User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Jaime Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length solo release for the Alabama Shakes frontwoman features contributions from Zac Cockrell, Shawn Everett, Robert Glasper, and Nate Smith.
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Sep 25, 2019
    91
    With Jaime, Howard proves what many of us already speculated: The magic behind Alabama Shakes was Brittany Howard.
  2. Uncut
    Sep 16, 2019
    90
    Throughout Jamie, Howard also continues to challenge the impressive instrument of her voice in unpredictable ways. ... Her quest for personal fulfillment doubles as a creative bloom as well, revealing new dimensions of her talent. [Oct 2019, p.18]
  3. Sep 20, 2019
    90
    Jaime, Howard's first solo album, complements her distinctive croon with R&B, hip-hop and funk sounds, marking an adventurous departure that reveals unseen depths to the vocalist. With some of the most emotive, direct lyrics of her career to date, the dynamic range of her new collaborators — including jazz maestro Robert Glasper — informs the flavour of each track for an eclectic collection stockpiled with loose grooves.
  4. Sep 26, 2019
    82
    The album’s 11 songs are spontaneous, fluid and entirely indifferent to genre as they pour out of her like the torrential rains of an evening thunderstorm.
  5. Sep 20, 2019
    80
    Howard's embrace of all the mess of life gives Jaime its sustenance. Her audacity is apparent upon the first listen, but subsequent spins are profound and nourishing.
  6. 80
    There’s no track on Jaime that is likely to make waves – not in the same way as some of the better-known Alabama Shakes tracks, such as “Hold On” or “This Feeling” (the latter of which was recently used to remarkable effect in the final scene of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag). But what lovely ripples it makes.
  7. 70
    Jamie is nothing if not daring, filled with fascinating, sometimes jarring musical complexities which the most skeptical listener will appreciate. Despite its relatively brief 36 minute playing time, the disc’s concepts and sheer obliqueness makes it linger far longer as a bold declaration from a restlessly creative artist with plenty on her mind.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. Sep 30, 2019
    10
    Just wow... indescribable.... amazing how much she can find out about herself in a few years to produce an album like this...
  2. Sep 23, 2019
    10
    Thought provoking piece of her soul. Brimming with reflection highlighted by one of the most powerful voices in an era bereft of lineage andThought provoking piece of her soul. Brimming with reflection highlighted by one of the most powerful voices in an era bereft of lineage and honesty. A true talent and a must listen for every generation Expand
  3. Oct 2, 2019
    9
    It's an album that brims with life and experimentation. Howard pushes her sounds to their limits while remaining organic, raw, emotional andIt's an album that brims with life and experimentation. Howard pushes her sounds to their limits while remaining organic, raw, emotional and relevant. Expand
  4. Oct 3, 2019
    8
    Brittany Howard,the singer of Alabama Shakes compose a very strong and beautiful album. Having as a valuable ally her voice , draws linesBrittany Howard,the singer of Alabama Shakes compose a very strong and beautiful album. Having as a valuable ally her voice , draws lines between human relationships and tries to give a meaning in the next American dream. Expand
  5. Sep 28, 2019
    8
    If you favor only a select few of the whole music spectrum and can't stand the art of blues rock, please go away. Else, cherish your ear.If you favor only a select few of the whole music spectrum and can't stand the art of blues rock, please go away. Else, cherish your ear. Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard has finally made her debut album, and it's as great as expected. Expand
  6. Feb 12, 2022
    7
    Unburdened is what this is. She takes everything and leaves it on the floor. From religous concern explored effortlessly in "he still lovesUnburdened is what this is. She takes everything and leaves it on the floor. From religous concern explored effortlessly in "he still loves me" or the traumatic casual direct racism she discoved in the form of a goat head in the back of her dads car. This should be overstuffed and feel long with apl the subject matter it fills in it's short runtime. It a clear departure from the blues rock of her Alabama Shakes project but not by much. It just feels more diarist and experimental. The creativity on "history repeats" alone cements this as one of this years greatest records as it summarises the racial tensions as a pattern coming into fruition. Favourites:history repeats, 13 century metal,goat head,he loves me,short&sweet,Georgia. Expand
  7. Sep 22, 2019
    2
    The only good songs were 'Stay High' and 'Short and Sweet'. The rest is unlistenable.

See all 9 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. The Best Albums of 2019

    The Best Albums of 2019 Image
    Published: December 20, 2019
    We reveal the 40 highest-scoring album releases of the year, as well as some of 2019's bests and worsts in other music categories.
  2. The Freshman 15: 2019's Best Debut Albums

    The Freshman 15: 2019's Best Debut Albums Image
    Published: December 10, 2019
    Which music newcomers impressed critics this year? Find out as we rank the top 15 debut albums of 2019.