It Was Good Until It Wasn't
by Kehlani
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 8, 2020
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 106
  3. Negative: 4 out of 106
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  1. IAmDaan
    May 8, 2020
    9
    Kehlani’s new album fully reveals her, as one of the leading R&B performers, the singer’s voice perfectly combines with the piano and guitar in the arrangement of delicate beats, each composition smoothly flows into another, preventing the listener from falling into againthe bustle of the mortal world, joint compositions with Tory Lanez, Jhené Aiko, Masego, Lucky Daye, James BlakeKehlani’s new album fully reveals her, as one of the leading R&B performers, the singer’s voice perfectly combines with the piano and guitar in the arrangement of delicate beats, each composition smoothly flows into another, preventing the listener from falling into againthe bustle of the mortal world, joint compositions with Tory Lanez, Jhené Aiko, Masego, Lucky Daye, James Blake perfectly complement the solo component of the album. at the moment, this is one of the best works in the R&B-style, which can compete with Jhené Aiko's album "Chilombo".… Expand
  2. mykehall13
    May 8, 2020
    10
    Simply incredible. Kehlani’s new music is undeniably refreshing and much more mature compared to her past projects. So proud to Stan such an icon!
  3. ANNACLARA
    May 14, 2020
    10
    it ate. oh my god i am surprised to the power of kehlani’s. girl. it is am masterpiece.
  4. jeffer21
    May 8, 2020
    6
    it's average album, something is still missing, it's definitely not her best work!!
  5. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    7
    Toxic - 8/10
    Can I (feat. Tory Lanez) - 7,5/10
    Bad News - 8/10 Real Hot Girl Skit / Water - 8/10 Change Your Life (feat. Jhené Aiko) - 7/10 Belong To The Streets Skit - 7,5/10 Everybody Business - 7/10 Hate The Club (feat. Masego) - 7,5/10 Serial Lover - 7/10 F&MU - 7/10 Can You Blame Me (feat. Lucky Daye) - 7,5/10 Grieving (feat. James Blake) - 7/10 Open (Passionate) - 7/10    Toxic - 8/10
    Can I (feat. Tory Lanez) - 7,5/10
    Bad News - 8/10
    Real Hot Girl Skit / Water - 8/10
    Change Your Life (feat. Jhené Aiko) - 7/10
    Belong To The Streets Skit - 7,5/10
    Everybody Business - 7/10
    Hate The Club (feat. Masego) - 7,5/10
    Serial Lover - 7/10
    F&MU - 7/10
    Can You Blame Me (feat. Lucky Daye) - 7,5/10
    Grieving (feat. James Blake) - 7/10
    Open (Passionate) - 7/10
    Lexii's Outro - 7/10    … Expand
  6. barthurbottino
    Jul 26, 2020
    5
    parte da culpa dessa nota é minha por não ser muito fã de r&b, mas todas as musicas parecem a mesma coisa.
  7. pewhois
    May 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Melhor álbum de r&b do ano. kehlani mostra toda sua versatilidade e não deixou a desejar… Expand
  8. Lajaleaa
    Jun 23, 2020
    7
    ( 71/100 )

    Hay belleza indudable en la visión de Kehlani sobre su álbum, el poder de su cover-art lo revela, sin embargo la musica lo difumina, pues no contribuye al discurso maduro, sensible e importante de Kehlani sobre la madures del amor, la fuerza de voluntad y el luchar por hacer reales las ilusiones. Algo así como "convencerse de que este lado de la barda es mejor a pesar de no    ( 71/100 )

    Hay belleza indudable en la visión de Kehlani sobre su álbum, el poder de su cover-art lo revela, sin embargo la musica lo difumina, pues no contribuye al discurso maduro, sensible e importante de Kehlani sobre la madures del amor, la fuerza de voluntad y el luchar por hacer reales las ilusiones. Algo así como "convencerse de que este lado de la barda es mejor a pesar de no ser cierto". Un bello concepto que explora con espíritu a través de las letras, con una producción que no está a la altura. Aún con 26 personas en el estudio, la música carece de consistencia y creatividad. Aunque está llena de detalles simbólicos como pianos, un Trap lento, Hip-Hop maduro, flautas Pop y arreglos que fusionan ritmos Luxury, Street y R&B de Baladas urbanas lentas para Pole o momentos sensuales en la cama, se encierran en un loop cansado, pesado y monótono que después de uno o dos minutos es molesto. También usan mucho una formula Trap/Soul que en vez de mostrar lo mejor de cada ritmo solo comprime la esencia de ambas para no superar la intención vocal de Kehlani y eliminar sorpresas. "It Was Good Until It Wasn't" es un proyecto complicado que tenía el potencial de ser importante y real que perdió su valor en una producción disonante.
