• Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 14, 2016
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 95
  2. Negative: 18 out of 95
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  1. Oct 15, 2016
    9
    Kings Of Leon were often on my playlists and I really like this album. I don't think its an reinvention or something, but it's good. I feel like some songs have that "anthem" thing that made them famous, like "Waste a Moment", but also they still have that old feeling from the two firsts albums.
  2. Oct 14, 2016
    8
    While not a complete reinvention of their style, WALLS finds a much more consistent and focused Kings of Leon than we have seen before, the result of which is their most mature album yet.

    In recruiting producer Markus Dravs, the album finds a much glossier production than we are accustomed to seeing from the Kings. This extra layer of sound both enhances and detracts from the band,
    While not a complete reinvention of their style, WALLS finds a much more consistent and focused Kings of Leon than we have seen before, the result of which is their most mature album yet.

    In recruiting producer Markus Dravs, the album finds a much glossier production than we are accustomed to seeing from the Kings. This extra layer of sound both enhances and detracts from the band, certain to ruffle the feathers of some loyal listeners, but where Dravs has really succeed is in pushing the band to find the heart of every song. Each song has its own purpose, its own sound, something that is even more impressive when you notice the surprising amount of cohesion in the album. WALLS flows from beginning to end, hitting its high peaks and emotional valleys with a sense of ease. While their past two efforts have seen the band on autopilot, here we find them climbing into the driver's seat and taking us for a journey.

    WALLS isn't going to change the face of music or galvanize its listeners like earlier efforts from the Kings, but if this is the first step in a new era for the band, as they claim it is, then we can expect great things to come.
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  3. Oct 14, 2016
    10
    Após três anos se passarem desde Mechanical Bull, os agora adultos de Nashville estão mais que prontos para retornar com o peito inflado e cantar sobre o amor. Em se tratando de gênero e estilo adotado na obra, WALLS se parece muito com a jovialidade apresentada no álbum de 2013, que somente o amor pode proporcionar, mas ao mesmo tempo se distancia por ter uma temática bem distinta. WALLSApós três anos se passarem desde Mechanical Bull, os agora adultos de Nashville estão mais que prontos para retornar com o peito inflado e cantar sobre o amor. Em se tratando de gênero e estilo adotado na obra, WALLS se parece muito com a jovialidade apresentada no álbum de 2013, que somente o amor pode proporcionar, mas ao mesmo tempo se distancia por ter uma temática bem distinta. WALLS não é um álbum tradicional de rock, e nem foi feito pra ser dessa forma, tampouco não é um álbum que irá permanecer na mídia por longos tempos, WALLS é simplesmente um álbum para ser escutado em horas mais oportunas. Algumas melodias soam velhas e ao mesmo tempo atuais, essa contradição gerada e estabelecida pelo álbum é a parte que muito impressiona no conjunto. Expand
  4. Oct 16, 2016
    7
    before this album, they keep going downhill. but i think after WALLS, they are on the track after dowhill's at rollercoster. just my opinion. adding to speak on this album every track of this album was OVERPRODUCED. especially no.1, 3, 5, 6, 7.
  5. Jan 17, 2017
    8
    Any band that gets to album number 7 in the 21st century deservers a pat on the back. KOL's output has been patch over the since the commercial but in my opinion highly enjoyable "Only By The Night". Subsequent albums "Come Around Sundown" and "Mechanical Bull" had decent moments but both were heavily watered down and almost rock by numbers. The cynics will bundle "WALLS" into the sameAny band that gets to album number 7 in the 21st century deservers a pat on the back. KOL's output has been patch over the since the commercial but in my opinion highly enjoyable "Only By The Night". Subsequent albums "Come Around Sundown" and "Mechanical Bull" had decent moments but both were heavily watered down and almost rock by numbers. The cynics will bundle "WALLS" into the same category but I think that is a tad unfair. "Walls" has got the hooks and the atmosphere that has been missing in recent years. It's also the bands most consistent record from start to finish since the aforementioned "Only By The Night". The quality drops a little towards the end as the tempo drops but the songwriting on "WALLS" is the best the band have come up with in quite some time. Expand
  6. Oct 19, 2016
    7
    Really more commercial than the others albums so far... But still being KOL, not the best Kraut rock band ever, but it's Kings of Leon. It keeps on repeat as the lastest and with this popfull sound though be so long till over it.
  7. Oct 21, 2016
    8
    Been with the Kings since close to the start and have always loved the raw, care free, slick, southern rock sound. There is no doubt that many external contributions have played a part in diminishing their sound over the years but then again that is a fundamental reason why the world has been given Rock Music. Maybe if they keep progressing into this new direction...we might just see themBeen with the Kings since close to the start and have always loved the raw, care free, slick, southern rock sound. There is no doubt that many external contributions have played a part in diminishing their sound over the years but then again that is a fundamental reason why the world has been given Rock Music. Maybe if they keep progressing into this new direction...we might just see them back with the best. Expand
  8. Nov 7, 2016
    7
    I think this is most mainstream Kings of Leon record yet but I think current fans will still be pleased with it. I find the guitar work to be very similar to U2. The first half of the album is really built for live performances with sing along choruses. There is a bit of a shift for the back half of the album but there are still some very good moments. There aren't any songs on this albumsI think this is most mainstream Kings of Leon record yet but I think current fans will still be pleased with it. I find the guitar work to be very similar to U2. The first half of the album is really built for live performances with sing along choruses. There is a bit of a shift for the back half of the album but there are still some very good moments. There aren't any songs on this albums that hit as hard as Use Somebody or Sex is on Fire but I think its very consistent with enough variation through 10 tracks. We will be hearing Waste a Moment on radio stations for at least a few months and there are several other tracks that deserve attention on the radio as well.

