If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
by Halsey
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Aug 27, 2021
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 712 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 640 out of 712
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 712
  3. Negative: 54 out of 712
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  1. Fer1807
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is so good. Easier than Lying is the best song ever. Halsey never disappoints.… Expand
  2. msoldi180
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    So, when this album was released, and at the first listen i was blown away, intro track The Tradition was amazing, love it, and when it comes to Bells in Santa Fe, that track is magnificent, amazing, i will say this for rest of the album, i just love it, it's different from her past Records, and my favorite tracks are: Girl with a gun, I'm not a woman, I'm a god & Lilith
  3. victoriaaoliv
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    the word for this album is "perfection", as it's nice to know this introspective side of halsey. the best album she's ever made, everything thought out in detail, from the lyrics full of metaphors to the flawless production that makes the album completely perfect. I need to listen to this album several times to be able to capture all the magnificence and sensitivity it brings. simply thethe word for this album is "perfection", as it's nice to know this introspective side of halsey. the best album she's ever made, everything thought out in detail, from the lyrics full of metaphors to the flawless production that makes the album completely perfect. I need to listen to this album several times to be able to capture all the magnificence and sensitivity it brings. simply the best album of 2021.… Expand
  4. THERAMROD
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Very solid album. And NIN reminisce, which is not surprising at all knowing the producers handling this album. Love the industrial in it. It is not just added as ornaments, but actually blatantly and proudly shown. In effect to that, this album got into full bloom, it flourished. Halsey's vocals is the best they have ever presented thus far. They added so much conviction into it. I dareVery solid album. And NIN reminisce, which is not surprising at all knowing the producers handling this album. Love the industrial in it. It is not just added as ornaments, but actually blatantly and proudly shown. In effect to that, this album got into full bloom, it flourished. Halsey's vocals is the best they have ever presented thus far. They added so much conviction into it. I dare say this album is Halsey's magnum opus. Bookmark it.

    I will say, this album is for everyone who got tired of slow, sappy and breathy sounding, or half assed alternative album. Alternative don't, and shouldn't, always means emulating Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, or early Jewel. Being a hard ass blowing up in your face is also constitutes as an alternative. If NIN ever have a femme side, this album perfectly depicted that. 10/10    … Expand
  5. ercilcano
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Halsey's best work so far. The dark, haunting opening song lets you enter the album and a great world that Halsey creates with this album.
  6. rabbitwhite
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    this album is definitely one of the best of the year, each track shows Halsey's presence, deserves many grammys and awards and not to mention the movie she made while pregnant, Halsey a real artist.
  7. maricaleninista
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    I am completely speechless and feeling literally every single emotion I could ever feel. This is the album of my life. 10/10
  8. 09shawnee
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    this album is so different and cool great job! It has a different sound that made me feel powerful and cry at the same time
  9. Unaiparejo
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    It’s her best album to date. It’s amazing how it gets you into this story. She’s undoubtedly a genius.
  10. coveredinyou
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Absolutely amazing. The production, the songwriting, everything was fascinating.
  11. eylull
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    It is mind blowing. Every song on the album is incredible. Halsey never disappoints
  12. Raven_666
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    This album is an absolute masterpiece I'm speechless It's so powerful Halsey is definitely a God
  13. Iambyebyekitty
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    iconic. Halsey is so talented. Cant choose my fav song, bcs every song is catchy and great! Good job!
  14. Ellieoc238
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Honestly, the range Halsey has on this album is phenomenal! The raw vocals alone give Me goosebumps. IICHLIWP shows how much Halsey has grown as an artist, not just her vocals but lyrics and melodies, within the last 6/7 years. Another serious competitor for AOTY with no skips!!
  15. alxssio
    Aug 28, 2021
    10
    This album is an absolute masterpiece I'm speechless, she really surpassed herself with this album, almost every track is so good.
  16. AlissonBernard
    Aug 29, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Halsey continues to bring her artist side more and more. the album totally cohesive from beginning to end. All the melodies very well elaborated, and the highlight is the very powerful voice with the mixture of dark timbre that the artist proposes.… Expand
  17. Helbert
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    Even expecting the best from her, I'm totally surprised with the quality of this work. It definitely surpassed my already high expectations. Vocals, production, concept and lyrics... Everything is on point on this album. Halsey reinforces she is a true artist and she came to leave her mark on the industry.
  18. DanielQuintana
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. without a doubt the best album of the year so far, each song is a complete world that lets you experience every part of halsey's general thinking. 100/100❤️‍… Expand
  19. selsmanic
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    this album is truly a masterpiece she really did a solid 10/10 stunning album with no skips, with very captivating lyrics and SPECTACULAR production, wonderful vocal delivery and great story telling. So proud of them they have been working so hard and this is truly their best album to date (imo alongside Badlands). I'm truly speechless she left me with no words only amused with thisthis album is truly a masterpiece she really did a solid 10/10 stunning album with no skips, with very captivating lyrics and SPECTACULAR production, wonderful vocal delivery and great story telling. So proud of them they have been working so hard and this is truly their best album to date (imo alongside Badlands). I'm truly speechless she left me with no words only amused with this masterpiece! Hope it gets the recognition it deserves cause this is the best album this year so far.… Expand
  20. frozenpinky
    Sep 8, 2021
    8
    At first listen some will claim this album is a chocolate cheeseburger: Everybody loves chocolate, and everybody loves cheeseburgers. But not necessarily together. Halsey’s voice is beautiful, and Reznor/Ross’s music is phenomenal. Yet some may say that they don't necessarily go well together. But after a second and third listen, you realize that they go together really perfectly.
  21. Menios
    Oct 29, 2021
    7
    It was an unexpectedly good album by Halesy. Especially dropping that suddenly and not disappointing the fans.
  22. gravesisme
    Aug 28, 2021
    10
    I stumbled onto this because I've been a lifelong Nice Inch Nails fan, and generally a fan of Trent and Atticus. I am not a woman, I'm a god will have you thinking you found a hidden track on The Pretty Hate Machine. Good stuff.
  23. FirebreatherID
    Aug 29, 2021
    10
    One of the best albums of the year so far. As good as Sawayama by Rina Sawayama.
    Both albums deserves a grammy but we all know scammys
  24. parkdog123
    Aug 31, 2021
    10
    This album is AMAZING. I am not a super fan of Halsey, but when I listened to this album straight through for the very first time, I enjoyed all of the songs. There is not a bad song on this album- this album is honestly Album of the Year worthy. The production on this album is so unique and captivating. I sincerely hope this album gets the recognition that it deserves. Also, I enjoyedThis album is AMAZING. I am not a super fan of Halsey, but when I listened to this album straight through for the very first time, I enjoyed all of the songs. There is not a bad song on this album- this album is honestly Album of the Year worthy. The production on this album is so unique and captivating. I sincerely hope this album gets the recognition that it deserves. Also, I enjoyed this album more than Halsey's last album "Manic" as well!

