Malibu
by Anderson .Paak
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 331 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 313 out of 331
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 331
  3. Negative: 11 out of 331
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  1. Mcgillacuddy
    Apr 3, 2016
    10
    After listening to Dre's new Compton album, I quickly found that this man, Anderson .Paak, was simply just taking the spotlight every time he was on the microphone. This album is simply incredible and shows just how talented this guy really is. I swear if he doesn't win a Grammy for this someone will get shot courtesy of me jk
  2. Luckyluke93
    Feb 8, 2016
    10
    Simply amazing you don't know how good is Anderson .Paak 'til you don't listen Malibu... in particular The Season is a pure and simple MASTERPIECE, no other word, in less then 2 minutes he brings you pure feelings... Less cohesive and deep that To Pimp a Buttefly but he deserve the recognition he still not have. He reminds me also XXX of Danny Brown in some songs, listen at least TheSimply amazing you don't know how good is Anderson .Paak 'til you don't listen Malibu... in particular The Season is a pure and simple MASTERPIECE, no other word, in less then 2 minutes he brings you pure feelings... Less cohesive and deep that To Pimp a Buttefly but he deserve the recognition he still not have. He reminds me also XXX of Danny Brown in some songs, listen at least The Season you'll be grateful… Expand
  3. Mack_Fraser
    Feb 29, 2016
    9
    The musicianship on display on this album is incredible. Anderson .Paak has managed to craft a set of songs that have their feet platted firmly in both the funk, soul and R&B of decades past and modern hip hop. It feels like what would happen if Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar made an album. Paak bravely goes wherever he feels and the results are sublime. The only problems I have with theThe musicianship on display on this album is incredible. Anderson .Paak has managed to craft a set of songs that have their feet platted firmly in both the funk, soul and R&B of decades past and modern hip hop. It feels like what would happen if Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar made an album. Paak bravely goes wherever he feels and the results are sublime. The only problems I have with the album are that it's perhaps two or three songs too long and it could benefit from a greater variety of moods. Those are really nitpicks though as what is there is so great.… Expand
  4. chasewilliams
    Feb 16, 2016
    10
    A very uplifting album and full of spirit... You can hear the gospel influence. I think Heart Don't Stand a Chance is easily the best song on the album. The features are also impressive, with Schoolboy Q and BJ the Chicago Kid.
  5. matttyc123
    Mar 28, 2016
    9
    By far one of the best albums released so far this year. Paak clearly establishes himself as one of the heads of this R&B/Hip-Hop fusion that's been gaining more and more traction over the years with soulful instrumentals, clever lyrics, a great flow and distinct singing voice. Looking forward to seeing future collaborations with other artists.

    Fave Songs: The Bird, Heart Don't Stand a    By far one of the best albums released so far this year. Paak clearly establishes himself as one of the heads of this R&B/Hip-Hop fusion that's been gaining more and more traction over the years with soulful instrumentals, clever lyrics, a great flow and distinct singing voice. Looking forward to seeing future collaborations with other artists.

    Fave Songs: The Bird, Heart Don't Stand a Chance, Am I Wrong, Lite Weight, Silicon Valley    … Expand
  6. MovieLover123
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    And just when I was about to write off modern RnB, Anderson Paak happens and I am won over. Words cannot describe my love for this masterpiece. You there! don't waste time reading this crap, go listen to this album now!
  7. FreightFright
    Jan 18, 2016
    9
    The most intriguing thing about Dre's most recent album was the interesting voice and bars of Anderson .Paak. Instead of going in the rap direction, Anderson instead released a testament to old school soul and R&B. This is a fantastic album - tracks like "Celebrate," "Put Me Thru," and "Come Down" are catchy and pretty much force the listener into breaking out into dancing. I didn't thinkThe most intriguing thing about Dre's most recent album was the interesting voice and bars of Anderson .Paak. Instead of going in the rap direction, Anderson instead released a testament to old school soul and R&B. This is a fantastic album - tracks like "Celebrate," "Put Me Thru," and "Come Down" are catchy and pretty much force the listener into breaking out into dancing. I didn't think any of the tracks were particularly weak, though some have more essence to them - "The Bird" is such a track that I thought did a great job of opening the album and provided the listener with the answer to the question of "who is Anderson. Paak?"

    Altogether, one of the best albums of 2016 so far - though that isn't saying much on January 18th, but I'm certain that people will still be listening to this masterpiece years from now.    … Expand
  8. CiphirSol
    Jan 18, 2016
    9
    EXPOSINGFLOPS is a piece of excrement and a **** troll. The perfect example of everything wrong with this website. If theres a moderator around, please delete his opinion, because it's not only **** and generic, it's wrong.

    Great album, Anderson's a great artist and a cool guy, very down to earth. Known to hang with fans after shows.
  9. lisiak
    Jan 19, 2016
    8
    'Malibu' by Anderson Paak is a really good album. We can see an inspiration in 'To Pimp a Butterfly' in a few moments on this album. It's nice beginning of this year.
  10. benrankel
    Jan 26, 2016
    9
    Paak’s got a musicality that could likely place him in the category of genius. Scope and influence are on display and while wide-ranging, never give the album a sense of attention-deficit disorder: it all flows like a single thought.

    The most out of place track on the album is probably Silicon Valley; while the song is just as catchy, well-produced and layered it is more lyrically    Paak’s got a musicality that could likely place him in the category of genius. Scope and influence are on display and while wide-ranging, never give the album a sense of attention-deficit disorder: it all flows like a single thought.

    The most out of place track on the album is probably Silicon Valley; while the song is just as catchy, well-produced and layered it is more lyrically juvenile and overtly misogynistic than the other offerings.    … Expand
  11. geedup
    May 17, 2016
    8
    Real late to hear Anderson Paak and found him by mistake. But after hearing two of his collabos with other artists I had to find more and I'm glad I did. This sound is unique and none of the songs the same, making for a very listenable record. Now I can't say I'm a fan of all the songs as a few are sugar coated or mashups of sounds I don't really dig. However, this artist is one to watch and hear.
  12. championcjs
    Feb 28, 2016
    9
    This album defines good feels. Keep you feeling great all the way through. But besides the feels, on a more critical tip. this album is amazing. The lyrics are deep and introspective as .Paak delivers great performances that are filled with personality.
  13. Cypher_ATL
    May 26, 2016
    8
    Ever since this project released, Anderson.Paak has been getting non-stop praise. Along with those people and publications that have been saying those wonderful things, I will join them as well. This is one of the better albums to be released this year, and I think it will appear on many year-end lists for many publications. The overall concept and feel of the albums is what really sucksEver since this project released, Anderson.Paak has been getting non-stop praise. Along with those people and publications that have been saying those wonderful things, I will join them as well. This is one of the better albums to be released this year, and I think it will appear on many year-end lists for many publications. The overall concept and feel of the albums is what really sucks me in, along with the fantastic guest appearances. Mr. Paak decides to take advantage of the limelight he's received from making appearances on Dr. Dre's "Compton" and The Game's "The Documentary 2.5" and has applied that hype and approval to this album. I look forward to seeing Anderson.Paak on Dre's Aftermath Records, and will be paying close attention to what he does until then.… Expand
  14. nirvanafreak
    Feb 22, 2016
    8
    Favourite Songs: Parking Lot, Come Down, The Bird, Am I Wrong
    Least Favourite Songs: Silicon Valley
    Anyone like me that heard Anderson Paak's last album Venice should have seen that something amazing like this was coming from Anderson .Paak. Although I didn't love Venice, I did say he had a lot of potential and that potential blossoms with this new album, which despite being an hour long    Favourite Songs: Parking Lot, Come Down, The Bird, Am I Wrong
    Least Favourite Songs: Silicon Valley
    Anyone like me that heard Anderson Paak's last album Venice should have seen that something amazing like this was coming from Anderson .Paak. Although I didn't love Venice, I did say he had a lot of potential and that potential blossoms with this new album, which despite being an hour long is very cohesive; one of the many reasons it can be compared to Kendrick Lamar's last LP. The album is full of really tight grooves and some really funky bass lines that help drive the tracks forward and with his soulful and unique sounding vocals over the top the tracks become magnificent. Perhaps what's most impressive about this album is its features. Why? Because they're few and far between. Paak could have easily made the mistake of rushing into the studio with as many artists as he could as I'm sure he's eager to now that he has a newfound fame but he keeps the amount of features low and when they do turn up they don't outshine him in any way (they'd find it hard to if they tried.) They simply blend into the song as necessary. This is probably best demonstrated by Schoolboy Q on 'Am I Wrong' who I'm sure more than a few people will not recognise because of his flow and chilled delivery. Aside from a couple ok tracks here and there Malibu is great and I was surprised I liked this album as much as I did because there are very few R&B albums I love, old or modern. He can only go up from here.
    Better Than Previous Project?: Yes
    Try This If You Like: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast    … Expand
  15. Norgizfox
    Dec 7, 2016
    8
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  16. SergioV
    Nov 17, 2016
    8
    84/100. Dang! Anderson Paak really does an amazing job with this album, and almost every song vibes. The best ones are "The Bird", "Put Me Thru" and "Silicon Valley".
  17. thethoughthere
    Apr 23, 2016
    9
    Anderson .Paak has solidified himself as my favorite voice in the west-coast neo-soul movement. Musically beautiful, lyrically poignant and thematically consistent, .Paak delivers a fantastic outing with "Malibu".

