Heaux Tales
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Heaux Tales Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 52 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The 14-track release for the Philadelphia R&B singer features guest appearances from Anderson .Paak, H.E.R. and Ari Lennox.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Pitchfork
    Jan 13, 2021
    86
    Heaux Tales unfurls a patchwork of origins, outcomes, thrills, and disasters of coital indulgence in her most cohesive work to date. Sullivan strategically activates her regal voice with stories that are sharp, intimate, and addictive.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Jan 12, 2021
    80
    Though brief, with a runtime of just over 30-minutes, the EP shows Sullivan crafting a complete constellation of love and loss.
  3. The New York Times
    Jan 12, 2021
    80
    Spoken-word “tales” from six women — confessions and hard-earned observations — are followed by songs that flesh them out as character studies. (Although the spoken-word tracks get some accompaniment from electronic beats and gospel organ, the songs alone stand up far better to repeated listening.)
  4. Exclaim
    Jan 12, 2021
    80
    Sullivan is often overlooked as the R&B master she is, but her latest project displays the vocal range of legends before her, demonstrating her ability to capture the qualms of life and love relevant to the realities of dating in the age of the internet.
  5. Beats Per Minute
    Jan 13, 2021
    80
    Heaux Tales is a provocative return for Sullivan that showcases her incredible knack for storytelling.
  6. HipHopDX
    Jan 4, 2022
    80
    She fills her brazen concept album with shared experiences to fully encompass what it means to be a Black woman dealing with love and relationships. Every tale might not apply to every listener, but Sullivan guarantees no experience is left unrepresented.
  7. RapReviews.com
    Jan 4, 2022
    60
    Sullivan herself is certainly an artist that doesn’t follow the rules, which is why it’s mildly disappointing to hear her sound like Post Malone or Juice WRLD on tracks. For a woman with as much power and agency as she clearly has, she let too much of this release be shaped by what other people sound like in terms of the production of her vocals and her instrumentals.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. VictorHRamos
    Jan 14, 2021
    10
    An amazing EP. Jazmine is one of the best storyteller I've ever heard. The way she shows the other side of that common situation is out ofAn amazing EP. Jazmine is one of the best storyteller I've ever heard. The way she shows the other side of that common situation is out of this world. 10/10… Expand
  2. jKN
    Jan 15, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Where do I even start? I don't think anything is gonna top this EP this year. I can't stop listening, everything is just so concise and perfect. The tales, ah the tales, amazing, showstopping, inspiring, and everything nice. The songs structured to fit as many women's situation? Talk about inclusion. Damn does it get better than this? Yes, the vocals Lord Jesus! I appreciate Jazmine so much. Y'all better give this woman her flowers right now. Heaux Tales, 100/10.… Expand
  4. joshuatan
    Jul 31, 2021
    10
    Such a beautiful, beautiful body of work. This has got to be Jazmine's bet work to date. The Recording Academy must seal this for an AOTYSuch a beautiful, beautiful body of work. This has got to be Jazmine's bet work to date. The Recording Academy must seal this for an AOTY nomination at least. Period.… Expand
  5. LISOCHIKOTOSA
    Jan 16, 2021
    9
    Heaux Tales is a very good piece of work. The interludes (tales)which basically make half of the playlist introduce the tracks and theyHeaux Tales is a very good piece of work. The interludes (tales)which basically make half of the playlist introduce the tracks and they basically help to give a better understanding of the tracks. The themes of heartbreak, sex ,money and success are all woven together pretty well. The 3 guests Anderson, Ari Lennox and HER are all great. The Other Side is my personal favorite-she tackles the themes of fame and success in a somewhat cynical and funny way. Its a breath of fresh air. Great vocals and production as well.… Expand
  6. Wanesta
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Out of the blue, Jazmine Sullivan takes us into a world of dirty money, heartbreaking affairs, and empowering anthems with a unique point ofOut of the blue, Jazmine Sullivan takes us into a world of dirty money, heartbreaking affairs, and empowering anthems with a unique point of view. It’s truthful, personal, and deeply moving. If the only bad side could be how short it is, it doesn’t remove anything from how great of an album it is.… Expand
  7. connordalzin
    Feb 12, 2021
    8
    Wow! This is my first album of hers I've listened to and I’m very impressed. She gets very personal with discussing the power and politicsWow! This is my first album of hers I've listened to and I’m very impressed. She gets very personal with discussing the power and politics of sex. She addresses the power of reclaiming her body, the regrets of cheating, and unapologetically getting memorized by some good dick. The spoken interludes help reinforce the meaning of the songs and make it a powerful listen. Her vocals are absolutely killer throughout the whole thing. Her tone has this maturity to it while still feeling very free and incontrol. “Heaux Tales'' has a perfect mix of emotional and catchy. “Pick Up Your Feelings'' is a strong and confident “dumping of a loser” anthem, while on “Lost Ones”, her emotion about not wanting her ex to fall in love again is so strong she almost sounds like she’s holding back tears. This is the best r&b album I’ve heard in awhile.

    Score: 8/10

    Best Tracks: Pick Up Your Feelings, Lost Ones, The Other Side, On It, Put It Down

    Worst Tracks: Price Tags    … Expand
  8. JakobMe
    Mar 6, 2022
    6
    It's very ambitious about the storytelling through the album, but the songs are not so catchy.

See all 20 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. Best of 2021, Music

    Best of 2021: Music Critic Top Ten Lists

    Best of 2021: Music Critic Top Ten Lists Image
    Published: December 1, 2021
    Over the next month, we'll be collecting year-end top 10 album lists from over 200 music critics, publications, record stores, and other sources. Find all of those individual lists and 2021's consensus rankings inside.
    More »

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Current Music Releases

Full List »
94 Motomami - Rosalía
92 Supernova - Nova Twins
92 Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road
90 Prince & the Revolution: Live [Remastered] - Prince and the Revolution
89 Heart Under - Just Mustard
89 Feeding the Machine - Binker & Moses
89 Dear Scott - Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band
88 Proof - BTS
88 Big Time - Angel Olsen
88 Dawn FM - The Weeknd
88 Forever on My Mind - Son House
87 Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You - Big Thief
87 Tresor - Gwenno
87 This Is a Photograph - Kevin Morby
87 For You Who Are the Wronged - Kathryn Joseph
87 Summer at Land's End - The Reds, Pinks & Purples
87 Electricity - Ibibio Sound Machine
87 Wet Leg - Wet Leg
87 Sun's Signature [EP] - Sun's Signature
87 LIFE ON EARTH - Hurray for the Riff Raff
All Current Music »