• Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Dec 11, 2020
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
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  1. Jan 20, 2021
    70
    Cudi wrestles with the same struggles that have plagued him since he began sharing the complexities of his internal world, but at its best, Man on the Moon, Vol 3: The Chosen shows that years of struggle have yielded substantial growth.
  2. Dec 11, 2020
    90
    It’s not clear if this is to be the last instalment of the man on the moon franchise, but what is clear is that Kid Cudi is back on track, and with this release, has made his best solo album to date.
  3. Dec 16, 2020
    83
    Throughout the journey of the Man on the Moon trilogy, which is imbued with many twists and turns, The Chosen captures Cudi as victorious, finally reaching his long-awaited destination.
  4. Dec 14, 2020
    80
    Cudi sparkles in the first two acts. ... While satisfying, the most endearing and powerful standout moments appear in the third and fourth acts.
  5. 80
    Kid Cudi gives us every part of himself, laying out his insecurities and inner demons in the hope that it might help someone else, his words etched into a vivid backdrop of intoxicating melodies and palatial riffs. No one does mood music quite like Cudi.
  6. Dec 16, 2020
    49
    “Mr. Solo Dolo III” is only memorable because of its title, which like too much of Man on the Moon III is coasting on a legacy built a lifetime ago.
  7. Dec 17, 2020
    50
    His music might still be relatable, but it has never sounded so cliché.
  8. Dec 14, 2020
    72
    This is a fun, sometimes moving project, extremely consistent and concise by the standards we apply to Kid Cudi since around 2013.
  9. 80
    While it might take a few listens to make sense of the album's seemingly muddled introduction, one thing is clear: by the end of this hour-long journey, Cudi has reached his destination.
  10. Dec 14, 2020
    83
    The album generally finds his deep-breathing, sing-song-y baritone nestled almost exclusively in ambient synth-hop. Ultimately, this nearly single-sourced sound is more consistent, and easier on the ears. ... But it’s when Cudi is by himself — lonely and punching through the darkness — that his somnolent, bittersweet reveries are at their tastiest.
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 311 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 21 out of 311
  1. Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. — A great return of one of hip hop's most brilliant artists.
  2. Dec 11, 2020
    0
    The new Kid Cudi album is utterly redundant and unoriginal - it sounds like he's conforming to today's hip-hop sound rather than embracing theThe new Kid Cudi album is utterly redundant and unoriginal - it sounds like he's conforming to today's hip-hop sound rather than embracing the stoner vibes that made him great. The album mostly consists of auto-tuned hooks and monotonous over-produced beats, but MOTM3 will probably receive relentless praise because unlike his past 5 albums, you can sit through it without going deaf. The features are also awful. Pass. Full Review »
  3. Dec 11, 2020
    5
    Man on the moon vol. III is a disappointing end to a trilogy. It really reflects Scott Mesudi's career where the Highs are High but they doMan on the moon vol. III is a disappointing end to a trilogy. It really reflects Scott Mesudi's career where the Highs are High but they do not outweigh the lows. Throughout the first act of the album shows how Cudi went from 'inspiration' to 'inspired by'. To me, this signified him moving away from his sound and conforming to modern sounds. Most do the tracks throughout the first act reminded me of a Travis Scott album without the fire that makes Travis's sound work. The production is very underwhelming. It's a really generic sound that you can find on most modern projects. The second act returns more to the Cudi we know, the spacy sound that makes him 'him'. However again again, it feels like he falls short in truly capturing the magic.

    The album has some high points. Tracks like Sept. 16 and the void are some really good tracks that I enjoyed but it does not weigh up to the uninspiring effort that was the first act.

    The features on this album did not anything either outside one or two good bars by the ever consistent Skepta.

    I believe a 5/10 is a fair rating, to me, it ranges from 4 to 6 out of 10 and it sits somewhere I nthe middle of his discography. I can't shake the feeling of disappointment though.
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