Watching Movies with the Sound Off
by Mac Miller
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Jun 18, 2013
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 20, 2013
    60
    [He's tempered] his earlier frat-boy laddishness with some gentler introspection and a keen ear for beats. [Sep 2013, p.107]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. NOW Magazine
    Jul 8, 2013
    60
    While the exceptional company he keeps (see appearance by Earl Sweatshirt and the elusive Jay Electronica) sometimes highlights his shortcomings as an emcee, Miller’s guests also push him to be better.
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jun 17, 2013
    57
    Watching Movies With The Sound Off is a necessary step that is going to get him there [to be a truly good artist], but it isn't a strong enough statement to make that case for him.
  5. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 17, 2013
    40
    Here, his delivery and beats are pretty dull. More tedious still is the misogyny.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 150 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 121 out of 150
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 150
  3. Negative: 12 out of 150
  1. hiphopguru
    Jun 21, 2013
    1
    This album sounds like noise. There are about 3 good songs on the entire album. Mac Millers lyrics might have gotten better but his productionThis album sounds like noise. There are about 3 good songs on the entire album. Mac Millers lyrics might have gotten better but his production suffered a lot. He needs to go back to his roots and stop going mainstream.… Full Review »
  2. devinmusic
    Jun 18, 2013
    8
    In Mac Miller's debut album, it was clear that he had not quite found a style of his own, a style he was comfortable with and that appealed toIn Mac Miller's debut album, it was clear that he had not quite found a style of his own, a style he was comfortable with and that appealed to an audience. Starting with the mixtape Macadelic, and continuing through features and randomly released songs, Miller slowly began to change his style and his efforts have paid off in Watching Movies With the Sound Off. While he has not appeared to completely discover his place in hip-hop yet, this album gives fans and critics alike a sense that he has cemented a place in the genre, an isn't leaving any time soon. The album's lead-off, "The Star Room" is a perfect intro to a great album. In Blue Slide Park, it felt as if the whole album was one big filler track, but here we see great lyricism and flow. One thing I could do without on the album however is the over-use of vocal pitching, Miller often pitches his voice down in parts where it would sound better normal tone. In some parts of the album it seems Miller gets lazy, with yawner tracks like "Someone Like You" and "Youforia". There is a little something for everyone in this album, with high-energy "Watching Movies" and 'Red Dot Music", and more calm tracks like "Avian", "Objects in the Mirror" and "Suplexes Inside of Complexes and Duplexes". While I don't think it would be right for him to sell out and just make catchy hook songs, I think atleast 1 or 2 anthem style songs that would get chart success would delve him into further territories in both monetary gain and he would gain more fans. Overall, in Watching Movies With the Sound Off, we see a more open Mac, sometimes self-pitying, and a Mac that is still changing. Expect albums in the future to continue to evolve, and himself as an artist to grow and prosper.… Full Review »
  3. fraspi
    Jun 18, 2013
    5
    I dont get the praise. I hated his first album and I find myself bored at the end of WMWTSO listening session. There are few standout tracksI dont get the praise. I hated his first album and I find myself bored at the end of WMWTSO listening session. There are few standout tracks (especially Objects in Mirror) but besides that, album is filled with corny punchlines, nonsense metaphors and rhymes about getting high and fu***g bit***s. And we dont need any other young rapper with "shock value".… Full Review »
See all user reviews »