Oxnard
by Anderson .Paak
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 98 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 113
  3. Negative: 5 out of 113
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  1. Jonsnow123
    Apr 15, 2019
    9
    One girl told me "Come on over, there's nobody home"

    I went over there was nobody home!
  2. ChrisSoTru
    Nov 19, 2018
    9
    Oxnard is the third studio album by Anderson .Paak that has big shoes to fill after the release of Malibu, and despite relative aesthetics, both of these projects are well distinguished and refined in quality.
    In short, Oxnard delivered much like its predecessor.
    The production in Oxnard was enriched in variety and captured every emotion beautifully. Slow-tempo tracks like Anywhere and    Oxnard is the third studio album by Anderson .Paak that has big shoes to fill after the release of Malibu, and despite relative aesthetics, both of these projects are well distinguished and refined in quality.
    In short, Oxnard delivered much like its predecessor.

    The production in Oxnard was enriched in variety and captured every emotion beautifully. Slow-tempo tracks like Anywhere and Headlow managed to function as both funky and relaxing. It is a distinguished characteristic that Anderson .Paak has specialized in from time to time.

    He excels in versatility. Most of his features knock it out of the park, with the exception of Dr. Dre, who is strangely awkward in his flow and lyricism for Mansa Musa, an exceptional track that had little effect on me, personally. It felt sub-par in many aspects, but that’s where the cons stop.

    Brother’s Keeper and Trippy caught some eyes for the exceptional features. Though far apart in sound, both Pusha T and J. Cole enters each track properly and delivers on their end. The first mentioned track is a surprising banger that is inconceivable for an Anderson .Paak album, yet it is pleasantly welcomed. As for the latter, Jermaine sets up an unorthodox take on love, but his appearance and verse complements the track pretty welll, beautifully crafted by producer Chris Dave.

    This album overall is meant to be a fun joyride, filled with comedic events like .Paak receiving head on the second track and crashing in the process, while pointing fun at the President in an original take on politics in 6 Summers. Many of these tracks are split into halves, and each half is satisfactory for many tempos.

    When Anderson .Paak wants to capture a mood, he does it on his command, and he excels in a way that many artists haven’t been able to do this year.

    Overall, the problem I have with this project is that while it is musically pleasing, many of these tracks seems to focus on more mid-tempo rather than distinguish itself with further ends of a musical spectrum that .Paak can easily manipulate. He is very versatile, but strangely there is an anti-climatic format of tracks. The last songs on this album, including the bonus tracks, are anti-climatic, with .Paak being held at gunpoint in one skit and then transitioning to a different scenario with no explanation given. The themes of luxury, crazy love, and fame stay true to the geographic culture in California, but gets tiring when the preceding Malibu has proven to do these better. It is not a straight duplicate, but it is fairly inferior in this subject.

    But that shouldn’t knock it down a peg too much. This album was fun, exciting, chill, and existential in many aspects. While the demands of a different album in .Paak’s discography may not have been answered in a satisfactory extent, it is a pleasing continuation that distinguished itself from other music this year. Another home run for Anderson .Paak, and a great addition to the closing year.    … Expand
  3. ZPJones
    Dec 6, 2018
    9
    Anderson .Paak has a funky vibe to his tracks. Loved his music since Malibu. When he announced Tints with Kendrick Lamar, I was stoked, and when I heard it, I was listening to it on repeat. And I knew that the album would be dope. And I was right.
  4. ethanct86
    Nov 18, 2018
    9
    He just flows so well on each track, especially the Dre-produced ones. Hand-down one of the best rap albums of this year.
  5. GrantD243
    Nov 17, 2018
    7
    It's not anywhere near the level of Malibu, but it's a solid listen with some catchy songs.
  6. skamoo321
    Nov 17, 2018
    10
    The album definitely takes a lot more sonic and stylistic risks compared to Malibu, yet stays true to motifs that helped us fall in love with Paak in the first place. The result is a dynamic ride filled with twist and turns through the entire experience.
  7. Danila12
    Nov 16, 2018
    10
    Wow! I’s so impressed by the funky, groovy, smooth sound Oxnard has! Fantastic 9,5/10 from 10
  8. draediamond
    Nov 17, 2018
    7
    The soulful ride that made Malibu incredible just isn't here. It's an exciting album that starts off with the impression that a great vibe is here but the album doesn't have such a vibe. It's a little weird to hear Paak going more sexual here than he did with Malibu especially given the overall sound of this project compared to Malibu. There is incredible music here such as tints (still aThe soulful ride that made Malibu incredible just isn't here. It's an exciting album that starts off with the impression that a great vibe is here but the album doesn't have such a vibe. It's a little weird to hear Paak going more sexual here than he did with Malibu especially given the overall sound of this project compared to Malibu. There is incredible music here such as tints (still a highlight and most reminiscent of Malibu), Brother's Keepers, Cheers, etc. Moments such as these are more rare here. With Dr. Dre as the executive producer, the beat selection was surprisingly sub par. It's definitely a good album but it's too inconsistent. Songs sound either misplaced or unneeded. The skit about that guy going to a girl's house and literally nobody being home might've been one of the more memorable parts and that's not good. Malibu used snippets like that too but the music out shined it. It's honestly not an album with much replayability and I'll probably just delete it and download Malibu again.… Expand
  9. thedaywalker
    Nov 18, 2018
    6
    I'm so disappointed with this album. After he released Bubblin, I got excited, he released Tints, I got even more excited, then he released Who R U? and my excitement was through the rough. Having just finished listening to it, it was quite underwhelming.

