Manic
by Halsey
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jan 17, 2020
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1008 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 844 out of 1008
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 1008
  3. Negative: 108 out of 1008
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  1. ClementineZM
    Sep 11, 2023
    10
    The bravery of how Confessional this album is leaves me appalled. Not many artists would dare write such a beautiful song about miscarriages and struggles of pregnancy, family issues and bipolar, femininity and sexuality this way.

    Manic represents a complete person without filters. Every broken piece set to shine with a beautiful tune like never before.
  2. Ureear
    Mar 20, 2023
    10
    Halsey is a force to be reckoned with on this album from her songwriting, to her beautiful vocals. One of the best albums i've heard in a very long time.
  3. jxshua
    Mar 16, 2023
    9
    Supreme songwriting, melodically brilliant, vocally brilliant. What an album, one of Halsey's best. 10/10!
  4. Akura-ou
    Feb 1, 2023
    10
    Like the predecessor of this album, this album is simply wonderful and for me there is no flaws
  5. zarnainshahzad1
    Dec 13, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Manic is perfect blend of different genre. This album gives person every thing too jump on and be angry on country and alternative pop songs to cry on ballots and indie songs. This album is very soothing songs in it are lullabies putting you too sleep. This album is perfect for a teenager whose life is complicated. As halsey is bisexual so many songs in this album are written in such a way so it can attract a wider audience.… Expand
  6. Saraafn
    Jun 23, 2022
    6
    mhhh idk how to feel about this one. It's felt a little bit boring honestly and the interludes (except Suga's one) were bad. The singles basically saved the album for me and as a track, i enjoyed 3am.
  7. barbosaalvesfla
    Sep 16, 2021
    10
    For me, it's a very strong, sincere, and artistic album. Well, Halsey is like that.
  8. cahllamastia
    Aug 25, 2021
    10
    Uma das coisas coisas mais incríveis de Manic é a diversidade de estilos musicais no álbum (pop, rock, kpop, country...), além das letras muito pessoais e íntimas, que deixam o álbum MUITO emocional. Dá pra sentir a sinceridade no que ela canta, é sensacional.
  9. gustavomar
    Aug 19, 2021
    10
    So proud of Halsey! This album couldn't be more honest and enjoyable! Lyrics and productions are awesome!
  10. wh4td01kn0w
    Jul 7, 2021
    1
    this album aged like milk just like all halsey albums, is just so predictible and boring, she could do better if she tried at least for once
  11. Beauschamp
    Jun 27, 2021
    3
    It’s a little drab. Met with overused concepts of heartbreak and fore lorn love. “Without Me” is the only memorable song which is sad in that it’s a single. I just wish there was more intense songwriting and more intentional production than what is there. Like what was on Badlands, which(in my opinion is her best/my favorite album from her).
  12. eliovangogh
    Apr 13, 2021
    10
    when i first heard manic, i couldn't stop crying. this album is very sensual, frank and at times intimate. it feels like halsey is sitting in front of me and telling the story of her hard life. manic is an alternative album with a touch of country and r&b, which is mesmerizing from the very first song. halsey is still a lyrical genius, she speaks the truth on this album. this album is anwhen i first heard manic, i couldn't stop crying. this album is very sensual, frank and at times intimate. it feels like halsey is sitting in front of me and telling the story of her hard life. manic is an alternative album with a touch of country and r&b, which is mesmerizing from the very first song. halsey is still a lyrical genius, she speaks the truth on this album. this album is an underrated masterpiece.… Expand
  13. Americae
    Mar 23, 2021
    10
    Artist please take notes!!!! This is how to make a masterpiece, Manic is outstanding it surpassed all my expectations and exceeded them. Halsey is an a r t i s t s no doubt.
  14. Juliarss
    Mar 21, 2021
    10
    Definitivamente um dos melhores álbuns que eu já ouvi e digo com tranquilidade. Essa mulher é uma artista completa, e ela evidenciou isso mais ainda nessa era. Halsey entenda que você é tudo ❤️
  15. All_ButTrU4
    Mar 14, 2021
    5
