Evolve or Be Extinct
by Wiley
  • Record Label: Big Dada
  • Release Date: Jan 19, 2012
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Okayplayer
    Mar 27, 2012
    82
    This album may not appeal to some (especially those heads looking strictly for lyricism and weighty content). However, fans of both grime and dubstep will undoubtedly enjoy this offering, and most notably: Wiley's evolution.
  2. PopMatters
    Mar 23, 2012
    80
    Evolve or be Extinct succeeds as both a collection of songs for public use--dancing, drinking, celebrating Christmas, protesting customs officials--and as a complex portrait of the artist who's sacrificed his sleep and sanity to create them.
  3. Mixmag
    Feb 10, 2012
    80
    Wiley's finally made the album that his talent warrants.
  5. Mojo
    Jan 31, 2012
    80
    His best yet. [Feb 2012, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jan 18, 2012
    80
    It takes a pretty special type of artist to release 11 zip files of music for free, follow that up with three albums within a year and still pique your interest when a new release crosses the doorstep. But such is the way of Wiley.
  7. The Guardian
    Jan 12, 2012
    80
    Every song has something to intrigue.
  8. Q Magazine
    Jan 10, 2012
    80
    [An album] that's up there with its maverick creator's best.[Feb. 2012 p. 105]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 9, 2012
    80
    It's bonkers and frequently brilliant.
  10. Pitchfork
    Jan 17, 2012
    72
    It's one of his best, a mostly single-minded return to the on-the-mic fierceness and computers-go-tribal rhythms that first made his name.
  11. AllMusic
    Feb 17, 2012
    70
    Warts and all, this is one of the strongest albums in Wiley's already impressive catalog.
  12. The Wire
    Jan 23, 2012
    70
    Wiley is one of those rare double-threats, blessed with both production and MCing abilities. [Jan. 2012, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. The Quietus
    Jan 12, 2012
    70
    There is so much to be enjoyed on 'Evolve Or Be Extinct' though - such fluid virtuosity - that the occasional blip does not cloud the overall picture.
  14. musicOMH.com
    Jan 10, 2012
    70
    For all its innovativity and dogged determinism, the album's latter moments just can't compete with the top heavy appeal of its opening tracks.
  15. RapReviews.com
    Jan 24, 2012
    65
    At his best on "Evolve or Be Extinct", though, he reaches a pleasing mixture of understated beats and slice-of-life rhymes that are occasionally profound. At his worst, songs like "Scar" have neither beats nor rhymes I ever want to hear again.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JGreenwoodW
    Jan 26, 2012
    10
    The album has a great song and some really catchy songs like Boom Blast and Daiquiris and then gives you a chill out factor with Only Human.The album has a great song and some really catchy songs like Boom Blast and Daiquiris and then gives you a chill out factor with Only Human. The fact Wiley doesn't bring in backing vocals form females in order to get some sales brings a refreshing wave to me as many rappers and other artists seem to do that and its all about mainstream music. Great mix of songs and a big improvement on 100% Publishing.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »