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Bleeds
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Bleeds Image
Metascore
80

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

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth full-length release for the British rapper features production from Four Tet and Adrian Sherwood.
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Top Track

Facety 2:11
Boat race (repeated) Uh huh, Uh huh, Uh huh Uh huh Uh huh (repeated) Yep Elevated poetry flowers it's all flowetry Power prepare honours to honour... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. musicOMH.com
    Nov 4, 2015
    90
    He has made five albums, at least three of which are very fine indeed. But concern was growing that he might have peaked creatively. Bleeds refutes that notion emphatically, within a minute of the start.
  2. Q Magazine
    Oct 27, 2015
    80
    Funny, provocative and concise at 10 tracks, Bleed is the sound of a powerful and unique voice back on peak form. [Dec 2015, p.105]
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  3. Mixmag
    Oct 27, 2015
    80
    With production help from Four Tet and Adrian Sherwood, he raps tenaciously over dark beats.
  4. Uncut
    Oct 27, 2015
    80
    Like 2008's Slime & Reason, Bleeds can come on a bit like an episode of "Grumpy Old MCs." But there's always room for salvation in Smith's world. [Dec 2015, p.92]
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  5. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 6, 2015
    80
    There’s the same penchant for itchy, unusual beats from the likes of 4Tet and Fred; the same provocative, philosophical flow; and the same undertow of paranoid wariness.
  6. Resident Advisor
    Jan 4, 2016
    80
    Smith never went away exactly, but Bleeds feels like as storming comeback.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 29, 2015
    60
    Bleeds opens with a tirade against the free market labels pretty much everybody as bastards. That bitterness resurfaces elsewhere on the album but the urgency, so bracingly misanthropic on Hard Bastards, starts flagging halfway through.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. lisiak
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    'Bleeds' by Roots Manuva is a really good album! I've never heard rap from UK and it was my fault! It's diffrent, strange, but amazing!! My'Bleeds' by Roots Manuva is a really good album! I've never heard rap from UK and it was my fault! It's diffrent, strange, but amazing!! My favourite tracks: 'Cargo', 'Stepping Hard'… Expand
  2. TalentlessHack
    Dec 30, 2015
    8
    Roots Manuva, one of the UK most consistent artists drops another full length album, "Bleeds".

    "Bleeds" takes us through a more darker and    Roots Manuva, one of the UK most consistent artists drops another full length album, "Bleeds".

    "Bleeds" takes us through a more darker and melodic and soulful side of Manuva's music, with tracks like "Hard Bastards", "Crying" and "Don't Breathe Out" featuring a lot more singing than on past Manuva records, even more singing from the man himself.

    But that doesn't mean that that Manuva stepped down his rap game. "Facety 2:11" and "One Thing" prove that Manuva can still keep up with the game and that the man can flow over any track he spits on.

    The only issue I had with "Bleeds" is that it gave me the impression that Manuva was dwelling in his comfort zone for a bit too much, as some of the production sound a bit too samey.

    "Bleeds" is a darker and more intimate album from Roots Manuva that definitely does not fail to impress, but it didn't quite amaze me.

    Fav Tracks: Facety 2:11, One Thing, Don't Breathe Out, Hard Bastards
    Least Fav Track: ----    … Expand
  4. nirvanafreak
    Nov 5, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Favourite Songs: Don't Breathe Out, One Thing, Cargo, Facety 2:11
    Least Favourite Songs: I Know Your Face
    Based off Roots Manuva's reputation and the 3 singles that came out prior to the albums release I thought this might be one of the best albums of the year. Unfortunately, for me it didn't quite get there but it's still a very solid project. He still puts a lot of effort into his lyrics as always, with a good mix of socially conscious lyrics and nice wordplay, but some of the production is a bit plain. It's pretty experimental on 'Crying' with an actual cry interpreted into the beat which makes it kind of interesting but it doesn't actually sound that good. I think the main reason production isn't outstanding on the album is because he brought in outside producers for I think every song when he can produce better beats himself (as he's done before.) But again really solid project, 'Don't Breathe Out' is definitely the highlight of the project with a beautiful soulful chorus and sample. It calms the mood a bit after the directness of songs like 'Hard Bastards' and 'Crying'. I may not have been wowed by 'Bleeds' but I'm definitely impressed by what's on display here and Roots has proved he's far from lacking ideas.
    Better Than Previous Project?: Yes
    Try This If You Like: ill Manors by Plan B    … Expand

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