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Mind of Mine
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Mind of Mine Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1008 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut solo full-length release for the former One Direction singer features production from Levi Lennox and Malay.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Mar 25, 2016
    83
    He tends to keep his lyrical focus exactly where you’d expect any 23-year-old’s to be: on good girls, bad girls, hard-to-get girls, and the partying and videogames that fill the rare downtime in between.
  2. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 25, 2016
    80
    His vocals are by far the album’s most potent aspect, bringing grace and wonder even to the more routine material, and hoisting the better songs to classic status.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 1, 2016
    80
    Zayn has clearly achieved his aim of making an album of sexy, credible pop-R&B.
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 28, 2016
    60
    For all its inevitable ubiquity, this downbeat, low-lit album has the bonus of not being in your face at all.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Apr 5, 2016
    60
    It’s not a step forward, really, it’s a step to the side. There are still hints of the pop star Zayn was drowning out the RnB icon he wants to become.
  6. Spin
    Mar 30, 2016
    60
    His songs get to where they need to go, but they’re lacking in narrative, specificity... purpose, if you will.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Mar 24, 2016
    50
    The lyrics throughout Mind of Mine are similarly by-the-numbers pop-R&B: pleasure-obsessed, vaguely misogynist, and largely disposable. By the album's midpoint, Malik's playboy shtick starts to outstay its welcome.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 283 out of 312
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 312
  3. Negative: 16 out of 312
  1. cinnamongirl97
    Oct 15, 2021
    10
    Best debut album by a ex-band member of all time. Such a shame that critics did this album so dirty. Mind of Mine is the first time we saw whoBest debut album by a ex-band member of all time. Such a shame that critics did this album so dirty. Mind of Mine is the first time we saw who Zayn was. He opened up his heart, put out an incredible skipless album. His debut single Pillowtalk showed why he had to leave One Direction, on It's You he wrote one of the most honest lyrics I have ever seen. He served vocals with Fool For You, made the collab of the year with Wrong, made the sexiest song with TIO. Drunk was a bop, Rear View was vulnerable, Blue was heart-breaking. I also liked the fact that he used cultural elements. If I could change one thing about this album, it would definitely be the album cover. Zayn made history with his debut album!… Expand
  2. ondxrection
    Sep 18, 2019
    10
    se orgulho matasse eu estaria mortinha com esse primeiro álbum solo do meu amor! BÍBLIA
  4. Rorobeatgo
    Mar 25, 2016
    10
    Mind of Mine deviates from Zayns' previous work and displays the growth in his artistry. It's a cohesive body of work that flows completelyMind of Mine deviates from Zayns' previous work and displays the growth in his artistry. It's a cohesive body of work that flows completely through; there are no filler tracks. He really chooses carefully when to sing at full strength and when to pull back and his choices are stellar. The only difficulty is picking a favorite!… Expand
  5. sugoisugoi
    May 13, 2017
    10
    zayn actually surprised me with his album. i'm a person who thought only harry was gonna make solo music and no one else, then zayn came outzayn actually surprised me with his album. i'm a person who thought only harry was gonna make solo music and no one else, then zayn came out with MoM and i was shocked, also a little apprehensive, after much forethought i finally relinquished and listen to his album. it struck me to my core! the mood of his lyrics paired with the moodyness of his vocals sent me into a trance (i guess this is what doing drugs feels like). also with much of his songs, there is this vulnerability, a truth that pours out that i can only respect. it is true artistry… Expand
  6. Kdot55
    May 12, 2017
    10
    I was very surprised by this album! ZAYN did a fantastic job! The lyrics and tracklist are a bit wonky at times but being that the album isI was very surprised by this album! ZAYN did a fantastic job! The lyrics and tracklist are a bit wonky at times but being that the album is bit more moody, it somewhat lightens the mood. The standout tracks are INTERMISSION:flower, Borderz, and it's you. Flower is truly so beautiful and hope he has more like it on his other albums. His vocals are huge but not overwhelming and the production is beautiful. You can tell which artists influence him but the album never feels like he's biting their style. It's truly phenomenal and I applaud Zayn for taking a step away from the typical "first to leave a boyband" fake hip hop sound. This album is great. Good work Zayn!… Expand
  7. zquadziam1229
    Mar 25, 2016
    10
    I'm so proud of Zayn. Everything is perfect on this album : the lyrics, his voice ... Every single song is a master piece. I'm so happy thatI'm so proud of Zayn. Everything is perfect on this album : the lyrics, his voice ... Every single song is a master piece. I'm so happy that the world get to see his beautiful mind.… Expand
  8. archiekins1309
    Aug 20, 2018
    0
    expectionally bland, the lead single might seem catchy and classy but the album doesn't have a strong spot at all, not even once.

See all 312 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2016
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2016

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