KOD
by J. Cole
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. PopMatters
    Apr 26, 2018
    60
    From the onset of the album, we know what we're in store to receive. Whereas DAMN. finds Kendrick Lamar twisting and turning through wickedness and weakness, wrestling often through the same issues found here, Cole delivers it straight.
  2. The New York Times
    Apr 25, 2018
    60
    KOD, his fifth album, has the feel of a casual placeholder between bigger ideas--it has neither the grim purpose or intense emotional acuity of his 2016 LP “4 Your Eyez Only,” nor the cohesion of the prior one, “2014 Forest Hills Drive,” the record that set the terms for his new direction.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 24, 2018
    40
    J. Cole’s raps, but KOD sounds like someone who is either unfamiliar with drug abuse, or is completely unsympathetic to the dynamics of drug abuse in America.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2018
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 321 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 248 out of 321
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 321
  3. Negative: 17 out of 321
  1. saad_munir
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    Not as catcy as 2014FHD but the lyrical content is so dense and relatable. Definitely one of his best albums.
  2. draediamond
    Apr 23, 2018
    7
    It's a good album no doubt but J Cole misses a chance to make it great. I would specifically give it a 7.5. The album is portrayed by J ColeIt's a good album no doubt but J Cole misses a chance to make it great. I would specifically give it a 7.5. The album is portrayed by J Cole and the interludes/samples he uses as an album with much depth but Cole's lyrics don't dig deep enough. He definitely has his moments of depth but it's not consistent. It's definitely a beautiful album but there's more than a surface and J Cole doesn't perfect the depths as well as the surface. There are countless highlights on this album and the production is top notch.… Full Review »
  3. realareebyrn
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    Every message is ever so relevant, the production (primarily handled by J Cole himself) is extremely smooth, and he never strays away from theEvery message is ever so relevant, the production (primarily handled by J Cole himself) is extremely smooth, and he never strays away from the topic at hand. The final track isn't a diss, it's more so a warning and a piece of guidance. Everything from digital social media love, cheating temptations, tax brackets and budgets, to drug addictions and alternatives to dealing with the pain, Cole really shines in subject matter.

    This album, being conscious rap with no features, no promotion (J Cole only announced it 4 days before its release), it's amazing to see it performing better than Drake's Views album on the day 1 streaming and sales performance metrics. Usually these music streaming records are won by pop music artists such as Drake, Beyonce, Adele and the like. But seeing J Cole prevail, with a lyrical and conscious project, is amazing to see.

    This is the album that every other rapper feared to make, and Cole discussed things that artists never discuss. This is his most cohesive and well-crafted project to date, and it deserves a 10.    … Full Review »
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