Wildheart
by Miguel
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jun 29, 2015
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 127 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 141
  3. Negative: 9 out of 141
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  1. rmorris110489
    Jun 29, 2015
    10
    Short Review: Wildheart is amazing and once again proves that Miguel knows how to create great music. Miguel’s confidence shines through and Wildheart pushes Miguel's further into his own lane as a R&B maverick. My Personal Favorites: The Valley, Waves, …goingtohell, Coffee, and Destinado A Morir. Rating:10/10

    Long Review: I should start this review by saying that I believe    Short Review: Wildheart is amazing and once again proves that Miguel knows how to create great music. Miguel’s confidence shines through and Wildheart pushes Miguel's further into his own lane as a R&B maverick. My Personal Favorites: The Valley, Waves, …goingtohell, Coffee, and Destinado A Morir. Rating:10/10

    Long Review: I should start this review by saying that I believe Kaleidoscope Dream is one of the best R&B albums of the last decade. It is also important to note that Kaleidoscope Dream is one of my favorite albums of all time. This should paint how unrealistic my expectations were going into Wildheart. I was 100% expecting Miguel to float down from heaven and sing long lost chapters of the Holy Bible. In other words, I thought Miguel was about to change my life.

    My expectations were tempered after his EP and a few singles. Miguel was still giving me the music equivalent of silk sheets with Coffee and Simple Things, but both songs felt like lateral steps from Kaleidoscope Dream.

    After Wildheart dropped I knew he had done it again. *Warning Rant Coming*: R&B wasn’t always about vapid DJ Mustard style bangers (sorry Chris Brown) or one dimensional baby making music (sorry R. Kelly). On the other hand truly visionary albums like Kendrick’s “TPAB”, Lupe’s “Tetsuo & Youth”, and D’Angelo’s “Black Messiah” are marred by their abrasiveness. It seems to me like a lot of the recently critically praised albums are somewhat hard to listen to. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” proves that socially conscience urban music does not have to be abrasive. Miguel is not Marvin Gaye just yet, but he does his best to give me sophisticated beauty on Wildheart. *Rant Over*

    The first words we hear from Miguel are: “Don't ever sell yourself short, sell your acceptance." This sets up listeners perfectly for what is to come. Miguel takes us on a tour through Cali from his and only his eyes.

    Miguel takes us through atypical R&B topics like growing up mixed race (What’s Normal Anyway) and Tinseltown delusion (Hollywood Dreams), but what sets this album apart is his take on typical topics. Fame, Sex, Drugs, and Money are all handled on this album, but are all done in Miguel’s unique style. Listen to “The Valley” for an example. On the surface this is just a slow jam about sex. While this is indeed a slow jam, and is for sure about sex, there is more at play. The lyrics are dirty. The sex is not romantic. It’s formulaic. It’s uncomfortable. It’s raw. It's San Fernando in all of its porn industry glory. This takes a raunchy song and gives it just a little something more.

    Maybe I am overthinking this album. Maybe I am not putting enough thought into it. My advice is to buy this and form your own opinion. I support Miguel because this is talent that doesn’t get support in the music industry every day. I even bought a physical CD, so you know the admiration is real. Rating:10/10    … Expand
  2. Eniall8or
    Jun 30, 2015
    9
    Miguel is pushing the genre of R&B to a new place.His 2012 record Kaleidoscope Dream was a very good record but I feel as though this record represents real progression for Miguel.
  3. rubenseaton
    Jul 10, 2015
    5
    The sexy songs aren't sexy. The poppy songs aren't poppy. The vocals aren't interesting and the instrumentals are hollow. Not a very convincing statement for the man who said he was making better music than Frank Ocean...
  4. bruhfromthela
    Jul 6, 2015
    9
    This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in aThis album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good. This album is a perfected R&B in a psychdelic way. its beautiful good.… Expand
  5. mc_ryn
    Jul 8, 2015
    10
    Wildheart continues Miguel's quest to conquer r&b. His flow and structure of the songs is built to perfection. Every song on this album is built to send a strong message. Over the top production alongside precision execution, Miguel deserves praise with the effort and talent he brings to the table. Miguel is progressing r&b to a new level. I love it.
  6. arifeelsitall
    Jul 19, 2015
    8
    Highly recommended, a must-listen for 2015. Not your typical r&b/soul album: Wildheart is boundless. Its a master mix of post-genre, synth, alternative, ethereal-dreamlike soul..the best way I can describe it. Here, Miguel explores all the good stuff: lush synth-dream tones and a distinct, un-apologetic showcase of altenerative/indie rock influence at the backbone of a few tracks (guitarHighly recommended, a must-listen for 2015. Not your typical r&b/soul album: Wildheart is boundless. Its a master mix of post-genre, synth, alternative, ethereal-dreamlike soul..the best way I can describe it. Here, Miguel explores all the good stuff: lush synth-dream tones and a distinct, un-apologetic showcase of altenerative/indie rock influence at the backbone of a few tracks (guitar riffs in "leaves", Lenny Kravitz solo runs in "face the sun").. dressed-down with "trademark" Miguel-esque warmth + lyricism (boldly seen in: the valley, coffee..) to give you one of the most style-eclectic, and sonically satisfying albums of right now and easily the best yet from Miguel's discography thus far. No hasty generalizations can be made to define Wildheart, and that's what I think makes it the most compelling. Cover-to-cover, it can resonate with anyone who listens. It's an easy spin and easy favorite.… Expand
  7. DonovanKoen25
    Aug 15, 2015
    8
    I must say this is the first time I actually listened to his music, on my way into work today the radio was playing "Coffee" and I was hooked! I am now busy listening to the other tracks on his album! Must say I do not regret buying this album today!!!! Love it!
  8. rm1989
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    Short Review: Wildheart is amazing! Miguel once again proves that he knows how to create great music. His confidence shines through and Wildheart pushes Miguel's further into his own lane as a R&B maverick. My Personal Favorites: The Valley, Waves, …goingtohell, Coffee, and Destinado A Morir. Rating:10/10

    Long Review: I should start this review by saying that I believe Kaleidoscope    Short Review: Wildheart is amazing! Miguel once again proves that he knows how to create great music. His confidence shines through and Wildheart pushes Miguel's further into his own lane as a R&B maverick. My Personal Favorites: The Valley, Waves, …goingtohell, Coffee, and Destinado A Morir. Rating:10/10

    Long Review: I should start this review by saying that I believe Kaleidoscope Dream is one of the best R&B albums of the last decade. It is also important to note that Kaleidoscope Dream is one of my favorite albums of all time. This should paint how unrealistic my expectations were going into Wildheart. I was 100% expecting Miguel to float down from heaven and sing long lost chapters of the Holy Bible. In other words, I thought Miguel was about to change my life.

    My expectations were tempered after his EP and a few singles. Miguel was still giving me the music equivalent of silk sheets with Coffee and Simple Things, but both songs felt like lateral steps from Kaleidoscope Dream.

    After Wildheart dropped I knew he had done it again. *Warning Rant Coming*: R&B wasn’t always about vapid DJ Mustard style bangers (sorry Chris Brown) or one dimensional baby making music (sorry R. Kelly). On the other hand truly visionary albums like Kendrick’s “TPAB”, Lupe’s “Tetsuo & Youth”, and D’Angelo’s “Black Messiah” are marred by their abrasiveness. It seems to me like a lot of the recently critically praised albums are somewhat hard to listen to. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” proves that socially conscience urban music does not have to be tuneless. Miguel is not Marvin Gaye just yet, and Wildheart isn't a deep analysis on sociopolitical concerns, but he does his best to give me sophisticated beauty on Wildheart. *Rant Over*