    Paak did not bring anything exciting to the table, lyrically very blend and average. The album seemed to lack energy, and some of the    I'm so disappointed with this album. After he released Bubblin, I got excited, he released Tints, I got even more excited, then he released Who R U? and my excitement was through the rough. Having just finished listening to it, it was quite underwhelming.

    Paak did not bring anything exciting to the table, lyrically very blend and average. The album seemed to lack energy, and some of the production was so dull and lazy.

    The features give this album more life, unfortunately Paak gets outdone in almost every song with a feature on it. Where paak is at his best, Lyrically is in the song Sweet Chick, coming up with some clever and funny lyrics, but even that song disappoints a bit in the end.

    Paak will look back at this and know he can do much, MUCH better.

    Favorite Tracks: Tints, Who R U? Mans Musa, Sweet Chick
    Least Favorite Tracks: Anywhere, Left To Right, Smile/Petty    … Expand
  10. yoshimon3
    Nov 18, 2018
    5
    Yeah uh this is probably the most disappointing release of the year by a mile. Bland production, average lyrics, generic performances and lack of focus is not how I thought I'd ever be describing a .Paak album, but here we are. After 3 listens, I can safely say this album is saved by its features. The only incredible songs to be found are due to its features. This won't cut it, it's in aYeah uh this is probably the most disappointing release of the year by a mile. Bland production, average lyrics, generic performances and lack of focus is not how I thought I'd ever be describing a .Paak album, but here we are. After 3 listens, I can safely say this album is saved by its features. The only incredible songs to be found are due to its features. This won't cut it, it's in a different dimension to Malibu and Yes Lawd.… Expand
  11. theTRUFE
    Nov 18, 2018
    0
    Think watered down Jamiroquai..yawn.

    Relies on numerous "guest performers"..Snoop- really...yawn

    Money is a underlying theme..yawn.

    BASIC shovelware
  12. Alex_Nevermind
    Dec 2, 2018
    1
    Despite notable feature artists and some production by Dr. Dre, I still couldn't get into Paak's "Oxnard" project. I'm NOT saying that Paak isn't talented. I'm sure that he does. The problem for me is that the production and the music direction of his albums always leave me wanting more. Much more. :-(
  13. spenceryang8
    Feb 4, 2019
    8
    Oxnard has a stronger sense of direction than its predecessor and is a breath of fresh air in the current state of pop rap and neo-soul.

    FAV TRACKS: THE CHASE, TINTS, WHO R U?, 6 SUMMERS, SMILE / PETTY, MANSA MUSA, BROTHER'S KEEPER, ANYWHERE, CHEERS

    LEAST FAV TRACK: LEFT TO RIGHT
  14. coopsjt998
    Jan 19, 2020
    9
    Anderson .Paak is a clear breath of fresh air in this age of hip-hop music. He wears his influences of funk, jazz, soul, r&b and more on his sleeve throughout this record on production. He murders nearly every one of these beats with exceptional lyricism matched with complementary featured artists. Anderson takes a riskier approach to this record when compared to past projects, but stillAnderson .Paak is a clear breath of fresh air in this age of hip-hop music. He wears his influences of funk, jazz, soul, r&b and more on his sleeve throughout this record on production. He murders nearly every one of these beats with exceptional lyricism matched with complementary featured artists. Anderson takes a riskier approach to this record when compared to past projects, but still hits a home-run. One of the best albums of 2018.… Expand
  15. zachym11
    Oct 13, 2020
    9
    Such a great album for summer and another great project for Anderson .Paak.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2018
48
#48 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Uncut
    Jan 2, 2019
    70
    Uneven but mostly engaging third solo album. [Feb 2019, p.30]
  2. Mojo
    Dec 17, 2018
    60
    Certainly, the music here is very often brilliant. ... .Paak's tendency for juvenile and preening bad-boy bluster is a recurring weakness. [Feb 2019, p.84]
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Dec 14, 2018
    75
    Ultimately, the bigged up production doesn’t suit .Paak’s soulful tendencies, which are further lost in his switch to rap. There are a few highlights, sure, but not nearly enough for an artist who I would’ve placed bets would be the next Big Thing.
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