User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Dead
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Dead Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second full-length studio release for the Edinburgh-based hip-hop trio of Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole, and Graham Hastings.
Buy Now
Buy on

Top Track

Get Up
Come here and do the right thing Get up and have a party Get up, get up Come here and do the right thing Get up and have a party Get up, get up Got... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Clash Music
    Jan 29, 2014
    90
    Young Fathers possess that which makes the best British acts truly special: a singular identity born of multinational mixology.
  2. musicOMH.com
    Jan 29, 2014
    90
    It’s not an easy listen and will send hipsters scurrying for their bobble hats and fake specs, but this is the sound of a band pushing themselves, challenging their audience and making something to be proud of.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Feb 3, 2014
    80
    The balance between pop and experimentalism is very fine but Young Fathers strike it with exuberant ease.
  4. The Guardian
    Jan 30, 2014
    80
    Young Fathers have quietly constructed a strange and intoxicating musical universe that feels entirely their own, while no one else was paying attention.
  5. Uncut
    Feb 3, 2014
    80
    This arrestingly adventurous debut is a densely layered mash-up of shudders and drones, narcotically twisted beats, gospel-infused vocals and surreal wordplay. [Mar 2014, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PopMatters
    Feb 13, 2014
    80
    If Dead proves anything it’s that Young Fathers are one of the most versatile acts in hip-hop today, they’re excellent rappers, producers, and singers. This is just their proper debut. Expect excellent insanity in the future.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Feb 3, 2014
    70
    Somehow they’ve retained their pop nous, making for an album that’s unique, but maddeningly all over the place.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. jyo_tirmaya
    Mar 1, 2014
    10
    Anytime I hear an album described as rap, I usually turn the other way. I can't stand gangster rap that blows me away. I even bought the firstAnytime I hear an album described as rap, I usually turn the other way. I can't stand gangster rap that blows me away. I even bought the first Death Grips first album thinking it would be different from gangsta rap, but I was disappointed in how much rap there was on their albums. I read a couple of reviews for Young Fathers, and something told me to listen to this album on iTunes and I really liked what I heard. There are elements of rap, yes, but Fathers add so much more to this album: electronica, alternative and even pop - I've probably left something out. There sound IS all over the place but it works, and I have finally found a rap album that I like. The closest I could describe this Young Fathers "Dead" album is to Kanye West's "My Dark Twisted Fantasy." Get it!… Expand
  2. ben_zo77
    Aug 12, 2014
    8
    Dead is a brilliant, yet flawed, Yeezus-like artistic rap record. The enormous production and confident lyrics make this underrated album oneDead is a brilliant, yet flawed, Yeezus-like artistic rap record. The enormous production and confident lyrics make this underrated album one of the best of 2014. ~ 8.2/10

    "Get Up" and "Hangman" were both absolutely genius constructions.    … Expand
  4. Daniel_B
    Jul 7, 2014
    7
    Huge disappointment, but only because their first two mixtapes were so great. Still worth a listen, and it has some great tracks and solidHuge disappointment, but only because their first two mixtapes were so great. Still worth a listen, and it has some great tracks and solid tracks, but nothing as good as Rumbling, Romance, Deadline, Come to Life, or The Queen is Dead.
    The music seems just a little less inspired. Better than most of what you'll find out there, but not up to par for what the group is capable of as musicians.    … Expand
  5. Muddsjr
    Oct 30, 2014
    6
    don't get me wrong, its a generally good hip-hop album, I did however have in mind more unique talents to win this year's mercury, artists whodon't get me wrong, its a generally good hip-hop album, I did however have in mind more unique talents to win this year's mercury, artists who perhaps show something a little different than usual. Dead is an album I can easily grow to and even love a little, but not an album I can separate from other things and place individually.… Expand
  6. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    5
    After their two pretty good mixtapes, YF drops their first LP. The sound of the album is great overall, very immense and huge, a rarity for aAfter their two pretty good mixtapes, YF drops their first LP. The sound of the album is great overall, very immense and huge, a rarity for a Hip Hop record. Unfortunately, it's the songs' flows and deliveries that ruin it for me a little. Well, not ruin, underwhelm me more-like.… Expand

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2014, Music

    The Freshman 15: 2014's Best Debut Albums

    The Freshman 15: 2014's Best Debut Albums Image
    Published: December 4, 2014
    We rank the year's best-reviewed debut albums, including releases from FKA twigs, Ex Hex, East India Youth, Arca, Ought, and more.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2014

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
89 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »