Gemini
by Macklemore
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Spin
    Sep 27, 2017
    60
    It’s too long, and large parts of it are corny or forgettable, but in the context of Macklemore as a pop musician--and not a rapper--it doubles down on his strengths: well-crafted, sincere verses about his personal experiences combined with a better hook, usually provided by someone else.
  2. RapReviews.com
    Sep 26, 2017
    60
    While the beats are mostly good, it feels like Macklemore missed out on an opportunity to really set his solo career apart from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
  3. Rolling Stone
    Sep 22, 2017
    60
    Partying tunes like the funky "Firebreather" sometimes feel like not much more than a rich white guy bragging. But Macklemore's trademark awkward humanity comes through on "Good Old Days," a reflection on aging (with Kesha), and "Church," a thank-you letter to making it that's warm, vivid, earnest and earned.
  5. HipHopDX
    Oct 3, 2017
    58
    When Macklemore deviates from his familiar sound, he gets mixed results.
  6. Pitchfork
    Sep 26, 2017
    54
    The record is not wondrous, but it’s a light listen with a couple of good moments and a handful of clunkers. The weaker moments reveal his shortcomings as a rapper without being provocative or ponderous enough to provoke a firebomb, or even a raspberry, in response.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Sep 22, 2017
    50
    This is the same old Macklemore, stuffing all of his songs with drop-out catchphrases and horn solos and minutes-long American Idol-style belting, all starry-eyed and corny in the same way that, say, the music in a Broadway musical is.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Discussed Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 75
  3. Negative: 15 out of 75
  1. YT_Guyyy
    Sep 28, 2017
    1
    I liked The Heist, it was a decent pop rap album, This Unruly Mess was horrible, but somehow this is worse. It's just normal Macklemore withI liked The Heist, it was a decent pop rap album, This Unruly Mess was horrible, but somehow this is worse. It's just normal Macklemore with everything bad turned up to 11. More bad lyrics, more mediocre beats, etc..

    Ain't Gonna Die Tonight was OK except for Eric Nally squealing like a pig being killed, Glorious is actually pretty OK but not glorious. Marmalade is kind of a fun song but it's nothing I haven't heard before from Macklemore or Yachty. Especially Yachty. Willy Wonka definitely has some bars as Macklemore himself says, but the chorus(es) are mediocre at best.

    Intentions made me want to intentionally end my life. Goo Old Days was meh. Nothing to really say about it. Levitate got me to fully experience the migraine the rest of the songs had been building up to. Firebreather is actually kinda OK, but that riff is ripped from somewhere. The feature from Reignwolf is one of the better ones on this album. How to Play the Flute is another OK song (two in a row. Somehow). I mean it's not the worst trap song.

    Ten Million is the only song that doesn't have a feature and it's not good. I wish there were a word to describe my thoughts on this. I guess a long groan would be sufficient. It has interesting parts and also just terrible parts. When I first heard Over It I immediately wanted to stop listening, but against my judgement I went into, you guessed it, another bad song. After Zara I genuinely just wanted to stop. Just stop. Just like stop living. It's not that bad just this all gets on you.

    I'm just not gonna list my thoughts on the rest of the songs. I have a headache too big from this album
    Ratings why not:
    Ain't Gonna Die Tonight 3
    Glorious 2
    Marmalade 1
    Willy Wonka 4
    Intentions light 1
    Good Old Days strong 2
    Levitate 2
    Firebreather 5
    How to Play the Flute 7
    Ten Million 3
    Over It 2
    Zara strong 1
    Corner Store 2
    Miracle 2
    Church 5
    Excavate 3    … Full Review »
  2. DavidWasHere
    Sep 23, 2017
    5
    This albums i a mess. At it's best it's the same corny Macklemore we all know which is endearing even if it is a bit obnoxious. HoweverThis albums i a mess. At it's best it's the same corny Macklemore we all know which is endearing even if it is a bit obnoxious. However Macklemore decides to hop on the trap rap bandwagon, and unfortunately it does not go over well. At all. It just feels so awkward! Especially when it comes from Macklemore, who was supposed to be the antitheses to mainstream rap. If this is supposed to be an attempt to get his mainstream audience back after the disaster of his last album, well I hope him the best but this album is more disappointing than infuriating like This Unruly Mess.… Full Review »
  3. MyNameIsBlank
    Sep 23, 2017
    8
    With the expectations so high, you could say Macklemore delivered a good, solid project. Less-left side of anything Macklemore has done sinceWith the expectations so high, you could say Macklemore delivered a good, solid project. Less-left side of anything Macklemore has done since his 2005 debut, "Gemini" is the most "rap" album he has made. With bangers like "Willy Wonka", "How To Play The Flute", and "Ten Million" and smooth pop-rap tracks like "Glorious", "Good Old Days", and "Zara", this album doesn't disappoint.… Full Review »
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