III
by Banks
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 115 out of 134
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 134
  3. Negative: 10 out of 134
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  1. senormelvo
    Jul 15, 2019
    10
    lowkey, watching an artist evolve with their music throughout the years is admiring. yes, it did take a few listens to completely digest and understand this album, disregard the fact that banks nearly ditches her dark-electronica sound for half of iii , and completely embrace another side of banks I was so unaware I was ready for. honestly, iii is unlike her first two albums and that makeslowkey, watching an artist evolve with their music throughout the years is admiring. yes, it did take a few listens to completely digest and understand this album, disregard the fact that banks nearly ditches her dark-electronica sound for half of iii , and completely embrace another side of banks I was so unaware I was ready for. honestly, iii is unlike her first two albums and that makes this album so refreshing to listen. there are glimpses of dark-pop banks, but she also introduces a more softer, delicate yet playful side of her soul which she bares so well. she remains blunt with her lyrics, sometimes sloppy and harsh with delivery but that's an admiring trait that i pray banks never censors. the three years inbetween albums were long yet a rewarding wait.

    highlights: till now, contaminated, sawzall, hawaiian mazes, if we were made of water    … Expand
  2. yxy
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This is how an artist should evolve. Her progression is noticeable and with ||| Banks really sets the bar higher than she has before.
  3. matlawall
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    Her most powerful album so far. The on fleek music production matches the lyrics perfectly. An empowering album that will get you dancing around as Banks takes you to different places.
  4. oxmarxrey
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    This is such a great and cohesive album. It has everything from good production to catchy lyrics and vulnerability as well. BANKS shows such a good evolution in her artistic ability and we are here for it!
  5. PureHero
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    Lyrical content is beyond words. Because it is pure emotions. The production is also perfect, as always. Can't pick one favourite from the album. There are too many masterpieces.
    Gimme
    Propaganda
    Godless
    Stroke
    Contaminated
    In no particular order show the best of the album.
  6. ridewithourflow
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    IT SLAPS
    Good production, solid bops mixed with heartfelt modern ballads
    There are literally no skips in this album
  7. lorenzzz
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    Honestly, her best album yet. The production is on point and very different from her previous work, yet still with the BANKS DNA throughout. Beautifully composed songs, lyrically very advanced and catchy too. The album is experimental which is probably why some might not like this, but I truly feel this is the direction BANKS should go in and she's definitely evolving, so is her music.
  8. rennyzito
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This album is just perfect. I loved the lyrics, the production and her voice.
  9. ozzyiie
    Jul 13, 2019
    9
    absolutely stunning, from the heart. spoke to my soul in ways music hasn’t done before. relatable for anyone healing, food for the soul. beautiful
  10. SirenKisses
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    a 10/10 unique banks sound, a 10/10 album.
    Every song is uniquely different yet doesn't make you feel like losing her idenitiy while listening, every song was thought-thru, based on a 30th listen. yes i love banks so much. you have the semi up-tempo songs "Gimme, Propaganda, Alaska....." then strips down with "Hawaiian Mazes, Sawzall, Look What you're doing to me, If we were made of    a 10/10 unique banks sound, a 10/10 album.
    Every song is uniquely different yet doesn't make you feel like losing her idenitiy while listening, every song was thought-thru, based on a 30th listen. yes i love banks so much. you have the semi up-tempo songs "Gimme, Propaganda, Alaska....." then strips down with "Hawaiian Mazes, Sawzall, Look What you're doing to me, If we were made of water...." let's you sink into the unique banks sound, a dark-emotional journey with "Stroke, Till Now, Godless" Thank you Jillian Banks.     … Expand
  11. Wael
    Jul 14, 2019
    8
    After she found her sound and her identity on "The Altar", "III" sees Banks elaborating that identity furthermore and not holding anything back. Whether it'd be on the bass-heavy, fierce tracks ('Stroke', 'Gimme', 'The Fall') or the softer-sounding ballads ('If We Were Made of Water', 'Contaminated'), Banks wears her heart on her sleeve, and makes us dive head-first into pages of herAfter she found her sound and her identity on "The Altar", "III" sees Banks elaborating that identity furthermore and not holding anything back. Whether it'd be on the bass-heavy, fierce tracks ('Stroke', 'Gimme', 'The Fall') or the softer-sounding ballads ('If We Were Made of Water', 'Contaminated'), Banks wears her heart on her sleeve, and makes us dive head-first into pages of her diary. She even introduces a new, more organic sound on tracks like 'Sawzall' and 'Hawaiian Mazes', which goes very well with her vibe in general. Her vocals are less restrained than any of her other projects ('Till Now', a stellar introduction to the record, features her raspiest vocals ever), and the productions are very well made.