    Favorites: The Bird, The Season/Carry Me, Am I Wrong, Without You, Room In Here, Come Down & Silicon Valley Weak Spots: Lite Weight, Celebrate & The Dreamer (but these    Anderson .Paak has solidified himself as my favorite voice in the west-coast neo-soul movement. Musically beautiful, lyrically poignant and thematically consistent, .Paak delivers a fantastic outing with "Malibu".

    Favorites: The Bird, The Season/Carry Me, Am I Wrong, Without You, Room In Here, Come Down & Silicon Valley

    Weak Spots: Lite Weight, Celebrate & The Dreamer (but these aren't even bad, not by a large margin! They're just less fantastic!)    … Expand
  18. Youngmetro
    Nov 6, 2017
    10
    Just a flat out beautiful album . Anderson voice is amazing ,which is quite versatile . Malibu incorporates many different types of genres in this album ; which keeps the album form feeling overlong or boring ( which a lot of today's rnb struggle with ) .Every song will make rekindle a past emotion . It's a an album where i believe anyone can get some level of enjoyment . Modern day masterpiece .
  19. Kalenclayton
    May 21, 2016
    10
    The artist formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy has quite possibly come out with the best album of the year. Anderson weaves Soul, Funk, Blues, and Hip-Hop together incredibly well to make a spectacular and cohesive listen. He is on a roll and could be a superstar in the near future.

    My favorite tracks: EVERYTHING!!! But if I was to narrow it down to 3 tracks, they would be Parking Lot,    The artist formerly known as Breezy Lovejoy has quite possibly come out with the best album of the year. Anderson weaves Soul, Funk, Blues, and Hip-Hop together incredibly well to make a spectacular and cohesive listen. He is on a roll and could be a superstar in the near future.

    My favorite tracks: EVERYTHING!!! But if I was to narrow it down to 3 tracks, they would be Parking Lot, Come Down, and Put Me Through.    … Expand
  20. raywithajay
    Jun 3, 2016
    9
    I didn't know much about Anderson Paak before I listened to this album, but by the time I was finished, I was convinced he was the most talented musical artist I knew. His skill in rapping, singing, and producing are all highlighted in Malibu. Funk, soul, hip-hop, and R&B influences are scattered throughout this album, and Paak allows them all to mesh flawlessly. He raps very clearly, withI didn't know much about Anderson Paak before I listened to this album, but by the time I was finished, I was convinced he was the most talented musical artist I knew. His skill in rapping, singing, and producing are all highlighted in Malibu. Funk, soul, hip-hop, and R&B influences are scattered throughout this album, and Paak allows them all to mesh flawlessly. He raps very clearly, with thoughtful and witty bars, and his singing is soulful and R&B influenced. This record is sincere and personal, as Paak explores his come up, never forgetting his humble beginnings while declaring his prominence. It's meant to evoke feelings ranging from nostalgia and longing to perseverance and hope. While most stay high on their success, Anderson Paak stays true to his roots and reminds us that what we've endured will forever be a part of who we are… Expand
  21. Harpear
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    Anderson .Paak's groovy, soulful voice makes Malibu one of the best albums of 2016 if not the best. This album is leagues beyond his last album Venice. Malibu is a sexy, beautiful, summertime album.
  22. tommy1607
    Apr 16, 2017
    8
    This album is a beautiful blend of soul, hip-hop and R&B with jazzy beats perfectly paired with Paak's rasping vocals. This album is a huge step up from his last release and definitely ranks up there with the top albums of 2016.
  23. ReviewByAnIdiot
    Aug 18, 2017
    9
    Do you enjoy soulful R&B? Or jazz-fueled, gospel-fused hip-hop? You'll enjoy this album.

    Personal favorites: Heart Don't Stand A Chance, Put Me Thru, Without You, Come Down, Silicon Valley, and The Dreamer.
  24. FrostedBlakess
    Oct 3, 2017
    10
    Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

    I first heard of .Paak when hearing about the XXL Freshman 2016. At first I was uninterested in his work, until I ran across the song "Come Down" recently. I took a listen to the full album and was blown away. I'm personally more of a Hip Hop / Rap fan, but this album is contagiously groovy.
  25. ChrisSoTru
    Oct 24, 2018
    10
    Perfect.