    No halsey Noooo. This was very disappointing for me. I expected so much especially considering the strength of her debut, the personality of her follow up and the sigles. God were the singles magnificent. "Without Me " a song so creative, catchy and emotional it took over the airwaves just as much as it did people's hearts. It showed all her best qualities:ear for hooks,strong songwritingNo halsey Noooo. This was very disappointing for me. I expected so much especially considering the strength of her debut, the personality of her follow up and the sigles. God were the singles magnificent. "Without Me " a song so creative, catchy and emotional it took over the airwaves just as much as it did people's hearts. It showed all her best qualities:ear for hooks,strong songwriting and breathy delivery. It felt like a precursor to something grand. Like a return to the roots of "Badlands" streamlined emo pop. If there was still any doubt the stellar "Clementine " would've erased them. We are given a tour of a fractured mind trying to piece itself back together and it showed her power as an artist successful enough to choose what she wants released. With this I thought AOTY was locked in but unfortunately that was a great as it would get. The record took a sharp left turn into the place concept albums go to die. The story they envisioned was prioritized above the music and it shows. The opener "Ashley" tries it's best to gently slide you into the world of "MANIAC " and almost does so. The sputtering syths and rolling piano notes seem to drone rather than lull. There's a pretentious feel to it as of it is doing more than it should. But all considered it wasn't a bad song. The first half is very strong as it's packed with the singles which as an isolated group of songs would've been a must hear Ep but as she would have it it would continue. The "experimental "(i say it sarcastically as it's idea of experimentation is just bad production and self depreciating lyrics and ill advised features. )second half is no longer insular as it shifts the lense to relationships and how they affect the depressed (manic)narrator. There is a very pleasant three song punch of " Dominick interlude" ,"3am"&"i hate everybody" that is so cohesive it threatens to break the generic interruptions of track 4&5 but eventually you realize that they aren't that good and you only thought they were because the album required low expectations to enjoy. So much so it must be a concept album on disappointment. The cliches come in many saccharine and sometimes annoying forms such as the unnecessary Kate Winslet sample in "killing boys" or the stream grab of the "suga interlude ". It has so much unchecked ambition that it ends up sounding mediocre. As if it's all bells and whistles but no practicality. I wish this could've been better. Favourites:without me,clementine,graveyard… Expand
  16. PEDROMFR
    Feb 2, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album clearly gets me mixed feelings. Althought some songs are somehow catchy, most cannot spread their beautiful messages because of the mixed and raw sounds. The bigger example is "Forever/Beautiful Stranger". Nevertheless, credits must be given to Halsey´s writing skills.
    Top Track: Without Me;
    Worst Track: the Interludes.    … Expand
  17. WillCanul
    Jan 26, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. omg, this album is a piece of art. for me 3am is the best track, but also you should be sad and finally // beautiful stranger are so great… Expand
  18. ViolaXie
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    amazing album. i love the tone halsey created throughout the piece, itz rlly unique and stood out from the sea of similar pop music these days. i do love some of the tracks because they were so relatable. what i thought was missing in this piece was variety. to be honest most of the tracks sounded pretty much the same. few of them rlly stood out. but overall itz better than most ive heardamazing album. i love the tone halsey created throughout the piece, itz rlly unique and stood out from the sea of similar pop music these days. i do love some of the tracks because they were so relatable. what i thought was missing in this piece was variety. to be honest most of the tracks sounded pretty much the same. few of them rlly stood out. but overall itz better than most ive heard and i would urge u to go on and pay for it.… Expand
  19. asdeerty
    Dec 26, 2020
    10
    Uno de los trabajos más emocionantes de Halsey, en donde tiene canciones de amor hacia otra persona, como hacia ella, pero también de odio. En sí suena muy "ruidoso" en cuanto al mundo del álbum, no en sus sonidos. Es bastante experimental como lo es ella y también expresivo.
  20. adamdg3353
    Dec 21, 2020
    8
    Manic is an album that stays true to its title: it is manic. Albums cannot be built on emotion alone, and that is why Halsey uses her vocal talent, songwriting talent, and superior production on this project. Easily better than hopeless fountain kingdom.

