3.15.20
by Childish Gambino
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Mar 22, 2020
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. PopMatters
    Mar 24, 2020
    100
    3.15.20 captures the tumultuous contemporary moment. As society contends with sickness, anger, and fear, Glover remedies the malignancy while fueling the anguish. 3.15.20 signals an important shift for Childish Gambino and secures the album's spot as one of the best of the year.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 23, 2020
    100
    3.15.20 is as spell-binding, illuminating and honest as any of the great albums in recent history. Aspects hold themselves as hard and brutal as Kanye West's Yeezus, yet these moments are tempered by ones of beauty and elegance as enthralling as anything you’d find on Solange’s recent records, or Tame Impala’s for that.
  3. The Guardian
    Mar 23, 2020
    100
    It is an ambitious album that can turn from hedonism to hope on a dime. And with its genre-hopping ethos, bold orchestral choices and pleasing tunefulness, it is the first truly boundary-pushing record of the 2020s, cementing its creator as a daring virtuoso.
  5. AllMusic
    Mar 27, 2020
    90
    Glover is fearless and definitely not afraid to fall flat in the quest for something new or real. 3.15.20 is both of those things and is the second classic, timeless and timely Childish Gambino record in a row.
  6. Consequence
    Mar 23, 2020
    83
    3.15.20 truly showcases Glover’s talents as a musician, producer, and songwriter. It’s a balanced body of work, not through its similarities, but rather its extreme contrasts.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2020
    80
    As engaging as these songs are on multiple levels, 3.15.20 really excels when Glover experiments with form, texture and sensory overload.
  8. Q Magazine
    Apr 7, 2020
    80
    It's his sharp, searching lyrics that elevates 3.15.20 to giddying heights. [Jun 2020, p.106]
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  9. Under The Radar
    Apr 1, 2020
    80
    If one could argue that 3.15.20 reveals a growing penchant for Kanye-esque dilettantism—dipping its toes into Death Grips-style abrasion on one end, reaching out for touches of Tropical House, Frank Ocean, and sun-dappled Disney singalongs on the other—it’s all carried off with Glover’s winking confidence, not to mention a damn sight less narcissism than Yeezy.
  10. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 30, 2020
    80
    If 03.15.20 is a full stop to one of the most dynamic, inventive, frustratingly inconsistent discographies of the last decade. I'm not convinced Glover's multi-hyphenate brain could ever stop working away, creating shows and songs and short films and botching album rollouts to a ridiculous degree.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Mar 23, 2020
    80
    There’s something oddly reassuring about these songs — not just “12.38,” a laidback R&B slow jam about a drug-addled sexual encounter, or the sweetly romantic “24.19,” but all 12 of them, even those in which Glover sounds close to overwhelmed by his many misgivings.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 23, 2020
    80
    The impressive ‘3.15.20’ [is] well worth the wait.
  13. Exclaim
    Mar 31, 2020
    70
    Though Gambino takes himself a bit too seriously at times, 3.15.20's pleasant moments make up for his missteps.
  14. HipHopDX
    Mar 31, 2020
    68
    Like an episode of Atlanta, 3.15.20 takes us in various, episodic directions that are snapshots into the thought process of Donald Glover. He ties it all together with the unifying, timeless theme of love. It’s just a shame his vision was marred by musical risk-taking that falls flat almost as much as it soars.

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best Album of 2020
45
#45 Most Discussed Album of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 265 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 188 out of 265
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 265
  3. Negative: 32 out of 265
  1. briank19
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    Easily one of the best albums of the year. Maybe it doesn't have the same fluidity of other albums but that's what makes it so great it myEasily one of the best albums of the year. Maybe it doesn't have the same fluidity of other albums but that's what makes it so great it my opinion. Each song is like a completely different musical director for Donald. There's no way you could listen to this album and feel bored. Must listen.… Full Review »
  2. TrentRey
    Mar 23, 2020
    9
    A very surprising album by Childish Gambino. This is his 4th studio album and it also his best. This album isn't narrative like songs from hisA very surprising album by Childish Gambino. This is his 4th studio album and it also his best. This album isn't narrative like songs from his previous album or doesn't have a defined genre like his previous but it is his best-produced album to date. This album feels more experimental and some of Childish Gambino fans might not like this album more than his previous. I can understand why this album would get horrible reviews by many. It is such a weird album. A lot of the sounds on this album are unexpected. A lot of noises, singing, with some rapping throughout this entire album.… Full Review »
  3. sammyanthony
    Mar 25, 2020
    9
    In this allegedly ultimate project from Childish Gambino, 3.15.20 concludes it pretty well. The abrasive take on the experimentation doesn'tIn this allegedly ultimate project from Childish Gambino, 3.15.20 concludes it pretty well. The abrasive take on the experimentation doesn't seem to be favored by some hardcore fans, compared to the more smooth sounding approach on Awaken, My Love! but it outshines and steals the spotlight from the majority of tracks on the album. A handful of outros don't represent its song, but more of a transition to its subsequent tracks; makes it harder to listen to each of them as a standalone track, but makes it more enjoyable as a concept album.… Full Review »
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