Welcome 2 America
by Prince
  • Record Label: Legacy
  • Release Date: Jul 30, 2021
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 2, 2021
    60
    Most likely, the Minneapolitan knew this work was pleasant but unexceptional. ... This album sounds like it could’ve been made by anyone in the 1980s, back when only Prince made albums that sounded like the 2080s.
  2. AllMusic
    Aug 2, 2021
    60
    It's not a buried gem or a return to form but a snapshot of an excellent musician having a pretty good run in the studio.
  3. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 29, 2021
    60
    For three tracks of low-slung ambient funk (the title track), lounge jazz (“Running Game [Son of a Slave Master]”) and tired orchestral soul (“Born 2 Die”), every low expectation of the funk-pop legend’s late-career cast-offs is lived down to. ... Then he rediscovers his imaginative peak-era verve and Welcome 2 America becomes an unexpected blast.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. ashowka
    Aug 10, 2021
    7
    You can't review this album like a normal Prince release. He chose to shelve it - why? we'll never truly know? maybe its not finished butYou can't review this album like a normal Prince release. He chose to shelve it - why? we'll never truly know? maybe its not finished but whatever the reason is - he didn't want it out there. I prefer it to 20ten from the same year so am surprised it sat in the shelf in many ways. I see this release as bonus prince we all desperately want and choose to feel happy about it in every sense because we might have never heard it and am just grateful. objectively Prince has got a concoction of some great songs namely - W2A, Born 2 Die, same page different book, rin tin tin and a couple of others that are good but not amazing like check the record (this sounds like more of a hit and run song though) .. a solid album in that sense, the theme and lyrics give this extra points so just be happy we get to have this in our lives .. I am - and be happy prince tried to do something different and Curtis esc.
    ok - this album has some **** on it like hot summer which is also out of place . but that's ok we love prince for all his facets - remember don't judge the bad songs because prince didn't want you to hear them, none of the skips are that offensive and would have probably sounded great live.    … Full Review »
  2. jpowell28
    Aug 2, 2021
    7
    This is a good not great Prince album. I think he knew it or he would have released it. Although his work in the 2000s and 2010s was uneven,This is a good not great Prince album. I think he knew it or he would have released it. Although his work in the 2000s and 2010s was uneven, there were a lot of gems, even if he wasn't the best at self-promotion during that time. Albums such as Musicology, 3121, Lotusflow3r and Hit'n'Run 2 are all better albums, although this one does tower above TwentyTen and Hit 'n'Run 1 and is better and more funkier than Art Official Age. The best thing about it is is really does sound like it was recorded today - it is incredibly timely. The title song is a knockout, as is 1000 Light Years from Here. Despite inconsistency, every album he's ever done contains classic tunes.… Full Review »
  3. Jorgegalindo
    Aug 1, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Prince always surprises us, this time with a full album, one of his best works of the last decade, political, sensual, fun, it is a rainbow of emotions and melodies with prevalence of soul, funk and at times with a melodious pop… Full Review »
See all user reviews »