A Written Testimony
by Jay Electronica
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 74
  3. Negative: 4 out of 74
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  1. VestingBoot
    Mar 18, 2020
    6
    Ok so full transparency, this album would be a nine if it wasn't for a few things. First, this is a collab album no hiding it or disguising it. Thus making it a way easier and more palatable as a debut. Second, was definitely the weaker half of this album. JayZ did great and if it was his project it would be a 9. Jay electronica got a pass because of exhibit c and how great it was. But meOk so full transparency, this album would be a nine if it wasn't for a few things. First, this is a collab album no hiding it or disguising it. Thus making it a way easier and more palatable as a debut. Second, was definitely the weaker half of this album. JayZ did great and if it was his project it would be a 9. Jay electronica got a pass because of exhibit c and how great it was. But me personally, I can't give this a higher score.… Expand
  2. Atum_
    Jun 8, 2020
    5
    This was a very underwhelming album. I expected more from Jay Electronica, who showed great potential in the late 2000s, and I thought his verse on Control was pretty good. Then he is gone almost a decade, and comes out with this. An album as much a Jay-Z album as a Jay Electronica album. The features are underwhelming. Travis Scott, who usually has great hooks, had an awful hook withThis was a very underwhelming album. I expected more from Jay Electronica, who showed great potential in the late 2000s, and I thought his verse on Control was pretty good. Then he is gone almost a decade, and comes out with this. An album as much a Jay-Z album as a Jay Electronica album. The features are underwhelming. Travis Scott, who usually has great hooks, had an awful hook with awful autotune on The Blinding. The mixing, the beats, everything about this album feels rushed, but it shouldn't. He had a decade to make this, and it still turned out not too good. I think i prefer Jay-Z's verses on this one.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best Album of 2020
76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The Wire
    Apr 28, 2020
    70
    Filled with ghosts; confessions; jokes; an abundance of Jay-Z features and a prodigal son offering explanations for his disappearance and return. [May 2020, p.65]
  2. Q Magazine
    Apr 7, 2020
    80
    An album that dares to tackle life's big questions head on. [Jun 2020, p.101]
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 2, 2020
    90
    Bold production choices gel with this collaborative energy for an album that's inspired, driven, and sounds moved by the hand of unseen powers.
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