Bleeds
by Roots Manuva
  • Record Label: Big Dada
  • Release Date: Oct 30, 2015
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. The Guardian
    Oct 29, 2015
    60
    The best songs paint him as guardian of the apocalypse, pairing his world-weary soulfulness with murky, mutant beats. Hopefully for the next album he’ll hang up his top hat and focus on those instincts instead.
  2. 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.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 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: ----    … Full Review »
  2. 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'… Full Review »
  3. nirvanafreak
    Nov 5, 2015
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link 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    … Full Review »
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