It Is What It Is
by Thundercat
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 68
  3. Negative: 3 out of 68
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  1. Sadvilliany
    Apr 4, 2020
    8
    Really solid project from Thundercat. I don't listen to funk all to much, but this album makes me want to. This is my first full listen through of a Thundercat album, and I'm already hooked. It feels mature, but also keeps a tone of fun. Don't have much to say other than this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and I heavily recommend it.

    Favorite Tracks: Interstellar Love,    Really solid project from Thundercat. I don't listen to funk all to much, but this album makes me want to. This is my first full listen through of a Thundercat album, and I'm already hooked. It feels mature, but also keeps a tone of fun. Don't have much to say other than this is one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and I heavily recommend it.

    Favorite Tracks: Interstellar Love, Black Qualls, Funny Thing, Dragonball Durag, It Is What It Is
    Least Favorite Track: How Sway    … Expand
  2. youruberdriver
    Apr 3, 2020
    9
    It's a really solid, funky and consistent Thundercat album with great production, "It Is What It Is" makes you feel a little bit happier in these hard times.
  3. strangetheyonny
    Apr 3, 2020
    9
    This album is as dense(if not more dense)instrumentally as Drunk, as Thundercat proves that he is a master of fusing jazz, soul, funk, electronica, and many other genres. Along with this, he pens lyrics that are at times humorous(seen with the Overseas skit ft. comedian/rap star Zack Fox and Dragonball Durag)but at other times introspective in thoughtful(through his tributes to his lateThis album is as dense(if not more dense)instrumentally as Drunk, as Thundercat proves that he is a master of fusing jazz, soul, funk, electronica, and many other genres. Along with this, he pens lyrics that are at times humorous(seen with the Overseas skit ft. comedian/rap star Zack Fox and Dragonball Durag)but at other times introspective in thoughtful(through his tributes to his late friend Mac Miller on the tracks Fair Chance and the album’s title track). This is such a beautiful album. This is the best project of his career, and it should certainly be considered one of the best projects to come out this year.… Expand
  4. RageNate
    Apr 6, 2020
    3
    Worthies (4/15):
    - Black Qualls
    - Dragonball Durag
    - King Of The Hill
    - Unrequited Love
  5. Lajaleaa
    Jun 10, 2020
    8
    ( 81/100 )

    Stephen Bruner es un compositor y bajista de Los Angeles que pertenece al nuevo mileno o Contemporary Jazz. Se denota por su estilo luxury y elegante que a impulsado a artistas como Erykah Badu y Kendrick Lamar. En este álbum, producido junto a Flying Lotus y con colaboraciones de Kamasi Washington y BADBADNOTGOOD, Thundercat se muestra con un ritmo entre chill y dance de    ( 81/100 )

    Stephen Bruner es un compositor y bajista de Los Angeles que pertenece al nuevo mileno o Contemporary Jazz. Se denota por su estilo luxury y elegante que a impulsado a artistas como Erykah Badu y Kendrick Lamar. En este álbum, producido junto a Flying Lotus y con colaboraciones de Kamasi Washington y BADBADNOTGOOD, Thundercat se muestra con un ritmo entre chill y dance de Funk, Groovy, Jazz y Acid que, junto a su canto, este trabajo de RAndB se diluirá sutilmente en el humor de la gente con armonía.
    -
    Stephen Bruner is a composer and bassist from Los Angeles that belongs to the new millennium or Contemporary Jazz. He stands out thanks to his luxury and elegant style that has propelled artists like Erykah Badu and Kendrick Lamar. In this album, produced along with Flying Lotus and with collaborations of Kamasi Washington and BADBADNOTGOOD, Thundercat presents a rhythm between chill and dance of Funk, Groovy, Jazz and Acid that, along with his singing, this work of R&B will subtly dilute in peoples mood with harmony.    … Expand
  6. SoundAndFilm
    Apr 3, 2020
    9
    Delivering more of what everyone's hungry for, It Is What It Is ticks all the boxes without ever being predictable. 

    Irresistibly funky and playful, the Drunk follow up presents a matured and soulful Thundercat on an album that makes its 37 minute run-time an absolute joy.

  7. jackmcgovrn
    Apr 5, 2020
    10
    Building off the sounds of “Drunk” and the space-age, atmospheric textures off of projects like Flying Lotus’s “Flamagra”, under which Thundercat had a heavy involvement in, “It Is What It Is” once again is another classic, seeming to only get better the more you listen to it.
  8. RafaJime
    Apr 12, 2020
    10
    His best work to date. Most cohesive album with an emotional rollercoaster that brings you into the current state of someone trying to regain his strengths after losing somebody important.
  9. Kloot1rr
    Jul 2, 2020
    7
    Thundercat, an extremely talented bassist & modern-funk-master touches the entire spectrum with this album. Whether it be a delightful ode to dear friend Mac Miller (album title is also a Miller lyric) or a comedic interlude from Zack Fox, Mr. Brunner gives the listener variety. However, the entire album's replay value is mostly low for me. Ideas don't seem to be as fully-fledged as inThundercat, an extremely talented bassist & modern-funk-master touches the entire spectrum with this album. Whether it be a delightful ode to dear friend Mac Miller (album title is also a Miller lyric) or a comedic interlude from Zack Fox, Mr. Brunner gives the listener variety. However, the entire album's replay value is mostly low for me. Ideas don't seem to be as fully-fledged as in his previous work, "Drunk."
    Best Tracks: Dragonball Durag, Funny Thing, Fair Chance    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The Wire
    Apr 28, 2020
    80
    It Is What It Is is a fitting ethos for an artist whose genre-twisting tendrils have extended themselves into the highest reaches of the pop canopy, simultaneously flexing their deep funk and jazz roots. [May 2020, p.62]
  2. Resident Advisor
    Apr 15, 2020
    80
    On It Is What It Is, Bruner—unlike Pastorious—finds a way out, channeling his pain into great, uplifting art.
    Read full review
  3. HipHopDX
    Apr 14, 2020
    80
    It Is What It Is isn’t the worthy successor to Drunk, but it certainly feels like its ideal companion piece.
    Read full review
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