    -
    There is an undoubted beauty in Kelani's vision of her album, the power of her cover-art shows it, but the production blurs it since it doesn't help the mature, sensible and important speech of Kehlani about the maturity of love, the strength of will and fighting for illusions to come true. Something like "convincing oneself that this side of the fence is better even if it's not like true". A beautiful concept that explores with spirit in her lyrics with a production that falls short. Even with 26 people in the studio, the music lacks consistency and creativity. It's also full of symbolic details like piano, slow Trap, mature Hip-Hop, Pop flutes and arrangements that fusion Luxury and Street R&B of slow urban Ballads for Pole or sensual moments in bed, but it enclosures itself in tiring, heavy and monotonous loops that after one or two minutes are bothering. They also use a lot a Trap/Soul formulas that, instead of showing the best of each rhythm, only compress the essence of each one to don't surpass the vocal intention of Kehlani and avoid surprises. "It Was Good Until It Wasn't" is a complicated project that had the potential to be important and real but lost its value with a dissonant production.    … Expand
  9. Vladichh99
    Nov 30, 2020
    10
    So pure and emotional album!Way better than "While we wait".She has grown so much as an artist.All of the songs tell us an story and i think that's so beautiful!Good Job!
    Best tracks-All of them
    Worst tracks-None
  10. Izanglez
    Jun 7, 2020
    8
    This is what I call good R&B music. The lyrics had me intrigued the whole time. Some of the melodies are so remarkable, and some of the features were not necessary at all. Still, the interludes were all amazing and so was the closing of the album. Overall, a really well constructed and cohesive project.
  11. marianasalesm
    May 14, 2020
    9
    Kehlani really showed her talent on this album and prove that she's one of the best r&b performers. It reminded me of sweetsexysavage and the reason I like her since the first time I listen to her voice. Smooth by strong-confident kinda energy we all were waiting for. Congrats K.
  12. divinediablo
    May 9, 2020
    10
    She matured on this album and I am here for it. Giving me excellence with many, many hints of RnB perfection with a nice theme to it added on with both parts of the album cover. It's creative.
  13. tonytedesco
    May 8, 2020
    10
    i dont remember the last time i heard an album this good. this album gets better with each listen, and her vocals are so beautiful. although this is only the first album i have heard from her, it made me really want to check out all of her other projects. i dont know what else to say other than wow, this album is amazing. my top 3 songs include hate the club, water, and can i.
  14. Bronca
    May 8, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. With her sophomore Album Kehlani brings us a refreshing return to pure R&B.… Expand
  15. Gschunder
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Been a fan for years and I have loved the growth she’s made with each album, it feels like she’s truly hit her stride & found her sound with this album. It’s straight from her heart and it’s so beautiful
  16. MatiTwas
    May 9, 2020
    10
    It’s Perfect ! From start to finish there are no skips. It’s a life story for what she’s been through. People gotta stop hating on this goddess cuz this album is it.
  17. daddyxhash
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Incredible. From start to finish, an excellent album. Kehlani has solidified her spot in the top. I personally put her right there with Beyonce and Rihanna and she is only at the start of her game. She delves deep into her work and it pays off.
  18. briimmitchell
    May 9, 2020
    10
    this has to be her best project!! every song is special and she deserves to be recognized for this album.
  19. Yojoeric
    May 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bad News! ❤️❤️❤️ Did what it had for the album to have 81 that’s something real special… Expand
  20. Trenyce
    May 9, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was amazing she really did great on this album she has progressed so much and I’m happy about it… Expand
  21. Galactawhore
    May 9, 2020
    8
    I think While We Wait was a superior body of work with more stand-out tracks but IWGUIW is still really good. A solid project that i enjoyed listening to.
  22. Matete
    May 9, 2020
    9
    Masterpiece! Feels like Kehlani has been taking us on a journey and this album perfectly brings it to a climax.
    Inimitable blend of skill. This will definitely be on repeat.
  23. ariescritic
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Baby... this album is verified to have you replaying some lyrics back, replaying some songs back, reminiscing, all of that at once. For sure this album is the pressure needed to become a diamond. Production wise... girl.. beautiful!! idk what else to say but go stream it now!!!
