Love Story
by Yelawolf
  • Record Label: Polydor
  • Release Date: Apr 21, 2015
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. DJ Booth
    Jun 24, 2015
    80
    It may have been a little long for my liking, but that's a small price to pay for listening to something this remarkably unique.
  2. XXL
    Apr 24, 2015
    80
    He’s fully aware of who exactly he wants to be in hip-hop: a proud, raw, unapologetically Southern MC, something the game’s been missing. He really touches the country audience with the project, a genre hip-hop rarely reaches.
  3. Boston Globe
    Apr 23, 2015
    70
    This roots-rap hybrid might appall rap purists, but it’s a striking improvement over 2011’s messy, compromised “Radioactive.”
  5. HipHopDX
    Apr 23, 2015
    70
    When Love Story is great, it’s when the unique pieces of Yelawolf’s life discover similarly off-kilter spaces in which to manifest a new voice.
  6. RapReviews.com
    Jul 21, 2015
    60
    Much of Love Story is tepid, but there are moments where Yela nails the singing/rapping combination.
  7. AllMusic
    Jun 22, 2015
    60
    Ask a Yelawolf regular for a listener's guide then split apart this purposeful beast accordingly.
  8. Spin
    Apr 23, 2015
    60
    Your enjoyment of Love Story will directly correlate with the amount that you enjoy Yelawolf’s singing, because boy howdy is there a lot of it here. If you respect Yelawolf’s progression as a musician and wish him luck on his journey to artistic self-actualization, you will be pleased.
  9. Complex
    Apr 23, 2015
    60
    Its solid momentum really fizzles out in the last few songs, making for a disappointing finale of an otherwise solid effort. Nonetheless, Love Story is a big step forward for the Slumerican affiliate.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Apr 23, 2015
    60
    Yelawolf's populist ambitions haven't gone away--check the wave-your-lighter anthem "American You"--but Love Story avoids sanding away all of his edges.
  11. Pitchfork
    Apr 28, 2015
    49
    Yelawolf sounds like he's just going through the motions instead of actually covering ground.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 132
  3. Negative: 32 out of 132
  1. slatinator
    Apr 30, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This album is probably in my top 5 of all time already. This album is an emotional roller coaster, the production is top notch and it's been on repeat all week. Yelawolf takes song making to the next level with this. Love Story will most likely be a classic for years to come when people think of Yelawolf. If you're a fan of hip-hop, you'll love this album. Of course, Yelawolf puts his own country twist on everything which is nice to listen to for a change, but you can always hear the emotion in his voice. There's never a dull moment on the album. So, with that said, give the album a listen!… Full Review »
  2. geedup
    Apr 26, 2015
    3
    This is his 2nd album after Radioactive, on which after killing freestyles and guest appearances, was a fair debut. Although not equal toThis is his 2nd album after Radioactive, on which after killing freestyles and guest appearances, was a fair debut. Although not equal to talent of his label mates (i.e Slaughterhouse, Em), he has more talent than what he displayed on this latest album. Yelawolf made a son that appeared on Sons Of Anarchy (til' its gone) which was acoustic and well received. Well this whole album is like that! What a disappointment. Not to say he can't pull it off, but if I wanted actoustic blatherings I wouldn't be into Hip hop. One track was nice, which was the first. But after I didn't like a single funking song! Don't turn into Everlast or some ****… Full Review »
  3. JPrince83
    Apr 26, 2015
    9
    This is not a Hip-Hop album. I honestly don't know how to categorize it, and that's not a bad thing that's just how different it is fromThis is not a Hip-Hop album. I honestly don't know how to categorize it, and that's not a bad thing that's just how different it is from anything else out there. Rap purists or folks coming to album without an appreciation and an admiration for genres outside of Hip-Hop probably won't enjoy the record. However, "Love Story" is as musically ambition as K-Dot's "To Pimp A Butterfly". Yela does with folk, country and rock music what Kendrick did with funk, jazz and soul music blending and weaving them into his Hip-Hop fabric. Is one better than the other? I can't say but both should be respected for their willingness to be different from the projects of their peers but still stay true to who they are as individual artist.

    Yelawolf has never shied away from his Southern roots or his affinity for classic rock (See 2008's Stereo) but on "Love Story" he does something he's never done before and that's at time completely immerse himself in these other genres. There are many moments where he leaves behind his rapid fire flow for a twangy but smooth singing voice we haven't heard from him before. In fact on some songs like "Devil in my Veins" Wolf leaves Hip-Hop completely alone to deliver a folk-country tune that would make Outlaw Country icons like Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings proud. (From an authenticity perspective this may be the most country album of the year.)

    "Love Story" is the evolution of Yelawolf not as a rapper but as an artist as he begins to step away and outside of Hip-Hop to not just incorporate other musical and cultural influences but to pursue them. However, the album also provides plenty of moments that prove that Wolf can still rap and flow with the best of them when he so chooses. Here he's just displaying that there is more to Yela than the speedy and visceral rap tracks that made "Trunk Muzik" & "Trunk Muzik Returns" some of the most highly respected mixtapes in recent years. The dope thing here is it works because it's completely authentic, never once does it feel as Yelawolf is trying to be someone he isn't.

    The album take so many musical twists and turns you are blindsided many times by the direction your going in from one track to another. But, the disorientation is enjoyable and in that way "Love Story" isn't unlike roller coaster at your favorite amusement park. At times you just want to get off and collect your wits only to get back in line and get turned upside down all over again. So if you enjoy folk, country and rock as well as hip-hop than "Love Story" is a must listen. If you are strictly a hip-hop fan and only want raps then this album isn't for you, which is fine because deep down I feel like Yela made this for himself anyway. Anyone else, like myself who enjoys it, is just an added bonus to Wolf.    … Full Review »
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