    I highlight Waste a Moment, Around the World, Find Me, Over, Wild and WALLS.
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  9. Oct 19, 2016
    7
    Maybe not a classic compared to Because of Times or Youth & Young Manhood but this is still a decent album. People need to lower their expectations and just appreciate good modern rock music which is rare in today's mainstream music scene. Tracks are well mixed and this album will grow with every listen. "Find me" and "Eyes on you" are my favorite tracks. What are yours ?
  10. Apr 10, 2017
    7
    Can't say I enjoyed it as much as I did any of their previous albums, but it's still an easy and enjoyable listen. My favorites are definitely over and walls.
  11. Jan 11, 2018
    7
    The music album ranges from fun, effective, and powerful to unimpressive and unmemorable. "Over" has amazing music and good lyrics. "Walls", "Muchacho", and "Conversation" have effective, enjoyable slow lyrics. "Reverend" has a good chorus, amplified by the music and vocals. Most of the songs on WALLS have weak, weird, pointless lyrics. "Waste A Moment", "Muchacho" and "Over" are welcomeThe music album ranges from fun, effective, and powerful to unimpressive and unmemorable. "Over" has amazing music and good lyrics. "Walls", "Muchacho", and "Conversation" have effective, enjoyable slow lyrics. "Reverend" has a good chorus, amplified by the music and vocals. Most of the songs on WALLS have weak, weird, pointless lyrics. "Waste A Moment", "Muchacho" and "Over" are welcome exceptions, and all bring some memorable lines to the table. I have listened to this album many times, and it has a nice, peaceful, pleasant effect on my brain. WALLS isn't great or very clever, but it is an easy, pleasant album. Expand
  12. Jun 21, 2018
    8
    This isn’t kings of Leon’s best album but it is a very good listen. Favourite tracks, waste a moment, find me, muchaho, eyes on you and wild.
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Magnet
    Nov 16, 2016
    85
    Walls could be their portal to lingering greatness. [No. 137, p.57]
  2. Nov 7, 2016
    60
    Although this album does replicate almost everything they’ve created it has that sense of maturity about it, showing that over the sixteen years they’ve moved on from their rebellious teen stage.
  3. Mojo
    Oct 28, 2016
    60
    Walls is not a lovable album but if Kings Of Leon would rather be taken seriously these days, instead of simply being adored, they have put down a solid foundation. [Dec 2016, p.89]