  24. iridescentpanda
    May 9, 2020
    10
    This is hands down one of the best albums she’s ever had! The creativity, sincerity, honesty, passion, and the dedication she and her team put in making this album is made to perfection. This album has been making me vibe to all her tracks ever since the release and will be streaming and listening to this again and again in the coming months. Kudos to her and her team and to everyone whoThis is hands down one of the best albums she’s ever had! The creativity, sincerity, honesty, passion, and the dedication she and her team put in making this album is made to perfection. This album has been making me vibe to all her tracks ever since the release and will be streaming and listening to this again and again in the coming months. Kudos to her and her team and to everyone who was involved in making this such fire album. Point blank. Period.… Expand
  25. imdaavidj
    May 14, 2020
    10
    An album with a genre I thought was lost in time, the songs and lyrics took me back to when good R&B was made.
  26. JonathanMajor
    May 31, 2020
    4
    It was just kind of boring and all the songs sound the same but she sings very well and has some good production
  27. RGraham
    Jun 4, 2020
    7
    It was just kind of entertaining and all the songs sound average but you can enjoy them. She sings good. The songs all have good production
  28. 21MJB24
    Jun 10, 2020
    9
    8.5

    Kehlani is in her bag on this one. Trim this down 2-3 songs and it’s even higher up.
  29. lewis28
    Jun 14, 2020
    10
    it is an amazingly produced and written project. One of the best Albums this year,
  30. Bcjosh
    Jul 3, 2020
    9
    Her best album and she knocks it out the park. It's amazing when an artist finds her sound.
  31. Anthonyieee
    May 4, 2022
    10
    No skip album. Truly one of their best. The cover, the tracklist, the angelic vocals, the easter. This is my all time favorite kehlani album and this is in the top 10 of my favorite albums of all time.
  32. JojoBunny
    Oct 27, 2020
    10
    I haven't stopped listening to it since it dropped. Sucks Tory Lanez is featured on it because Can I is a bop
  33. Annaai
    Nov 24, 2020
    10
    Amazing. Khelani deserved a Grammy nomination for this album . She finally found her sounding...
  34. AbbySm
    Jun 23, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Really solid album with diverse yet cohesive sounds. Favorites include Hate the Club, Bad News, and Water. There are truly no “bad” songs.… Expand
  35. kacper_____
    Jan 2, 2022
    10
    IT IS LITERALLY THE MOST UNDERRATED ALBUM EVER
    all of these songs are similar but they blend in perfectly together and even though they are similar they seem completely different if that makes sense
  36. itzysweetner
    Jul 5, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. reviewing kehlani’s 2nd album
    toxic - 9.5 / 10
    can i - 9 / 10
    bad news - 9.5 / 10
    real hot girl skit - 8.5 / 10
    water - 9.5 / 10
    change your life ft jhené aiko - 9.5 / 10
    belong to the streets skit - 8.5 / 10
    everybody business - 10 / 10
    hate the club ft masego - 9.5 / 10
    serial lover - 9.5 / 10
    F&MU - 9 / 10
    can you blame me ft lucky daye - 10 / 10
    grieving ft james blake - 9 / 10
    open (passionate) - 9.5 / 10
    lexii’s outro - 9 / 10
    overall - one of the best r&b albums released in 2020. kehlani didn’t hold back releasing this. snubbed multiple times at award shows.    … Expand
  37. jessbella
    Jul 22, 2021
    10
    I've put this album on loop for days I am obsessed and can't get over it. I don't see myself getting sick of it anytime soon it's definitely a 10/10, every song is so good on this album.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. No Ripcord
    Jun 8, 2020
    50
    Kehlani replaces any hint of controlled pop presence with a lowkey, gloomy vibe that doesn’t suit her strengths at all. Her raspy voice is now placed upon liquid synth bass and irritating trap production, leaving her songwriting to be the record’s only strength.
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  2. AllMusic
    May 28, 2020
    80
    Although there are some clumsy similes and metaphors, and a surplus of astrological references, its lyricism is undeniable, abundant in pithy rebukes and come-ons. And while the predominantly crawling tempos can have a tranquilizing effect, there's nuance to nearly every cut with high-level songwriting to match.
    Read full review
  3. HipHopDX
    May 22, 2020
    76
    It Was Good Until It Wasn’t‘s back half will earn respect from core fans for its consistency, muddling the notion Kehlani played it safe with this one.
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