Born This Way
by Lady Gaga
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Q Magazine
    Aug 8, 2011
    60
    Born This Way feels like the first proper Lady Gaga album. [Aug. 2011, p. 114]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Prefix Magazine
    Jul 6, 2011
    60
    Gaga has always been able to anchor her haughty conceptual undertakings with simple, catchy tunes, but with Born This Way, the persona and the message are starting to bleed into the songs. It's not a good look.
  3. No Ripcord
    Jun 7, 2011
    60
    Born This Way sufficient for Gaga to retain her crown? Probably, but only just. It lacks the overall quality of Robyn's Body Talk or the stand-out singles of Rihanna's Loud, yet it's still packed with hooks, killer choruses and unexpected twists.
  5. Village Voice
    May 25, 2011
    60
    For as overblown as Born is clearly intended to be, it's very difficult to love it for its nature--its gentler moments are more rewarding.
  6. Consequence
    May 23, 2011
    60
    By the end of it, there's little doubting Gaga's sincerity. For all of her schlock and posturing, it's hard to remember the last time a pop star was this sincere.
  7. American Songwriter
    May 23, 2011
    60
    Born This Way isn't the landmark record it could or should be.
  8. The Independent (UK)
    May 19, 2011
    60
    The more often she changes, and the broader she spreads her net musically, the less distinctive her art becomes.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Jun 2, 2011
    50
    If Gaga had only spent as much time on pushing musical boundaries as she has social ones, Born This Way would have been a lot more successful.
  10. PopMatters
    May 27, 2011
    50
    Will the Miss Gaga still be redefining the pop paradigm for other divas to follow several years down the road? Most definitely. Is Born This Way the album that's going to do it? Probably not.
  11. Sputnikmusic
    May 26, 2011
    50
    Yes, viewed on its own merits, Born This Way is a slightly above-average, if patronizing pop album that knows its own strengths and plays to them.
  12. Boston Globe
    May 24, 2011
    50
    After months of hype, teases, and a handful of singles, Lady Gaga's new album has arrived - and it's a letdown, the most deflated moment in pop music this year.
  13. Sputnikmusic
    May 18, 2011
    40
    These songs all sound like Gaga, but they're more abrasive, less focused, and that's not a good thing.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 2316 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,955 out of 2316
  2. Mixed: 109 out of 2316
  3. Negative: 252 out of 2316
  1. Kontikki
    May 23, 2011
    10
    An amazing album! Yes, perhaps not the album of the decade, but comes close to pop album of the decade atleast! the songs are so differentAn amazing album! Yes, perhaps not the album of the decade, but comes close to pop album of the decade atleast! the songs are so different from the other mediocre stuff that is put out. I love it!… Full Review »
  2. SarcasticTruth
    May 23, 2011
    10
    The hype was worth it. Lady GaGa's Born This Way is a marvelous record. She sings her heart out in every song. Simply AMAZING! There are noThe hype was worth it. Lady GaGa's Born This Way is a marvelous record. She sings her heart out in every song. Simply AMAZING! There are no stand-out tracks on the album, each and every song is great and could be a potential single. Weather she is singing about religion, love, fighting for equal rights or fighting for your own identity, she always makes sure that your going to be comfortable listening to it.… Full Review »
  3. FameHooker
    May 23, 2011
    10
    Simply a perfect album. There isn't a track on this record that is a misfire. I can't understand why it didn't get a better metascore. TheSimply a perfect album. There isn't a track on this record that is a misfire. I can't understand why it didn't get a better metascore. The album is probably the best of the decade. I haven't heard pop genius like this since MJ or Mad. It's INCREDIBLE!!!… Full Review »
See all user reviews »