Ology
by Gallant
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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  1. The Guardian
    Jun 1, 2016
    80
    If this is what R&B’s future looks like it’s brighter than ever.
  2. PopMatters
    Jun 1, 2016
    80
    His first record reveals a felicity with language, a charismatic manner of singing, and a deep understanding of what makes a song work well beyond his years. Each track works on several layers. One can listen to it, make love to it, or just move to the beats.
  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 1, 2016
    75
    His words come off poetically, and in its totality, Ology is a slow burn that grows more infectious as it plays.
  5. Exclaim
    Jun 1, 2016
    70
    Ology's idiosyncrasies and emotional exhibitionism make for a genuinely honest, captivating listen.
  6. Q Magazine
    Jun 6, 2016
    60
    Not a straightforward journey, then, but still a rewarding one. [#361, p.108]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. gr8music365
    Jul 10, 2019
    10
    Gallant is on another level. The whole album is a masterpiece. The vocals and the smooth beats are just heaven and the lyrics take you on aGallant is on another level. The whole album is a masterpiece. The vocals and the smooth beats are just heaven and the lyrics take you on a trip with so many scenarios.… Full Review »
  2. aimalfarooq
    May 13, 2017
    8
    Incredible; listened to it in one go, and kept adding each song to a preset playlist. The tracks before the interlude sound similar, but areIncredible; listened to it in one go, and kept adding each song to a preset playlist. The tracks before the interlude sound similar, but are slick, smooth with Gallant serving flawless falsettos. The songs after the halfway point take a sudden shift, and he begins to offer something different in every track - the effect may be a little jarring, but the talent, skill and quality is all there.… Full Review »
  3. Blanche
    Oct 11, 2016
    6
    Believe me, I'm trying really hard to properly enjoy this album. But the somewhat obvious inconsistencies just weigh it down. DespiteBelieve me, I'm trying really hard to properly enjoy this album. But the somewhat obvious inconsistencies just weigh it down. Despite Gallant's clearly fantastic voice, despite STINT and the other producers doing a great job, the instrumentation and vocals don't always meet eye to eye. I quite like Bone+Tissue, Weight In Gold, Shotgun, Bourbon, Open Up, Counting and Chandra. The alternative R&B vocals by Gallant connects with the quirky, spluttering, chopped up samples and synths of the electronic production. The high-pitch vocals, the lyricism and tribal beats in Counting are utilised very well to produce some great aesthetics. Open Up has a pitch-bending mechanism going on with the synth which I feel really transcends with Gallant's voice nicely. Even Chandra itself features a much more emotionally driven, orchestral perspective of him which is both interesting and mesmerising to the ears. Episode is certainly a grower, a track I didn't like at first but have grown to enjoy. Gallant's soothing vocals certainly helped with that.

    Other tracks are not so much growers. The chorus in Jupiter is incredibly underwhelming and unexciting; Gallant's shrill falsetto vocals (although beautiful and technically very impressive) gradually becomes overused and a trait he relies on too much - in fact it soon becomes irritating with the constant "ooohs" in the middle of the tracks; Jhene Aiko's vocal delivery sounds imbalanced against Gallant's in the mix of Skipping Stones, to the extent where it sounds like they are singing against each other rather than with each other; the clicks on the latter portion of Chandra doesn't resonate with me at all and I feel as though they should have been replaced by electronic snares instead. Even the extremely short experimental interludes titled First and Last had some serious potential to be extended to full length, three to four minute tracks to produce some amazing songs.

    Any other tracks I haven't talked about are tracks I'm indifferent towards.

    I like the album. I think it's good and is worth listening to, but nothing more. The traces of hip-hop, funk, and the electronic flair that sits under the alternative R&B style of Gallant's voice and lyricism are respectable but remain unpolished. Perhaps I will really enjoy a future album by him when he starts to really push for the next gear, because the potential of Gallant is - without a shadow of doubt - there for all of us to see.    … Full Review »
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