User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
2014 Forest Hills Drive Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 613 Ratings

  • Summary: The third studio release for the rapper was named after the address of his childhood home in North Carolina and was self produced with !llmind, Cardiak, CritCal, Omen, Phonix Beats, Vinylz, and Willie B.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Apparently
Oh right, oh Oh why na-da-da-da I keep my head high I got my wings to carry me I don't know freedom I want my dreams to rescue me I keep my faith... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Dec 12, 2014
    80
    J. Cole is righfully satisfied with the end product, as will the fans.
  2. Dec 9, 2014
    80
    He shines without any features, standing strong in his delivery and carrying his story to the forefront of the 13-track project.
  3. 75
    A deeply skilled empathizer, Cole can put you in his shoes too.
  4. 60
    In the end it is a work crippled by its own indecision, and perhaps bowed by the weight of expectation: a shame, for sure, but hardly a reason to lose faith.
  5. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2015
    60
    You long for a bit more of the ardour of "Fine Squad." [Mar 2015, p.73]
  6. Dec 18, 2014
    60
    Consistent, yes, but not the king yet.
  7. Dec 12, 2014
    50
    On 2014 Forest Hills Drive , we’ve still got the same ol’ Cole, but with diminishing returns and without any friends to help him.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 87
  2. Negative: 3 out of 87
  1. Dec 9, 2014
    10
    Jermaine Cole has shown excellent growth as an artist with this brilliant LP. I'm proud to call myself a fan of his, and I'm anticipating hisJermaine Cole has shown excellent growth as an artist with this brilliant LP. I'm proud to call myself a fan of his, and I'm anticipating his next body of work. Shout Cope Fam. Expand
  2. Feb 2, 2020
    10
    An imperfect masterpiece. 2014fhd is sonically pleasing and itʼs overwhelmingly honest. But since Iʼm a big cole fan and Iʼm a little biased,An imperfect masterpiece. 2014fhd is sonically pleasing and itʼs overwhelmingly honest. But since Iʼm a big cole fan and Iʼm a little biased, itʼs perfect for me. He has a few corny bars here and there but they donʼt really ruin any song for me and I like his voice so I donʼt really mind his singing. What I like about him the most is that he puts his heart into what he says and you donʼt hear that nowadays. He can convey a heartwarming/nostalgic feeling but that requires a connection between the listener and the artist. With all that being said I believe he can do much better. He has the potential of making one of the greatest albums ever imo. Looking forward to his next album. Cole world no blanket! Expand
  3. Jan 7, 2015
    10
    Honestly one of the most heart warming and beautiful rap albums out there. Songs such as "Wet Dreamz", "No Role Models" and "Fire Squad" talkHonestly one of the most heart warming and beautiful rap albums out there. Songs such as "Wet Dreamz", "No Role Models" and "Fire Squad" talk about classic hip hop topics such as sex, relationships and the competition in the rap game. But treats the topic in a different way, a more humble way talking about it in a true sense without boasting or turning the topic into satire.
    I don't think this album will let Nas down.
    Expand
  4. Mar 18, 2015
    9
    In my opinion, this is the closest J. Cole can get to making a masterpiece without doing it. I'm the biggest Cole fan on the planet and IIn my opinion, this is the closest J. Cole can get to making a masterpiece without doing it. I'm the biggest Cole fan on the planet and I still think he has a little more to give. With all that being said this is his best work since Friday Night Lights and I think it's his first album that he got to write all by himself without having a record company breathing down his neck pressuring him to create a "radio" album. Wet Dreams, GOMD, A Tale of Two Cities, Love Yours and 03' Adolescence are all better songs than ninety five percent rappers on the planet today could've made. The way he explains the different parts of his life with every song is absolutely incredible. The production, lyrics and overall artistry are top notch and with this album he solidifies himself as a top three rapper on the planet currently in their prime in my opinion. Look for his next album to be an absolute classic. Expand
  5. Dec 20, 2022
    9
    guevfyisrhyesrhfbuserilhifehrsfgbreysfbgyreyfgbesyfgbyresfbgeryfgerygbagfeweg
  6. Mar 23, 2015
    7
    J Cole's theme was a calm narrative based on his life which gave this album a varying opinion from track to track. It could start off with JJ Cole's theme was a calm narrative based on his life which gave this album a varying opinion from track to track. It could start off with J Cole narrating political movements and transition to him talking about women. The lyricism on this album can go anywhere from great, to mediocre between tracks. Eventually the simple and smooth beats all began to blend after just a few listens.
    This album was an easy listen and one which you're not quite finished with after just one listen. Many of these songs can be radio singles, but they all mostly seem to be in some kind of midway point in which they're too "conscious rap" for the radio but too pop to be "conscious rap."
    Overall a good album, but not one of those albums which is a complete standout from any other.
    7/10
    Expand
  7. Dec 16, 2014
    0
    really boring album. cole isn't interesting or entertaining. same boring beats, really bad lyrics, no engery, no charima from bole he's blandreally boring album. cole isn't interesting or entertaining. same boring beats, really bad lyrics, no engery, no charima from bole he's bland and tasteless like rice cake or a piece of bread Expand

See all 87 User Reviews