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Miss Universe
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Miss Universe Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length release for the London-based singer-songwriter features co-production from Will Archer, Oli Barton-Wood, Jazzi Bobbi, Luke Bower, John Congleton, M.T. Hadley, and the Invisible's Dave Okumu.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Clash Music
    Mar 20, 2019
    90
    Miss Universe is an intimate record full of personal fears and emotions, but these are of wider, universal relevance. They should resonate with us all.
  2. Under The Radar
    May 10, 2019
    85
    Miss Universe is a hell of a debut, with Yanya proving herself a powerhouse of songwriting especially, not to mention her pristine vocals and unique guitar voice.
  3. Pitchfork
    Mar 22, 2019
    83
    Yanya’s songs reflect a woman who’s uncertain of how much of herself to reveal to the world. That is both the allure of Miss Universe and what augurs even brighter things to come.
  4. Q Magazine
    Mar 19, 2019
    80
    The West Londner's debut is startlingly intimate, full of soulful, jazzy echoes of a lonely city. [May 2019, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. AllMusic
    Mar 21, 2019
    80
    Yanya covers a wide breadth of styles and emotions here and even if it all doesn't hang together perfectly, Miss Universe is a fascinating debut that is reflective of the pressures we place on ourselves and others which all too often result in a striving but imperfect mess.
  6. The Skinny
    Mar 20, 2019
    80
    Although refusing to be pigeonholed, the album hangs together effortlessly and each part feels as vital as the last; despite its 17-song length, it’s hard to imagine Yanya’s vision without each one of these tracks.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 4, 2019
    78
    The only misstep comes from spoken interludes about WWAY Health, an unnecessary framing device for a smart, textured zigzag of songwriting.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Tigermonko
    Mar 31, 2019
    10
    I was unsure whether to give this a 10. All I know is that it is endlessly playable, covers a variety of styles and does so with panache. AlsoI was unsure whether to give this a 10. All I know is that it is endlessly playable, covers a variety of styles and does so with panache. Also it's probably my favourite album since Frank Ocean's album, so yeah, it's a 10.… Collapse
  2. iamjonas
    Mar 25, 2019
    10
    Every single track in this is just HEAVEN!!! She's definetly my favorite discover in years!
  4. mesmerze
    Apr 30, 2019
    9
    Я настолько доволен и приятно удивлен давно не был. Получилось просто охерительно!Я настолько доволен и приятно удивлен давно не был. Получилось просто охерительно!
  5. Vanners
    Mar 28, 2019
    9
    I went into this album expecting good things, whilst being unsure of what to expect. Needless to say, what Nilüfer Yanya has shown here isI went into this album expecting good things, whilst being unsure of what to expect. Needless to say, what Nilüfer Yanya has shown here is nothing short of sublime. At 53 minutes long Yanya manages to keep things interesting with all the very different tracks that continue to give the album steam up towards it's close whilst managing to hold on and not lose sight of the narrative she's going for throughout.
    I reckon for many this album is an acquired taste, but once it clicks it's bloody superb, especially for a debut album, blimey.
    I can't wait to see what Nilüfer Yanya has in store next.

    Favourite Tracks:
    Baby Blu, Tears, Safety Net, Paralysed, Heavyweight Champion Of The Year    … Expand
  6. replacement
    Feb 3, 2020
    9
    Album of the year 2019 for me. You can listen to it tons of times and every time you do that it's different in some ways, you discover newAlbum of the year 2019 for me. You can listen to it tons of times and every time you do that it's different in some ways, you discover new things. You never get tired of it. Like those old times' classics, in fact I had soon the impression of an instant classic. Hope she will be able to keep this level with her future works, in that case we have been graced with the gift of a great musical artist.… Expand
  7. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 2, 2021
    7
    Cut out the unnecessary WWAY HEALTH skits which bog down a monumental debut and you get one of the best records of 2019. No greater duo thanCut out the unnecessary WWAY HEALTH skits which bog down a monumental debut and you get one of the best records of 2019. No greater duo than Yanya and their guitar. Taking wildly interesting turns with her hooks ,rifts and songwriting ever real song is kept dynamic and engrossing. Her deep voice reminiscent of tirzah or king krule is a a smooth instrument she manipulates just as well as her guitars creating raw anthems from which no meaning is easily discernable. Favorites: tears,angels,monsters under the bed,safety net… Expand

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42
#42 Best Album of 2019
32
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