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Ella Mai
by
Ella Mai Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 83 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the British R&B artist features production from DJ Mustard and guest appearances from Chris Brown, H.E.R., and John Legend.
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Top Track

Boo'd Up
Feelings, so deep in my feelings No, this ain't really like me Can't control my anxiety Feeling, like I'm touching the ceiling When I'm with you I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. HipHopDX
    Nov 1, 2018
    82
    The subtle wave of acoustics, sparse pianism and occasional bass bump work as an apt complement to Ella’s oration. The production also displays the underappreciated diversity of Mustard’s bottomless bag of beats.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 12, 2018
    80
    Confident, relevant and full of gorgeous instrumentation, Ella Mai’s debut proves that she is more than worth the hype.
  3. The Guardian
    Oct 12, 2018
    80
    It’s the full-bodied and fiery tunes Dangerous and Shot Clock that shine through, with their honeyed yet passionate vocals, pointedly candid lyrics, and throwback instrumentation modernised with dark synths and percussion. These are better signs of Mai’s authentic R&B star potential than any millennial slang.
  4. Exclaim
    Oct 12, 2018
    70
    Nothing groundbreaking, but a good modern soul album that draws on specific touchpoints--late '90 to early '00s R&B filtered by way of trap-minded beats--curated to today's audience.
  5. Pitchfork
    Oct 15, 2018
    66
    Mai’s album will likely bring her a couple of radio hits--“Sauce” is an undeniable heater. But a lack of focus means that, on her debut, the instant, infectious rush of Mai’s warm personality proves a little more elusive to find.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Oct 12, 2018
    60
    If the arrangements sometimes sound automated, Mai is adept enough as a singer to enliven them.
  7. No Ripcord
    Oct 18, 2018
    60
    There's a lack of authorship throughout that leaves a sense of disjointedness. Which is more about the album's overall design, because if taken in individual pieces, there's more than a handful of skillfully-written songs that could fit into any modern pop playlist.

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User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. amandaaraujo_
    Oct 12, 2018
    10
    Ella Mai came to us with an amazing debut album! It's a throwback R&B record that makes you just wanna chill and vibe to its smooth songs.Ella Mai came to us with an amazing debut album! It's a throwback R&B record that makes you just wanna chill and vibe to its smooth songs. Authentically well-produced and with a great tracklist frame. Kudos to Ella and every single one that worked to create this masterpiece!… Expand
  2. HoldOn
    Oct 12, 2018
    10
    Authentically well-produced, vocals on point, great lyrics and storyteller. Smooth and fyah!
  4. Del_Banks
    Oct 12, 2018
    10
    Gorgeous album. It was worth the wait. I loved the throwback 90's R&B with her passionate vocals.
  5. CHristianLamar
    Jun 8, 2019
    9
    This debut is outstanding! There's an excellent amount of silky R&B songs that you can get lost, happy and satisfied in the span of an hourThis debut is outstanding! There's an excellent amount of silky R&B songs that you can get lost, happy and satisfied in the span of an hour with these 15-16 tracks. 9/10=A-… Expand
  6. Dsros96
    Oct 5, 2022
    9
    Very solid debut R&B album, Ella Mai has made a cohesive album yet not plain, with some upbeat songs.
  7. wildheart
    Nov 11, 2018
    7
    Ella Mai blew up earlier this year with "Boo'd Up," an R&B-megahit mixing a 90s throwback sound with current and fresh elements, crafted byElla Mai blew up earlier this year with "Boo'd Up," an R&B-megahit mixing a 90s throwback sound with current and fresh elements, crafted by her mentor DJ Mustard. After such an introduction to the world, the breakthrough British singer-songwriter unveils her eponymous debut album. What is immediately striking on "Ella Mai" is that all of the songs are in the vein of "Boo'd Up": smooth and sassy tracks which use the best elements of major R&B hits from the 90s on catchy and modern production to make them feel fresh and current.

    As one could expect from a DJ Mustard-executively-produced-album, the songs on "Ella Mai" end up sounding a bit repetitive. But fortunately, the record has... Ella Mai - and that's probably why it is titled properly! The promising young artist really makes her debut album interesting. She really carries the songs, her voice is smooth and her delivery is almost all the time on point and helps to elevate some of the tracks substantially ("Dangerous" or "Sauce" for example). One of the album's highlights, "Gut Feeling," is the perfect mix between a throwback and a 2018 R&B mid-tempo jam. Ella Mai's chemistry with H.E.R. works perfectly, the song being the only collaboration that actually brings something to this album (Mai's union with John Legend being a real lackluster and "Whatchamacallit," a duet with Chris Brown, sounding like a reject from his latest album). Other highlights include the sassy and catchy "Cheap Shot," "Good Bad," "Trip" - which sounds even more like a hit single than "Boo'd Up" - or the typical but beautiful album closer "Easy."

    "Ella Mai" isn't exactly the revelation DJ Mustard pretended it was going to be but it introduces the British songstress as a promising talent and offers a collection of nicely produced throwbacks that any 90s R&B fan will surely appreciate.

    Key tracks: "Gut Feeling," "Trip," "Dangerous."    … Expand
  8. adanambrosio
    Oct 13, 2018
    1
    Boo'd Up is the only song that's good. It's the most overrated album SO FAR -_-

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Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed Album of 2018