    The first words we hear from Miguel are: “Don't ever sell yourself short for acceptance." This sets up listeners perfectly for what is to come. Miguel takes us on a tour through Cali from his and only his eyes. We venture through atypical R&B topics like growing up mixed race (What’s Normal Anyway) and Tinseltown delusion (Hollywood Dreams), but what sets this album apart is his take on typical topics. Fame, Sex, Drugs, and Money are all handled on this album, but are all done in Miguel’s unique style. Listen to “The Valley” for an example. On the surface this is just a slow jam about sex. While this is indeed a slow jam, and is for sure about sex, there is more at play. The lyrics are dirty. The sex is not romantic. It’s formulaic. It’s uncomfortable. It’s raw. It's San Fernando in all of its porn industry glory. This takes a raunchy song and gives it just a little something more.

    Maybe I am over-thinking this album. Maybe I am not putting enough thought into it. My advice is to buy this and form your own opinion. I support Miguel because this is talent that doesn’t get support in the music industry every day. I even bought a physical CD, so you know the admiration is real. Rating:10/10    … Expand
  9. BizerSan
    Aug 17, 2015
    7
    Melodic, sexy and fresh.
    It doesn't write music history, but complements its genre in perfect way. It's the perfect album for the end of a good date.
  10. pinkraop
    Dec 7, 2015
    6
    The production and mixing really ruined the record for me. He has a great voice but his lyrics are pretty basic most of the times. I appreciate the effort but his previous album was way better than this.
  11. skc
    Feb 13, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First album I've heard from Miguel and...I can say that I am now a Miguel Fan. His voice is very captivating and soothing, I enjoyed the instrumentation on the album. Overall a great album; as nothing was overdone and the simplicity just stood out to me.… Expand
  12. TheAtlantic
    Apr 26, 2016
    10
    If Album of the Year was my call to make, the 2015 winner would have been Miguel's Wildheart. It's unapologetically explicit without being vulgar. It is not afraid to push the boundaries on sex, love, and affection in any way, shape, or form. The album redefines the R&B genre from something that was once viewed as sex-obsessed to something that is simply sex-positive. Miguel offers a soundIf Album of the Year was my call to make, the 2015 winner would have been Miguel's Wildheart. It's unapologetically explicit without being vulgar. It is not afraid to push the boundaries on sex, love, and affection in any way, shape, or form. The album redefines the R&B genre from something that was once viewed as sex-obsessed to something that is simply sex-positive. Miguel offers a sound that hasn't been heard in recent years and shows extensive growth over his previous effort.

    Must-Hears: Coffee, Hollywood Dreams, Waves, The Valley    … Expand
  13. WANGWEST
    May 31, 2016
    10
    This album is perfectly balanced and crafted beautifully. Miguel shows his talents as a suggestive, soft and spectacular talent. He has an amazing flow matching with the meaning of his lyrics and his vocals.
  14. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    6
    A debauched orgy of explicit rnb and rock. Miguel isn't afraid to let it all show and to explore multiple genre's. It is a nut heavy handed at times but tgey are reslly wonderful moments here such as the Lenny Kravitz assitred "face the sun" or lead single "coffee " which is best hearded with the remixed Aale feature. He's rough and unashamed and it's really exciting to witness.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Album of 2015
78
#78 Most Discussed Album of 2015
89
#89 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Magnet
    Aug 12, 2015
    85
    Its palette remains expansive. [No. 123, p.61]
  2. No Ripcord
    Jul 31, 2015
    50
    Wildheart impresses in parts, and Miguel’s vocals are a thing to behold. For the most part, however, it’s a record that struggles to fully hold your attention.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Jul 30, 2015
    80
    The psychedelic haze of second LP Kaleidoscope Dream us toned down, replaced by a quixotic take on the R&B and rock landscape that, more than anything, stakes a claim for otherness. [Sep 2015, p.113]
See all critic reviews »