Heaux Tales
by Jazmine Sullivan
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jan 8, 2021
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 55
  3. Negative: 2 out of 55
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  1. Heyitscarlos
    Jan 14, 2021
    10
    The EP is epic, there is story line, there are characters, there is a climax. Jazmine has this ability to hit you right in the gut with her vocals, including her gift of song writing. I believe every word she sings and writes. I love the features on the EP as well, Ari, HER and Anderson did a really good job of adding to the stories on this record.
  2. amandaaraujo_
    Jan 13, 2021
    10
    Though brief, with a runtime of just over 30-minutes, the EP shows Sullivan crafting a complete constellation of love and loss.
  3. SoundOfAMan
    Jan 13, 2021
    10
    I am super glad that Jazmine decided to go back to music. I was missing her cadence and smart lyrics, her perfect runs and riffs, and of course her wonderful and humorous voice!
  4. jeffer21
    Jan 31, 2021
    8
    this new project from jazmine comes with the highest level, eclectic, mature, melodic, just shows her talent
  5. petcheeta
    Jan 13, 2021
    10
    This EP is simply amazing! Jazmine's voice is on point and her singing skills are still completely heavenly.
  6. WHaywood
    Jan 16, 2021
    10
    I know Jazmine said that this project technically “isn’t an album,” but it’s so good that it might as well be
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 17, 2021
    7
    Wow. This album is great . I'll admit the first listen didn't affect me as much as the lead single but once i digested it i understood it's brilliance . The first great album if 2021 although definitely to weak to be an AOTY contender it's sure to occupy many latter halves of year end lists.
  8. Maqanya
    Jan 13, 2021
    9
    Great story telling, even though it’s an EP I just wanna call it an album. She’s very sexual with this effort, showing a side of her that I’ve never seen or heard before. Can’t stop playing it
  9. 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 of this world. 10/10
  10. 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 AOTY nomination at least. Period.
  11. 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 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 areWow! 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
  12. 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
  13. GabrielDubuc
    Jan 22, 2021
    9
    "It's a album to not be bored"

    There's so much going on in this album, that it would take a least thirty minutes to write a descent review of this album.

    It's a rich and diverse songwriting divided in a comfort zone sound that doesn't have fear to experiment, accompanied of meaningful lyrics and conversation about feminism and how sex is not just a man achievement.
  14. 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 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 tacklesHeaux 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
  15. swiftexileee
    Feb 6, 2021
    7
    I like how the "tale" tracks supports the succeeding tracks like it was a story-telling music composition. Pick Up Your Feelings is the best track of the album. Not quite impressed lyrically but has a good production.
  16. leumassregor
    Dec 23, 2021
    8
    A wonderful project that is carefully constructed and put together. Jazmine once again effortlessly shows her vocal ability and steps outside of her usual production box. The story line and message is nonchalant and just badass!
  17. JakobMe
    Mar 6, 2022
    6
    It's very ambitious about the storytelling through the album, but the songs are not so catchy.
  18. mctthewgroom
    Aug 26, 2021
    9
    BEAUTIFUL R & B album. Concise, great sound and incredible vocals. Pick Up Your Feelings is a favourite for me
  19. spongki
    Dec 15, 2021
    7
    I was really looking forward to listening to Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales, a concept EP that has been gaining a lot of attention as we approach the end of the year. Heaux Tales delves at Black women's sexuality in a nuanced and sensitive approach, highlighting the possibilities for power, agency, beauty, and sacredness. In a world shaped by anti-Black and misogynist sexual politics, thisI was really looking forward to listening to Jazmine Sullivan's Heaux Tales, a concept EP that has been gaining a lot of attention as we approach the end of the year. Heaux Tales delves at Black women's sexuality in a nuanced and sensitive approach, highlighting the possibilities for power, agency, beauty, and sacredness. In a world shaped by anti-Black and misogynist sexual politics, this is a crucial message, and Sullivan masterfully incorporates it into her music on Heaux Tales. Musically, the songs are passable nu-R&B/soul, produced in part by indie R&B icon Dev Hynes, and interspersed with interview vignettes with Black women in Sullivan's life discussing their sexual experiences. Heaux Tales is a full-fledged album with everything: concept, lyrics, production, and performances.… Expand
  20. 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 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.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Jan 15, 2021
    70
    Heaux Tales doesn't have the heft of Fearless, Love Me Back, or Reality Show, but few contemporary R&B LPs twice its length are as substantive.
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