    All in all, "III" is a great alternative-pop record, proving that she really is "that **** she proclaims she is on 'Gimme'.    … Expand
  12. val99
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This is the best album of 2019. The lyricism, production, and the way Banks can try something new but it still sound like HER is amazing. And like all of her albums I love how personal she is. Amazing album by an amazing artist. We love you Banks!!
  13. gabytff
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    Melhor álbum da carreira.

    ........... ... ....................... ....
  14. Tyrion123
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    Her best album. Lyrics are on point and production is brilliant as always in her work. All 13 songs are amazing but Contaminated is a new highlight career. Well done Banks.
  15. marcmyworks
    Jul 15, 2019
    8
    Bank's III is a better than decent, in fact it is quite good. Unlike 'The Altar' there is not as much experimentation with sound variation and there is a stronger cohesion. Unlike 'The Altar' there aren't as many memorable tracks.
    Listen to: Gimme, Look What You're Your Doing to Me, Stroke, Propaganda.
  16. tallonrk1
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    This album slaps. Nothing else needs to be said. From top to bottom, banger after banger.
  17. PEDROSILVERO6
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    An incredible album, the return of a great artist with very good lyrics and sounds. Excellent return.
  18. behzatgoren
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    The most perfect album of 2019, which is hard but also so soft. It shows us a smartful art with the lyrics
  19. darkdrey
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    Um album perfeito!! banks eu te amo demais cara. com uma atmosfera nova e brilhante, banks trás uma vibe mais "feliz" pra sua discografia com o "III", provavelmente um dos melhores álbuns de 2019
  20. xoxodavi
    Jul 12, 2019
    9
    Banks gives us one of her best performances in this album. Although she is not a exume vocalist, she’s aware of that and puts out deep intense layers of computer-generated voices and echoes that mixes with the general ambience of the album. The work also it’s comparable to her debut ‘Goddess’ due to the similarities of the lyrical content and production. Sintetizeis, digital drums,Banks gives us one of her best performances in this album. Although she is not a exume vocalist, she’s aware of that and puts out deep intense layers of computer-generated voices and echoes that mixes with the general ambience of the album. The work also it’s comparable to her debut ‘Goddess’ due to the similarities of the lyrical content and production. Sintetizeis, digital drums, over-saturated soundbox sounds permeate most of the songs, which is all about interesting and unpredictable. But the album also has some minimalist and laid back songs for us listeners to breath though the demse atmosphere that the album is included. To be better, the album could be a little shorter. Amazing body of work l!… Expand
  21. sweetenerartpop
    Jul 14, 2019
    10
    PERFEIÇÃO ♡ um trabalho digno, que representa uma grande evolução e crescimento profissional.
  22. juangalmeidx
    Jul 12, 2019
    9
    AMAZING ALBUM, Banks nailed again, as usual, but still a few songs didn’t click for me. My faves are Contaminated - which is just everything-, Stroke, Godless, Hawaiian Mazes.
  23. Mark1998
    Aug 31, 2019
    8
    Don't be scared if you are not convinced on the first listen. This album might take time to understand it. But it delivers. BIG TIME. Banks presents elaborate songs and productions but the same tools used to create masterpieces such as "Gimme", "Propaganda" or "The Fall" might backfire: "Look What You're Doing to Me" is the proof. Overall the album is really strong and serves to bring aDon't be scared if you are not convinced on the first listen. This album might take time to understand it. But it delivers. BIG TIME. Banks presents elaborate songs and productions but the same tools used to create masterpieces such as "Gimme", "Propaganda" or "The Fall" might backfire: "Look What You're Doing to Me" is the proof. Overall the album is really strong and serves to bring a relatively new artist to the spotlight. Watch-out. Her next move might define the pop/alternative world of music.… Expand
  24. Dani-el
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Incrível, parece uma sinfonia nos meus ouvidos. Banks nunca erra em seus álbuns!… Expand
  25. xtiangunn
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of her best albums and is her most unique for her fans to listen to. GODLESS. is one of the best songs of her career! It should be a radio HIT!… Expand
  26. awmackie95
    Jul 12, 2019
    9
    Banks succeeds in pushing her music to new levels on III. Where her previous detractors critiqued her previous brooding albums for being too low-key, this album steps up the production and tempo. Her vocals are allowed to breathe in the final two songs, whereas the first half of the album feels like Goddess and The Altar. Miss some of the darker themes but love it completely.
  27. mrbldrs
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    This album is definitely one of the best albums of the year! BANKS serves us a beautiful story about her life in 13 songs and it’s absolutely worth listening. Album is lyrically stunning and you can hear it from the first minutes. The balance between slower and these uptempo ones is so good. Songs give me goosebumps every time I listen to them! It will be a tough challenge for otherThis album is definitely one of the best albums of the year! BANKS serves us a beautiful story about her life in 13 songs and it’s absolutely worth listening. Album is lyrically stunning and you can hear it from the first minutes. The balance between slower and these uptempo ones is so good. Songs give me goosebumps every time I listen to them! It will be a tough challenge for other artists to make a better longplay than this one.… Expand
  28. natalybrus
    Jul 12, 2019
    10
    She has done it again. An amazing album full of emotional lyrics and sick beats you can dance your ass off to. But her style's not something everyone can like and appreciate. It is unusual, maybe even weird. But these sometimes gospel, sometimes tropical and sometimes ballad-ish vibes create such a mood! She is so talented and so open and raw, it's like I can feel the things she wentShe has done it again. An amazing album full of emotional lyrics and sick beats you can dance your ass off to. But her style's not something everyone can like and appreciate. It is unusual, maybe even weird. But these sometimes gospel, sometimes tropical and sometimes ballad-ish vibes create such a mood! She is so talented and so open and raw, it's like I can feel the things she went through writing this album. I'm in awe. I'm in tears. It takes a real legend to create something so powerful! I love BANKS! She never disappoints. 10/10. I'm listening to it on repeat for the next century ok bye.… Expand
  29. Project57821
    Jul 12, 2019
    8
    With an intro that seems reminiscent of a love child between, Bon Iver, Halsey, and Kanye West, the album sets of a rather discomforting comfort of a musical centerpiece that will test what we deem to be the "conventional" BANKS. While this new, heavier, and more ravishing version of the Princess of Emo R&B is refreshing, the high quality, pulsating production and emphatic pressure of thisWith an intro that seems reminiscent of a love child between, Bon Iver, Halsey, and Kanye West, the album sets of a rather discomforting comfort of a musical centerpiece that will test what we deem to be the "conventional" BANKS. While this new, heavier, and more ravishing version of the Princess of Emo R&B is refreshing, the high quality, pulsating production and emphatic pressure of this work is the highlight. With a collection of a few proving love songs and motifs that seem rather close to her thematic counterpart The Weeknd, BANKS does an excellent job at providing her most complete LP to date.… Expand
  30. Timothydanielob
    Jul 13, 2019
    9
    She continues to push her boundaries, making a dark & emotional album similar yet new from her previous two. My favorite of her discography.
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Pitchfork
    Jul 17, 2019
    65
    While she can’t always shake the anodyne songwriting that plagued her past work, it’s still her best album to date.
    Read full review
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 15, 2019
    100
    As with all the best sets, it’s coherent but not repetitive, the ghostly Auto-Tune choir, which features on most tracks, sighing and whispering encouragement behind Banks’s increasingly empowered words. There are shades of Bon Iver and Billie Eilish in her layered, subtle sound, but also a rare, steely delicacy all her own.
    Read full review
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jul 12, 2019
    40
    [The off-trend songs like Alaska, Sawzall and Hawaiian Mazes] feel freer, more exciting and more innovative. But III isn’t that. Instead, for the most part, it feels like Banks-by-numbers.
    Read full review
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