    Favourite tracks: clementine, Graveyard, You should be sad, I HATE EVERYBODY, 3am, Finally // beautiful stranger, More, 929 Least    Manic is an album that stays true to its title: it is manic. Albums cannot be built on emotion alone, and that is why Halsey uses her vocal talent, songwriting talent, and superior production on this project. Easily better than hopeless fountain kingdom.

    Favourite tracks: clementine, Graveyard, You should be sad, I HATE EVERYBODY, 3am, Finally // beautiful stranger, More, 929

    Least favourite tracks: Ashley. There are not many terrible tracks here, just some very mediocre ones.    … Expand
  21. Flormch
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    Una obra de arte. Los temas no envejecen y la conexión entre ellos es excelente
  22. TheJaym
    Dec 12, 2020
    7
    Very good singles , Good lyrics , nice vocals , each song is different which is the point and makes it interesting but takes a lot away from it being cohesive .
  23. vasiliss
    Dec 11, 2020
    9
    it's a really good album. giving chill vibes and enjoyable at the same time! the lyrics are perfect too.
  24. vitortfv
    Dec 5, 2020
    6
    Ashley - 6/10
    clementine - 6,4/10
    Graveyard - 8/10
    You should be sad - 7/10
    Forever ... (is a long time) - 6,5/10
    Dominic's Interlude - 6,7/10
    I HATE EVERYBODY - 6,7/10
    3am - 7,5/10
    Without Me - 8/10
    Finally // beautiful stranger - 7/10
    Alanis' Interlude - 5,4/10
    killing boys - 6/10
    SUGA's Interlude - 5,6/10
    More - 6/10
    Still Learning - 6/10
    929 - 6/10
  25. noinguyen
    Dec 1, 2020
    6
    Halsey continues to grow as an artist on her third album "Manic".

    Favorite tracks: Ashley, Forever ... (is a long time), 3am, Without Me, Finally // beautiful stranger, Alanis' Interlude
    Least favorite tracks: clementine, SUGA's Interlude, Still Learning
  26. Mutaz
    Nov 30, 2020
    9
    HALSEY HALSEY !! Loved the album it’s so emotional
  27. wilsondemian
    Nov 25, 2020
    10
    i love you .........................................................................................................................halsey
  28. masonn
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    Ashley doesn’t hesitate to bring you through raw emotions. Sadness, dryness, anger, happiness all mixed into a album.
  29. iamselly
    Oct 21, 2020
    10
    i guess this became my favourite halsey album. album's story , lyrics , melodies are so wonderful.
  30. normanfgabriel
    Sep 15, 2020
    6
    É um álbum interessante, em que eu fui capaz de curtir alguns momentos, mas acho que Halsey quis vender uma ideia introspectiva e não executou muito bem, acho que falta profundidade, e ela buscou sonoridades dinâmicas no álbum e também não acredito que consiga se destacar em todas elas
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - 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. Q Magazine
    Feb 11, 2020
    80
    Freighted by unflinching lyrics, Manic is a magnificent - and magnificently raw - pop confessional. [Apr 2020, p.110]
  2. No Ripcord
    Feb 4, 2020
    40
    The real problem is that the best ideas are outvoted by frustrating ones, leaving us with little touches like the short, yelping-like sound in the second verse of More or the distorted vocals that end killing boys. There are some good moments here, but even the best of them can’t help Halsey get out of her own way.
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  3. Paste Magazine
    Jan 29, 2020
    68
    Manic is a rich and often confounding listen, an expansive album filled to the brim with the imagined worlds Halsey’s built for herself in the real one. It’s also sincerely, indefatigably Halsey: She puts her loves and ambitions on wholly earnest display, even if it doesn’t always make for the most consistent listen.
    Read full review
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