Ye
by
Ye Image
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66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 522 Ratings

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  • Summary: The seven-track release from the rapper was streamed live from Wyoming and featured guest appearances from 070 Shake, DeJ Loaf, Jeremih, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Nicki Minaj, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Ty Dolla $ign, Valee and Charlie Wilson.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 6, 2018
    90
    ye really does what a self-titled album should do: it says “Hey, this is who I am.” Even at 23 minutes, it almost feels like two different albums: an aggressive, dissonant one, and an empathetic, soulful one. Yet, those aren’t the two sides of Kanye, because those things exist in him simultaneously, all the time.
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jun 1, 2018
    80
    Ye is an album about Kanye’s state of mind, his family, and a narration of what’s been going on in his “shaky-ass year”. The beats are great. Lyrically, it’s fine. Whatever you think of his politics, his songwriting, sample-hunting and beat-making remain dynamic, surprising and ballsy.
  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 4, 2018
    71
    If anything, ye compresses the Kanye West character, making everything about the artist feel smaller, blurrier, like you are squinting at an image once larger than life.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 4, 2018
    60
    Nobody can deny this mini album flirts with brilliance, and feels like a pop cultural moment straight out the gate; we just wish there was a little more to it.
  5. XXL
    Jun 7, 2018
    60
    Ye feels lyrically scatterbrained, as if its creator was unable to focus on anything for long enough to deliver a cohesive message.
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 5, 2018
    58
    We got a shockingly anodyne, non-political, briefly magnificent, half-finished piece of work.
  7. Spin
    Jun 5, 2018
    30
    There is nothing new to be learned from this album burdened by crudely formed raps about his already exhaustively covered life and deeply muddled politics. ... Still, the music at times almost makes it worth it.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 131
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 131
  3. Negative: 19 out of 131
  1. CassioSanfelice
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    The shortness of the project helps Kanye to differentiate each single song. They vary in sonic identity and content, but not in originality.The shortness of the project helps Kanye to differentiate each single song. They vary in sonic identity and content, but not in originality. On the lyrical side, this is his best work since MBDTF.… Expand
  2. metaknightmare
    Jun 5, 2018
    10
    Surprisingly honest and beautiful album. Short, sweet and light. Unexpected delivery by Kanye West touching on themes and points that areSurprisingly honest and beautiful album. Short, sweet and light. Unexpected delivery by Kanye West touching on themes and points that are unconventional in the genre. This and Daytona prove he has more things to say with his producing. Looking forward to what's to come.… Expand
  4. adidon
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    Much more focused than TLOP and the production is some of Kanye's very best work. From the haunting opening track to the masterfullyMuch more focused than TLOP and the production is some of Kanye's very best work. From the haunting opening track to the masterfully constructed Ghost Town, this is far and away the best album of the year thus far. He is able to say everything he needs to in the 7 tracks and is perhaps the most intimate, vulnerable Ye we have ever seen. Even more so than 808s and it works brilliantly in this case.… Expand
  5. nielsfregerslev
    Jun 6, 2018
    9
    While in no way the same kind of maximalist musical experience as 'MBDTF' or' Yeezus', 'ye' is an extremely personal and emotional album fraWhile in no way the same kind of maximalist musical experience as 'MBDTF' or' Yeezus', 'ye' is an extremely personal and emotional album fra Kanye West with very genuine commentrary on his mental condition and his love for his family. It sometimes feels a little flawed by how fast it was put together, but other than a few places where it sounds like kanye straight up didn't have time to finished a lyric, this feeling of the album being rushed also gives it a deep sense of intimacy. Both lyrically and musically a such less extreme statement than ye's post 'college' albums but with extraordinarily beatiful instrumentation and vocals from 070 Shake, Ty Dolla Sign and John Legend.… Expand
  6. AkumaJack
    Jun 8, 2018
    8
    Not on the same level of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but still a great album full of DRAGON ENERGY by Kanye.
    A lot calmer and slower    Not on the same level of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but still a great album full of DRAGON ENERGY by Kanye.
    A lot calmer and slower imo, but tender and introspective.    … Expand
  7. OGHipHopCritic
    Jun 9, 2018
    7
    I reckon Kanye was trynna pull off that Yeezus type style. By changing the style of his album, which is a lot different to normal mainstreamI reckon Kanye was trynna pull off that Yeezus type style. By changing the style of his album, which is a lot different to normal mainstream albums. With a 23 minute long album, I think Kanye should have not wasted any time with rants or spoken lyrics, however, skipped straight to the bars. The rnb and soul feel to the album was excellent. Despite this, some tracks were not fully executed especially the first track, where he is speaking for around a minute. I'd understand skits and interludes in an album like TLOP, but this was a too short album for time to be wasted. In my opinion, this is one of Kanye's lesser greater albums, but in saying that it is still an amazing album compared to other rap albums. I just think Kanye put too much focus in Daytona to worry about his own album, but that is what all great producer's do like Dr. Dre, who instead of advancing his career made music for the likes of 50 cent and Eminem. Therefore, this album for me would be a 78 which would round up to an 8 out of 10. To Kanye's standards the album was not too great, but compared to other hip hop albums, it was an excellent project and I am comparing this to other hip hop albums. Strewth.… Expand
  8. rodericrinehart
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    A Trump supporter and someone who disparages mental health on his album cover. I couldn't make the rating go any lower, so a zero it is. IA Trump supporter and someone who disparages mental health on his album cover. I couldn't make the rating go any lower, so a zero it is. I used to love Kanye despite his insanity and inability to connect with normal humans. No more.… Expand

See all 131 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Most Discussed Album of 2018
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2018

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