    My rating is a STRONG 10 out of 10 and overall I highly recommend this album to anyone!    … Expand
  25. dasha1097
    Aug 27, 2021
    9
    Listened because of Trent Reznor production and he with Halsey did not disappoint! I’m not the biggest their fan, but really impressed with this work! Spectacular and grandness album, the concept and execution!
  26. daironbustos
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The work on this album is completely wonderful and complex, it brings you to the power that Halsey tries to capture, the production work is spectral… Expand
  27. adriandelgrant
    Aug 27, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is just ART, it’s a whole new experience. Halsey just surpassed all my expectations.… Expand
  28. markribes
    Sep 6, 2021
    10
    Me gusto mucho su album, es mi segundo favorito de ella. Todas las canciones son escuchables y disfrutables.
  29. TwistedNine
    Sep 5, 2021
    10
    I want to focus on the fact here that this album was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus, with Halsey writing and singing.

    I have always been a fan of Halsey, but by no means a die hard Halsey fan. There's typically one song from each of her albums I like. This album goes far beyond previous works . The combination of Reznor/Atticus with Halsey works amazing (I am a huge NIN fan). Most    I want to focus on the fact here that this album was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus, with Halsey writing and singing.

    I have always been a fan of Halsey, but by no means a die hard Halsey fan. There's typically one song from each of her albums I like.

    This album goes far beyond previous works . The combination of Reznor/Atticus with Halsey works amazing (I am a huge NIN fan).

    Most of this album has ended up on my daily playlist. The trio is without a doubt going to win a grammy.    … Expand
  30. manningn15
    Sep 3, 2021
    10
    If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power is a masterpiece, the concept and self-empowerment and feminist themes of the album are superb. The production is exceptional, I love how theatrical it is and also love rock and industrial influences. The songwriting especially the lyrical content is outstanding, I just love how storytelling and autobiographical she is with her lyrics. The artworks isIf I Can't Have Love, I Want Power is a masterpiece, the concept and self-empowerment and feminist themes of the album are superb. The production is exceptional, I love how theatrical it is and also love rock and industrial influences. The songwriting especially the lyrical content is outstanding, I just love how storytelling and autobiographical she is with her lyrics. The artworks is gorgeous, love how she went for a Renaissance theme for the visuals of the album. Also Halsey gives some of her best vocals performances on this album. This is an A+ album, definitely would say her greatest work so far and my new favorite album of the year so far.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. No Ripcord
    Aug 30, 2021
    70
    Compared to this summer's pop offerings—think of the similarly themed efforts by Billie Eilish and Lorde, both of which deal with the trappings of fame with serenity and blissful detachment, respectively—If I Can't Get Love, I Want Power is provocative, and even ugly, in its most vulnerable moments. Self-indulgent, sure, but its emotional chaos feels earned.
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 30, 2021
    60
    Easier Than Lying is shouty and electronic, while You Asked for This finds Halsey fronting a Smashing Pumpkins pastiche. Amid all the Sturm und Drang and sludgy oompah (The Lighthouse) there is some high-quality writing, chiefly in the pizzicato niggles and Jesus analogies of Bells in Santa Fe (“it’s not a happy ending”) and Whispers.
    Read full review
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 30, 2021
    82
    If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is on an upward trajectory in terms of Halsey releasing quality music. By and by, Halsey may not have love, but her latest record is power.
    Read full review
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