    I could write some pretext here, but it's all explained in this project. From beginning to end, there is no track worth skipping here. Every track ranges from smooth and pleasant vibes to charismatic rocky fun. The opening track, The Bird, is a pleasant little overview of .Paak's life before the come up and how his family played a role in his transition as an artist. From    Perfect.

    I could write some pretext here, but it's all explained in this project.

    From beginning to end, there is no track worth skipping here. Every track ranges from smooth and pleasant vibes to charismatic rocky fun. The opening track, The Bird, is a pleasant little overview of .Paak's life before the come up and how his family played a role in his transition as an artist. From there, it instantly takes us to the groovy aesthetic of Heart Don't Stand a Chance, in which it projects images of enjoyment with the woman that you are pursuing. The first half is a bit repetitive, but the closing is a highlight that presents .Paak's way of experimenting. Next is The Waters, in which another track of stellar production discusses his current situation and his struggles with recognition. From there comes probably the most superior track of this masterpice: The Season/Cardy Me, a catchy tune that'll never escape your mind as long as you hear the whistles rhythmically play. His past is another subject in this track that casually lists all the seriously messed up predicaments he had to face during childhood.

    Put Me Thru and Am I Wrong both function as a romantic work that releases a wide range of emotions, whether its frustration, angst, or admiration to this mystery woman.

    Without You is probably going to be the most "hip-hop" that Malibu can get, and it is executed quite nice with two perspectives of a hilariously dysfunctional relationship that forms in hopes of Anderson .Paak blowing "like a Nintendo cartridge". This fun little break then heads over to Parking Lot, probably the best produced track that includes a variety of instruments and appropriate synths in the background. It manages to be both emotional and exuberant as .Paak continues with his hook.

    Lite Weight and Room in Here are represented in the same way. A vibe is established in the air as these two tracks get gushy-gushy towards a love interest, an optimistic approach that is consistent throughout this whole album.

    Not much can be said about Water Fall, except that it is a relaxing form of exhaust from all the energy in this album. Though sexually suggestive, it is still a pretty great melody to repeaf, even if that track is an "Interluuube" Your Prime is a repetition of hook and drums with some uplifting synths in the back. Even when uneventful, it is still a pleasure to listen to.

    Come Down is a highlight single of Malibu. In many ways, it shows the best and the worst of Anderson .Paak. His radiating energy and way to fire up is contrasted by his aggression and his arrogance, something that combines together to make a easygoing track on the surface with complex usage. It is the outlier of the album, and it is not a bad concept to work with.

    Silicon Valley is a jam that can be relaxing and erotic. Most prefer to be relaxed, so the purpose of this track may not be something that'll be put on repeat. However, there is still admiration towards the instrumentals. Same goes for Celebrate, a minimalist yet flexible track. It ends with a six minute closer that efficiently ends with an upbeat mix of inspiration and rebellion, complemented with a sample from a source that commonly appears throughout the project.

    Why I didn't put pretext is because no matter the circumstance, Malibu stands alone as a perfect musical piece. If the background was vacant, it would still work because it excels in delivery and purpose. Was it a homage to the 60/70s wave of surfer music in California? Duh. All the instrumentals are subjectively flawless, and the charisma of Anderson .Paak is what fulfills these tracks like a puzzle. Their chemistry altogether and devotion to theme makes this project so different. There is no music piece like it. A "parody" of an older art form making critical use of its own aesthetic is so odd to see in music today, especially hip hop, but it works here very well!

    Like I said: "Perfect".    … Expand
  26. GrantD243
    Nov 17, 2018
    9
    Every song is original, every song is punchy, and every song deserves to be put on repeat.
  27. WolfyJones
    Oct 24, 2019
    9
    His best album by a long shot. It just seems like it could have been two albums, and it's a little rushed and contrived in areas. But, that doesn't stop me from listening to it over and over. It's great to have in the background all the time. Love it!

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2016
43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2016
60
#60 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Guardian
    Dec 22, 2016
    80
    Sunny yet substantive, Anderson .Paak’s second studio album shows he is as at home settling into a breezy club groove over euphoric brass (Am I Wrong, featuring Schoolboy Q) or unleashing James Brown-esque funk yelps as he is waxing autobiographical tales of family hardship.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Mar 22, 2016
    80
    On Malibu, melody unifies and smooths over divisions: rap and R&B, black history and black modernity, spiritual uplift with the rough material of the everyman's everyday, all made cohesive by Paak's considerable songwriting talent. [Apr 2016, p.64]
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Mar 17, 2016
    100
    There's effortless, unhurried groove as he slides from the disarming grit of Nineties hip-hop in "Without You" to Sixties soul on "The Bird" and honey-dripped R&B with "Am I Wrong."
    Read full review
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