99.9%
by Kaytranada
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: May 6, 2016
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. PopMatters
    Jul 12, 2016
    60
    At 15 tracks, Kaytranada could’ve easily cut out about three of the lesser songs here and had a better album.
  2. The Observer (UK)
    May 9, 2016
    60
    It’s hard to keep up, then--but worth it.
  3. DIY Magazine
    May 6, 2016
    60
    Collaborations here, there and everywhere, for the most part Kaytranada pulls the strings. But it is a work that threatens to find him in the shadows, leaving the spotlight to bigger names.

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 108 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 118
  3. Negative: 4 out of 118
  1. Blanche
    Aug 20, 2016
    8
    The Haitian-Canadian outfit Kaytranada has produced dozens of tracks and remixes over the years so it only seemed plausible that we finallyThe Haitian-Canadian outfit Kaytranada has produced dozens of tracks and remixes over the years so it only seemed plausible that we finally see him release an original album, entitled 99.9%. This record is scattered with different genres stretching from jazz, hip-hop, house and even disco influences arise from it. You'd think it would sound like a mess right? Absolutely not.

    Kaytranada demonstrates how incredibly versatile he is in his production combining the array of genres with different vocalists for different purposes.

    The most jammy tracks on the record Got It Good, Drive Me Crazy, You're The One and the instrumental Lite Spots all hit the spot for me. They are incredibly consistent in quality yet so different from one another respectively; they are fun and engaging in their own particular way. Every vocalist (apart from Lite Spots which uses a sample from Gal Costa's "Pontos De Luz") is solid on each track. It's pretty difficult to nail down which is my favourite out of the four! I think I'll go with Got It Good with Craig David, such a feel good track, but it is very tight. Always a good thing. In fact, You're The One could quite easily be a FIFA track. Not sure if he wants to go down that route though!

    Then we have more laidback tracks like Bus Ride which have some really nice drums and strings, Glowed Up which is quirky in a good way and adds spice to the record. Weight Off, Together, One Too Many and Vivid Dreams are also solid tracks with pretty good instrumentation and yet more solid vocal performances. The consistency is really impressive. Bus Ride in particular has some fantastic placement of drums.

    More instrumentals deriving from Track Uno, Despite The Weather and Breakdance Lesson N.1 highlights more of Kaytranada's production skills. Breakdance is the weaker of the three and in fact one of the weakest in the album, mostly because I feel that the track is a bit too long for liking. Could have been shortened to around three minutes. Track Uno which although is even longer in length justifies that because of the more prominent, continual change of textures, melodies and rhythms which keep it engaging for me. It isn't a bad track by any means, still quite good.

    The last two tracks featuring Shay Lia and Little Dragon respectively are once again solid tracks. Leave Me Alone is a particular highlight on the record - the frothy yet tamed bass is brilliant and the vocals harmonise with it very well. Great track. Bullets is also pretty good, different from the rest once again but still has that Kaytranada touch.

    And that's what makes this album so fantastic. Every track is unique in its own way yet retains the noticeable Kaytranada attitude across every single track, be it subtle or prominent. I notice how every snare, clap, click and hat for instance sounds slightly different from one another in each four bar loop - a technique he's been playing with for years. This is simply a fascinating way to maximise replayability on the album and it works wonders. Kaytranada's percussive synthesis in both execution and variation across the record is deeply impressive. The synthesizers he utilises are also typical of his sound and his style. Another noticeable element is the outros that are in a handful of the tracks which switch the chord progressions and sometimes sound like completely different songs. This is also another method to make each track even more interesting, and yet again he is successful in that regard. Although I will say they did confuse me at first!

    My only gripes with this record is even though it's pretty cohesive, consistent and very engaging, there's not too many spectacular songs. They're all good, a few fantastic, but the only amazing songs I would classify are Got It Good, Lite Spots and Leave Me Alone. It needed that killer edge. I would have maybe taken out One Too Many just to squeeze one more fantastic or even amazing song in. And I also feel that Breakdance Lesson N.1 could have been shorter and instead Despite The Weather could have been longer.

    All in all, a fantastic debut album by Kaytranada (with a few minor mishaps). After all these years of listening to his material, I am happy to see him pull off something as big as this really well. I am pretty excited to see what else he can offer in the future. The guy is very talented and very versatile in his production. One of the best records of 2016.    … Full Review »
  2. tinskiwe
    Jun 1, 2016
    10
    Amazing album! I've been listening to Kaytranda for quite some time and he outdid himself with his debut album '99.9%' ! I have been listeningAmazing album! I've been listening to Kaytranda for quite some time and he outdid himself with his debut album '99.9%' ! I have been listening to it for almost a month now and I'm still not tired of it. Every single track is catchy as hell and sticks in your mind all through the day :) The album is 50 - 50 % split between vocal tracks and instrumental tracks. Genres are diverse, but his signature sound can be found in all of them. As it is said in one of the skits from the album: 'It's musicality meeting the beats. From the chords and the basslines to the rhythms", the tracks form into one complete feel good trip. Luv it :))))… Full Review »
  3. ThatMatt
    May 13, 2016
    10
    Kaytra has single-handedly created his own genre. The man has taste. Despite the weather was a particular highlight for me. Love this sound.Kaytra has single-handedly created his own genre. The man has taste. Despite the weather was a particular highlight for me. Love this sound. Great production value and and seriously good value for money.… Full Review »
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