Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. Akon sounds more comfortable than expected, and he reduces the lechery in favor of longing ("I wanna make up right now") and awe ("When I see you, I run out of words to say"). At times, the tensionless backdrops don't inspire Akon to do much with his pen.
  2. While 'Troublemaker' and 'Holla Holla' each sound a lot like prior Akon songs (the former like Kardinal Offishall's 'Dangerous,' the latter like '07's Akon/T-Pain pairing 'Bartender'), ultimately they're highlights for that very reason.
  3. 50
    On album three, he tests out heartbreak, and his emotional wiring doesn’t cooperate.
  4. This tuneful, seemingly effortless set of sun-kissed pop reminds you why he's in so much demand.
  5. Despite a preponderance of uptempo songs that puts Freedom in similar territory to Ne-Yo, the record is still very recognisably Akon.
  6. Akon's philosophy of liberty also includes the freedom to reuse nearly identical hooks for 13 songs straight. That approach may bring him plenty money, but it yields only a few legitimately fun tracks, buried beneath a pile of boring retreads.
  7. Akon's undeniable gift for hooks makes this an easy listen, and the ex-con posturing isn't missed.
  8. Mojo
    60
    The writing on this third album's greatest strength. [Feb 2009, p.109]
  9. Unfortunately, all this really means is an extra emphasis on weirdly pitched keyboard riffs and slightly dated sounding beats.
  10. Somehow, fond recollections of the bad old days in the ghetto with fellow superstar Wyclef Jean just don’t have the same resonance and uplifting power as previous songs that came from a place of near-defeat and unfulfilled aspirations.
  11. If anything, the album sounds like a CD-R of demos that an aspiring pop star wouldn’t mind losing.
  12. Freedom will be a disappointment, and a predictable one at that.
  13. Beneath the digital production and R2D2 vocals, Akon is secretly an old-fashioned romantic, and his third album is his most heart-on-sleeve.
  14. Freedom is mostly lame club tunes with mega-auto-tuned vocals about wishing "I could just stop by and lay by your side."
  15. Despite his hip-hop roots and the presence of guest rappers such as Lil Wayne, it's Akon's buoyant pop sensibility that prevails.
  16. Whatever the reason, Freedom forgoes almost any signifiers that might pigeonhole him.
  17. Uncut
    40
    Every track here is interchangeable, not only with each other, but with anything from his back catalogue. [Feb 2009, p.76]
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 44
  2. Negative: 8 out of 44
  1. Apr 27, 2014
    5
    I have always been a fan of Akon. I think "Konvicted" was one of the best albums of 2006. "Freedom" however took a couple of steps back forI have always been a fan of Akon. I think "Konvicted" was one of the best albums of 2006. "Freedom" however took a couple of steps back for me. There are some decent songs on here like "I'm So Paid" and "Right Now" but for every decent song there's a crappy one like "Holla Holla" and "Over the Edge". Okay album but could have been alot better. Full Review »
  2. Mar 7, 2013
    5
    It has nice soundsbut Akon misses the point in the creation of most of these songs.
  3. Oct 22, 2010
    8
    Yikes! Akon was always good, but this album is pretty awesome even for him. Almost every song is well writen and runs to a catchy tune. KeepYikes! Akon was always good, but this album is pretty awesome even for him. Almost every song is well writen and runs to a catchy tune. Keep it up, Kon! Full Review »