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III
by
III Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 134 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Los Angeles pop artist features a guest appearance from Francis And The Lights.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 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.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Jul 9, 2019
    80
    Overall, Banks has taken a step forward in her development as an artist, and you can hear this increase in maturity across each album. At times, her evolution is not as convincing as other artists on her level, though the quality of the songwriting here generally makes up for that.
  3. Clash Music
    Jul 9, 2019
    80
    III is definitely a progression for her as an artist. The more upbeat tracks are interspersed among softer, more delicate, heartfelt ones that represent the duality of her personality and also increase its replay value.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 9, 2019
    80
    iii is probably a couple of tracks too long, but Banks has created another supremely intriguing musical world filled with ear-snagging lyrics and quirky production flourishes: the lone dog-bark sound effect before the final chorus of ‘Gimme’ is a classic Banks touch. It’s difficult to avoid the conclusion “that bitch” is a pretty apt description for her after all.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Jul 11, 2019
    80
    Banks clearly encouraged them [her collaborators] to swing for the fences: The distressed sonics her get as extreme as Low got on last year’s Double Negative, albeit in much different context. It’s thrilling, gutting stuff.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 11, 2019
    80
    III is Banks’s most cohesive album to date because she’s no longer restricting herself to exploring one feeling at a time.
  7. The Guardian
    Jul 12, 2019
    40
    The mood of the album largely feels scattered and unfocused, and nothing lands quite as well as the bass-heavy, vengeful breakup song template that she’s best known for. Banks sounds freer, and is showing new sides of herself, but they’re not all entirely convincing.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. 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
  2. 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 andlowkey, 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    … Collapse
  4. tallonrk1
    Jul 13, 2019
    10
    This album slaps. Nothing else needs to be said. From top to bottom, banger after banger.
  5. 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 comUm 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… Expand
  6. 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.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.… Expand
  7. 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-,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.… Expand
  8. pd15
    Sep 28, 2019
    0
    Una mierda de album como puede ser considerado musica esto pedazo de caca asco

See all 42 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2019

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