You & I
by Rita Ora
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 26, 2023
    80
    You & I is a nourishing, adult examination of love and relationships that matures the singer and her catalog in the process.
  2. Clash Music
    Jul 17, 2023
    70
    There’s still the trademark sass and joie de vivre throughout, but this feels like a more mature and evolved body of work from Rita who has shed her skin to show some vulnerability and creativity than before.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Jul 17, 2023
    70
    While You & I delves into Ora’s personal experiences and emotional triumphs, it does so in broader strokes. Though those confessional moments give a bit more insight into the life of Ora— her immigration experience, marriage and struggle to self-actualize — where she truly delivers is when she leans into experimentation on her euphoric EDM-lite and dance-pop. numbers.
  5. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 17, 2023
    60
    While You & I doesn’t break any new ground, it’s a spirited and smartly produced – if brief – album.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 17, 2023
    40
    You’re bound to find yourself dancing to it at some point over the summer. It’s safe. Still polished. Nothing special.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Johndro1d
    Jul 27, 2023
    10
    The best Rita Ora album so far!
    I'm blown away when I first heard the tracks. This is a beatifully written album too.
  2. witnessbot
    Jul 21, 2023
    10
    The best album ever. she is the best and has matured so much musically. Thank you for that.
  3. ricardo_reviews
    Jul 18, 2023
    8
    Rita Ora - You and I
    8.0 out 10.0 stars
    Music Review Music Title: You and I Artist: Rita Ora Genre: Dance Release Date: July 2023    Rita Ora - You and I
    8.0 out 10.0 stars

    Music Review

    Music Title: You and I

    Artist: Rita Ora
    Genre: Dance
    Release Date: July 2023
    Label: BMG

    Introduction

    Rita Ora is knwon as vocally talented. She sings dance vocals that are hits, such as Ritual--my favorite. I did not find any songs in her album like Ritual or anything that stuck out as superb. I think Rita will have a long singing career. She is one of my favorite female vocalists.

    Musical Style and Production

    Don't Think Twice: The music style is dance, while the production is studio quality. There are violins in the music. Rita's vocals are made for the club as she develops emotion through instrumentals into her dancefloor vocals. The music flows, rather than feels jerky.

    You Only Love Me: There are no violins. I like the instrumentals in this song as well.

    Unfeel It: Same.

    Waiting For You: Same.

    You and I: Same.

    Shape of Me: Same.

    Look At Me Now: Same.

    Notting Hill: Same.

    I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: Same.

    Lyrics and Themes

    Don't Think Twice: The song is made for the wallflower who just stands watching everyone with Rita telling him/her to pick someone to dance with as it could change their love life.

    You Only Love Me: This is a sad song as her lover only loves her when the night is over, she obviously deserves more.

    Unfeel It: I did not like the lyrics. The storytelling was terrible, how do people live like that? I guess when you are fully in love, somehow.

    Waiting For You: I like these lyrics more. I think Rita does better with positive lyrics.

    You and I: Rita does much better with positive lyrics.

    Shape of Me: I thought the lyrics were really good.

    Look At Me Now: I thought the lyrics were excellent. Notting Hill: This song sounds like it came from personal experience, good work. I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: She is having thoughts of being with another man? Good storytelling. Vocals and Performance Don't Think Twice: Vocals are best when Rita sings at the songs peaks as it is a dance song. Her range is average with good control; yet, would like to hear more emotional delivery throughout the song, due to her talent. You Only Love Me: Rita could really be outstanding if she sang more than simply say her vocals--I think she is that good. Unfeel It: Rita sang more here, but I did not hear grand vocals. Waiting For You: The vocals were better overall, except there were no peaks or grand vocals. I was waiting for her. You and I: Rita's vocals are better here overall, but lacked peaked vocals. Shape of Me: The vocals were good, almost great, heard a few peaks. Look At Me Now: This is Rita's best performance on the album. Notting Hill: This song is good, it has a little of everything vocally. I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: The vocals were solid. Songwriting and Composition Don't Think Twice: The song is catchy, good dance music for the club. You Only Love Me: Same. Unfeel It: I don't know if this song should play in clubs. Waiting For You: This song could play in clubs, not sure. You and I: This song is catchy. Shape of Me: very catchy song. Look At Me Now: This song is very catchy, love it. Notting Hill: This song is catchy, because I think she wrote it. I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: The song was catchy. Impact and Emotion Don't Think Twice: Rita is known for her relationship driven taste, which is expected and evoked this emotion. You Only Love Me: I was hoping the song would end happily, but the music video showed otherwise. Unfeel It: I feel disgust by the emotion of the lyrics and song, not in her singing. Waiting For You: I was waiting for Rita to show off her strong vocal peaks. You and I: I heard more vocals throughout the song, except strong peaked vocals. Look At Me Now: This song evokes a comeback emotion, which is impactful. Notting Hill: This song evokes personal experience, we get to see her past. I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: I get mixed emotions about her life, but it brings club emotions. Standout Tracks Shape of Me: This track is her seond best song on the album as it has good vocals all around, she reached deep for emotion based on memories. Look At Me Now: This song is her best on the album, did she write it? Conclusion Overall, Rita get a 4/5. Rita's vocals sound kind of country mixed with dance, which is unique. She could make a country album and get away with it, while doing a dance album the next time. Don't Think Twice: 4/5 You Only Love Me: 4/5 Unfeel It: 3/5 Waiting For You: 3.5/5 You and I: 4/5 Shape of Me: 4.5/5 Look At Me Now: 4.75/5 Notting Hill: 4/5 I Don't Want to Be Your Friend: 4/5 Number of stars: 4/5 /s/ Ricardo.Reviews    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »