enjoyed. And how the heck did he get Idris Elba on a track? Unfortunately, he failed to use the features properly in any song, as each artist trudged through whatever Macklemore wanted to have done. Chance the Rapper, usually the one to have fun, feels stiff in Need to Know, and Anderson .Paak barely gets a verse! What a waste.
    My final thoughts on this album, is that it really was unruly mess. It lacks coherence from track to track, but only by Ryan Lewis' production does it somehow mesh sonically. In truth, this album is not meant for the avid hip hop head, but it doesn't mean it was misguided by any means. What I find remarkable about Macklemore is his ability to draw in listeners and start a conversation. This album is meant for newcomers to the hip hop genre, and this album serves as a gateway to understanding the hip hop community and the struggles that originated this genre of music and its culture. If it makes the audience uncomfortable, Macklemore has done his job, and that's what he does so well.    … Expand
  3. hp20047
    Feb 10, 2018
    6
    Honest, and, while the songs and beats themselves are as good as the Heist (with the exception of Growing Up feat. Ed Sheeran, probably my favorite Macklemore song), the honest (and sometimes amusing, like in Let's Eat) lyrics make up for that.
  4. cdsmusicchart
    Feb 26, 2016
    5
    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' 'This Unruly Mess I've Made" falls short of their debut collection 'The Heist', largely due to a lack of wow factor and absence of a strong stand out single. Unlike 'Heist', which soared on the wings of soulful guest vocals and balanced verses, this album is tired. It's bloated and uninspired. Essentially it's a tri-mash between a collection of popular songs,Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' 'This Unruly Mess I've Made" falls short of their debut collection 'The Heist', largely due to a lack of wow factor and absence of a strong stand out single. Unlike 'Heist', which soared on the wings of soulful guest vocals and balanced verses, this album is tired. It's bloated and uninspired. Essentially it's a tri-mash between a collection of popular songs, 'Heist' and a kiddie album lacking in lyrical depth.

    At its soulful and genuine points it impresses, but flounders in its chunky lyricism and overtly political content. A decent effort but ultimately disappointing from a duo that spawned the multi platinum stylings seen on their much more creative debut.    … Expand
  5. SchroederRock
    Apr 2, 2016
    6
    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis don't recapture the magic of their big coming out party on The Heist. Instead, This Unruly Mess I've Made is a back-and-forth between catchy raps and meddling melodies that have musical backings that come off unruly and just all-over-the-place - all of which made enjoying this album a bit tougher than I would have expected. "Light Tunnels", "Downtown" and "DanceMacklemore and Ryan Lewis don't recapture the magic of their big coming out party on The Heist. Instead, This Unruly Mess I've Made is a back-and-forth between catchy raps and meddling melodies that have musical backings that come off unruly and just all-over-the-place - all of which made enjoying this album a bit tougher than I would have expected. "Light Tunnels", "Downtown" and "Dance Off" are easy favorites, showcasing the allure that made Macklemore such a big name a couple years back. "Kevin" is an old-school funk/gospel-march cut that carries a lot of cool for how subtle it is. "Growing Up" brings in the big name for the album: Ed Sheeran, and has a lot of that Sam Smith groovy soul vibe. But then there's cuts like "Buckshot" which drone and come off more dreary or boring than anything else. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are more interested at times at forcing a message across in such serious tones when their best talents shine bright when the mood is more fun and witty. See "White Privilege", a big political-correctness gut-checker that lasts 8 mins, 46 sec. and phases through a few different song styles. That's not to say it isn't likable, but this pair is pretty bent on making big statements even if those statements have a place in the music. They don't always translate to meaningful songs like this duo did with "Same Love". Some people will still find a lot to love on This Unruly Mess I've Made, but others like myself will probably find a little more disconnect with the album. There's not as much immediacy to its likability, not as much of the big flash that gets backed with iron-clad writing and production. If The Heist would have been Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' debut, this would have been their sophomore slump. The good news is that this isn't actually a slump, just a less-impressive showing from an artists that prides himself in having something to say, having a love for his local scene and keeping things mostly independent from the big music labels.… Expand
  6. Cypher_ATL
    Mar 4, 2016
    6
    This album as a whole sums up to one word for me: average. This is an average album, nothing terrible, nothing amazing, but it’s definitely a middle of the road project. I was very interested with how Macklemore was going to approach up to this project as, especially after the release of White Privilege II, but what I got was what I expected which was a decent album. I don’t really askThis album as a whole sums up to one word for me: average. This is an average album, nothing terrible, nothing amazing, but it’s definitely a middle of the road project. I was very interested with how Macklemore was going to approach up to this project as, especially after the release of White Privilege II, but what I got was what I expected which was a decent album. I don’t really ask much of Mack, but I am definitely pleased with Ryan Lewis’ production on this project. My favorite songs on the album are Need to Know, Buckshot, and Bolo Tie, I thought those three hit very hard compared to the others, and in my eyes were standout tracks. The three lackluster songs on this album on the other hand in my opinion were Let’s Eat, Brad Pitt’s Cousin, and Dance Off. Although I enjoyed listening to Dance Off, I feel that the song is just completely pointless and has no value compared to the rest of the album.… Expand
  7. swagkonyjohnson
    Mar 15, 2016
    5
    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' 2nd album, This Unruly Mess I've Made, a follow up to their 2012 album The Heist, is a valiant attempt at consciousness and humor, but unfortunately, it's also an extremely corny one.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2016
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 24, 2016
    50
    Though This Unruly Mess I’ve Made is decent, its biggest failing lies in its quality control. For every good song, there are two mediocre and/or forgettable ones next to them.
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  2. Pretty Much Amazing
    Mar 18, 2016
    50
    “Kevin” and “White Privilege II”, obvious attempts to spark political discourse, see an artist not afraid to speak his mind. It makes meme-chasing moments like “Brad Pitt’s Cousin” and “Dance-Off” all the more forgettable.
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  3. RapReviews.com
    Mar 15, 2016
    75
    Despite some lyrical flaws here and there, it still shines.
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