XXL's Scores

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For 380 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 68% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 26% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 Life is Good
Lowest review score: 40 Hotel California
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 260 out of 380
  2. Mixed: 120 out of 380
  3. Negative: 0 out of 380
380 music reviews
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    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Life Of Pablo
    T.L.O.P. does the perfect job of showcasing what makes Kanye brilliant--excellent production mixed with creative samples and his Quincy Jones-esque ability to get the best work out of some of music’s most talented artists. ’Ye’s rapping is good, filled with creative and honest lyrics, funny barbs, outright disses, his occasional take on pop culture and politics and the traditional Kanye bragging plus a few unnecessary lines that can make some listeners wonder he would even say them. But that’s ’Ye.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Documentary 2
    This is him at his creative peak. Bloated though it may be, these discs are The Game that was promised by a desperate industry in 2005.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Luv Is Rage 2
    Despite the long-winded nature of the album, Uzi definitely got it right with Luv Is Rage 2. The songs are catchy, the beats are hot and Uzi gives a vocal performance that redefines the term rap rock star.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Long.Live.A$AP
    Long.Live.A$AP has its moments as a cohesive album with top producers (Hit-Boy, Danger Mouse, Noah "40" Shebib) and frequent collaborators (Clams Casino) that offer choice beats.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    4 Your Eyez Only
    4 Your Eyez Only is a solid, short listen that relies on J. Cole’s strength and comfort zone, perhaps a little too much at times, but the underlying concepts continue to add a layer of depth to his artistry.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Life's Quest
    It's an LP that accurately reflects 8 Ball's place as one of the finest elder statesmen of southern rap.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    All-Amerikkkan Bada$$
    Diehard fans of Joey Bada$$’ older, more minimalist will applaud the latter half of the album. Whereas the top half dozen songs flex Joey’s evolved songwriting and beat selection, the bottom has Statik Selektah handling a few more beats and thus opening up Joey’s perfect in-pocket rhyming.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    When Fish Ride Bicycles
    When Fish Ride Bicycles is an energetic and fun summer album with lots of warm-weather references and car talk.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Welcome to JFK
    The 12-song album is impressive, boasting a litany of melodic street anthems and how-to pointers for the underdogs of the world.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    B4.DA.$$
    B4.Da.$$ should be seen as a huge step forward and a platform for Joey to progress even further.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cole World: The Sideline Story
    A very strong debut album from J. Cole.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Directors of Photography
    Directors of Photography shows that three artists that have achieved individual success can come together once again to create something substantial despite years of inactivity.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    PL3DGE
    As is often the case with politically charged rap, the album at times comes off preachy, but it rarely oversteps the boundary.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Have a Nice Life
    “I Miss Mikey” speaks not only to Murs’ own deceased homies, but acts as an inspirational call to ignore fears of mortality in the face of death and leave a lasting mark. With Have A Nice Life, an album that will not only impress longtime admirers but newcomers as well, Murs should have no problem with that task.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Dreamer/The Believer
    The Dreamer/The Believer may be Com's most digestible LP to date.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Touch Down 2 Cause Hell
    The realest, most honest rap album in recent memory.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dreams Worth More Than Money
    All the way through, Dreams Worth More Than Money feels fresh and, more importantly, refreshing.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    10 Summers
    Featuring Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, and TeeFlii caps off an impressive debut album for a producer who plans to be around for a while.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Always Strive and Prosper
    That title is the rapper’s motto for the project and he accomplishes both. Not only does he strive to become a better, more diverse artist, he definitely prospers in more ways than one as he continues to make a name for himself as one of New York’s biggest talents.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    PRhyme 2
    Musically and lyrically, PRhyme 2 holds its own next to its precursor. There's something for everyone here--Premier's production is diverse and tuneful while Royce pushes the bounds of his imagination with impressive wordplay. Win-win.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    7 Days of Funk
    7 Days of Funk is a fun and refreshing experience--one of Snoop’s most enjoyable projects since Tha Blue Carpet Treatment. George Clinton would be proud of this fresh take on funk music.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Art of Hustle
    The Art of Hustle finds Yo Gotti sticking to his roots. His street-acclaimed catalog is what got him here in the first place and the project doesn’t veer off course.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Heist
    [It's the] astute observations on the human condition and keen self-awareness that set this effort apart.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Keys to the Kuffs
    Though Keys to the Kuffs is no magnum opus, occupying a place just a notch under Take Me To Your Leader in terms of execution, it is an important step for the veteran.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Solution
    The Solution finds Buckshot doing a better job than in his past two at-bats to keep up with the super producer, and he does so by using his relaxed spitting as an anchor.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Diary
    While The Diary has its shining moments, it also has some issues. ... For Dilla fans, The Diary proves to be an essential listening.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    KOD
    While there are moments where Cole comes off more as a condescending high school principal than earnest older brother, KOD is an overall strong effort that connects of emotional trauma, mental health stigma in the Black community and the real problem of drug glorification.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gravitas
    He may still be too lyrical for some, but for many his Gravitas will be a welcome change from hip-hop’s current norm.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Follow Me Home
    Reflecting the Top Dawg Ent. rapper's lyrics and tone, the album is unapologetic and rugged, but sounds anything but rough.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This Generation
    The two feed off each other well, resulting in good music with a message, more often than not.
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