Phoenix
by Rita Ora
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Nov 23, 2018
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 132
  3. Negative: 13 out of 132
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  1. KatysTouch
    Aug 9, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. one of the best album released in 2018. one of my favorites is falling to pieces… Expand
  2. jvdsmlxx
    Jul 10, 2021
    10
    One of the best albums of ALL-TIME! Rita served everything the gays wanted.
  3. chromatica2345
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    That album is so underrated. She did so well in lyrics, production, vocals.
  4. Qagami
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    This is a masterpiece! The first album I ever listened fully and it was worth it!
  5. Kubs_22
    Jul 8, 2020
    10
    She gave us a pure pop perfection! I can't tell ya how many times I've listening to this.
  6. 4R73N15
    May 29, 2020
    6
    Very mid. Her roc nation material was pretty interesting but she went fully basic and flavourless after signing to atlantic, and this album is the proof. It has some great songs but overall it's underwhelming
  7. AndreasQiu
    May 14, 2020
    10
    This album is perfect! Especially all the singles! You did a really great job, rita!
  8. petroskont
    Dec 23, 2018
    10
    Definitely the best album released on 2018.With songs like Let you love me,Anywhere and Only want you,Rita definitely has a big impact in the music industry.Couldn't be more excited for this album,this year wil be awesome for Rita!Stay tuned!!!!
  9. tomasmachadob
    Jan 29, 2020
    10
    Soo cool! It’s one of the best pop albums of the decade! Super fresh, electronic vibes and strong melodies! All the songs are pop but they are all different! Some songs May look that are a simple pop recipe but they a twist! It sound like the best album to play at a friends night out!
  10. Kagami_x3
    Jan 5, 2020
    10
    This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I could hear it everyday and i will do it!
  11. adrgomes
    Aug 12, 2019
    10
    Literally perfection! Rita us such an incredible singer, this album is really versatile! I just love it
  12. AndreJACKSONS
    Jun 9, 2019
    10
    Incredible songs. Letters that inspires me. Sound amazing all the songs. In special Falling to Pieces.
  13. NETMUSIC
    Jan 11, 2019
    7
    Great follow up to ORA! Good job.

    Best song(s):
    Girls
    Hell of a Life
    Lonely Together
    Let You Love Me
    For You
    Anywhere
    Summer Love

    Worst Song(s):
    Only Want You
  14. Dsros96
    Dec 13, 2018
    7
    A good album, but some songs sound too much alike. Having so many singles released prior to the album makes the non singles shine less. Girls and Your Song are basic and cheap compared with the rest of the album.
  15. LuisGuiilhermeS
    Dec 9, 2018
    10
    Without a doubt this is the best album by Rita Ora. She did everything she ever wanted to do, and I admire so much for it! The tracks "Your Song", "Anywhere" are the best of the album ..
  16. pursuingdreams
    Nov 28, 2018
    10
    Although I don't know much about Rita Ora's debut album, she is reborn and evolves in this album. The vocal is powerful and beautiful and the production is wonderful. The EDM element is good. Most of the collaborations work. Overall it's worthy to listen to this unexpectedly excellent album on repeat. One of the best pop album this year. She and this album deserve to get a big success.Although I don't know much about Rita Ora's debut album, she is reborn and evolves in this album. The vocal is powerful and beautiful and the production is wonderful. The EDM element is good. Most of the collaborations work. Overall it's worthy to listen to this unexpectedly excellent album on repeat. One of the best pop album this year. She and this album deserve to get a big success.
    Anywhere-10/10(amazing production)
    Let You Love Me-10/10(vocal and production are awesome)
    New Look-9.5/10(good but too short, expect more on this track)
    Lonely Together-10/10(actual score is 9.5 but pay homage to Avicii)
    Your Song-9.5/10(good but is not so attractive as other singles)
    Only Want You-9.5/10(vocal is great but the melody is not so addictive)
    First Time High-9.5/10(euphoric and vivid, especially the instrumental)
    For You-7.5/10(instrumental is a little bit weird, collaboration doesn't work)
    Summer Love-8/10(a little bit messy but vocal is gorgeous)
    Girls-7/10(not a skip but too complicated and the lyrics are controversial. Cardi's verse is not good)
    Keep Talking-9/10(really good despite the I don't like the bridge. Julia saves this song. Don't know why so many critics dislike this track)
    Hell Of A Life-10/10(excellent)
    Velvet Rope-10/10(different style but exceptionally smooth and catchy)
    Falling To Peaces-10/10(love the beginning of instrumental)
    Cashmere-10/10(pop perfection)
    Soul Survivor-8/10(does she sample? sounds similar to a classic that I don't know the title)
    favorite: velvet rope(best), anywhere, let you love me, falling to pieces
    Almost every track is single-worthy and most deluxe tracks deserve better.    … Expand
  17. daniel5_
    Nov 26, 2018
    10
    QUE ALBUM FODA, Rita provou pra todos que duvidaram dela que ela é sim uma artista de respeito. POP PERFECTION.
  18. potato-1
    Nov 25, 2018
    9
    Amazing album overall, containing an amazing performance by Rita, cementing her as the singer she is, this album cements her style and talent in the best way possible and its an amazing comeback to the music game, containing some of her best songs around the last 1 and a half years. As a fan, i gotta say the wait was worth it, this album deserves to be recognized, in my humble opinion, oneAmazing album overall, containing an amazing performance by Rita, cementing her as the singer she is, this album cements her style and talent in the best way possible and its an amazing comeback to the music game, containing some of her best songs around the last 1 and a half years. As a fan, i gotta say the wait was worth it, this album deserves to be recognized, in my humble opinion, one of the highlights of the year.
    The best non-singles are: First Time High, Only Want You, Keep Talking ft. Julia Michaels    … Expand
  19. ewhite
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    Easily one of the best pop albums this year. This album is the definition of "pop perfection".
  20. RK13
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    It is fair to say that the wait for "RO2" had started way back in the day of March 2014, when I Will Never Let You Down was released. Fast forward to November 2018, Ora has overcome many trials and tribulations to produce an absolute pop masterpiece, which has already produced 5 UK top 10 singles (Anywhere, Let You Love Me, Lonely Together, Your Song and For You) as well as the top 40 hitIt is fair to say that the wait for "RO2" had started way back in the day of March 2014, when I Will Never Let You Down was released. Fast forward to November 2018, Ora has overcome many trials and tribulations to produce an absolute pop masterpiece, which has already produced 5 UK top 10 singles (Anywhere, Let You Love Me, Lonely Together, Your Song and For You) as well as the top 40 hit Girls- which deserved a top 10... The album really shows Ora as an artist and some of my favourite songs are Let You Love Me, New Look and Cashmere. Now I actually can't wait for #RO3!… Expand
  21. joloramos_
    Nov 25, 2018
    10
    Phoenix is the culmination of the challenges Rita Ora has faced in the previous years. It's been six years since her last album, and this one is truly worth the wait. Before the release, I thought naming the album Phoenix might be a stupid move, but I was proven wrong. Truly, Rita Ora has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. This is the reason Rita Ora has continued to make waves in thePhoenix is the culmination of the challenges Rita Ora has faced in the previous years. It's been six years since her last album, and this one is truly worth the wait. Before the release, I thought naming the album Phoenix might be a stupid move, but I was proven wrong. Truly, Rita Ora has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. This is the reason Rita Ora has continued to make waves in the industry without releasing a studio album for more than half a decade. She laid herself bare in this album for all the world to witness her musical prowess, and it is truly a joyous ride.… Expand
  22. hemmonotta
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    She did something that others couldn't do this year: release a great non generic pop album with a cohesive direction, great production, vocals and lyrics. It's an album that can bring you fun and tears. Plus, i really loved the order of the tracklist, starting with Anywhere that is simply amazing, a pop gem!
  23. nodrama09
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    This is easily the best pop album of 2019!!! cohesive and very fun, she gave us vocals, production, inspirational songs and also dance songs. I really didn't think that i would like it so much but i did, you all should listen to it!!!
  24. maxakerley
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    One of the best pop albums of the year. All of the tracks play into one-another, and there's no fillers. Hopefully this is just the start of Rita's taste of success. From pop bangers, to slow ballads, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Pop perfection at its finest.
  25. NonnasDangerous
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Definitely the best pop album I've heard this year. The 6 year wait was definitely worth it. Anywhere is my favourite single and the production of that song is definitely amazing. I love the massive improvement over ORA, as she has decided to go for a wistful, electropop style instead of a heavy electronic-dance sound (which I also love). Falling To Pieces is one of my favourites, theDefinitely the best pop album I've heard this year. The 6 year wait was definitely worth it. Anywhere is my favourite single and the production of that song is definitely amazing. I love the massive improvement over ORA, as she has decided to go for a wistful, electropop style instead of a heavy electronic-dance sound (which I also love). Falling To Pieces is one of my favourites, the inclusion of the trumpet makes it sound so gorgeous. Velvet Rope is also a beautiful song. The addition of Lonely Together with Avicii has really pleased me as it is a very good song. Only Want You, First Time High and Hell Of A Life are perfection. Practically every song from the album is single-material and I'm really impressed. Well done Rita Ora!… Expand
  26. Giovanni_FN
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Definitivamente uma obra prima, produção e vocais impecáveis somados à músicas contagiantes e arrepiantes.
  27. silviaciarcia
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    The six-years wait was absolutely worth it: Phoenix is the best pop album of the year. Rita Ora's previously released hits mix perfectly with seven new relatable songs that describe her personality and what she's been through. It's an album about love, about insecurity and confidence, about finding yourself again and rise even though people tried to shut you down.
    This is the PURE POP    The six-years wait was absolutely worth it: Phoenix is the best pop album of the year. Rita Ora's previously released hits mix perfectly with seven new relatable songs that describe her personality and what she's been through. It's an album about love, about insecurity and confidence, about finding yourself again and rise even though people tried to shut you down.
    This is the PURE POP sounding album that we all needed this year.    … Expand
  28. r_az
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Easily the best pop album of the year, anywhere, your song, lonely together are now classics to Europeans and this album is a breeze to pop music !
  29. 63704r
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Phoenix is the huge comeback by artist Rita Ora. After separating ways with Roc Nation and signing with Atlantic Records, she finally got the freedom every artist should have. This album includes pop/dance-pop/contemporary RnB songs with amazing production and great vocals. She poured her heart out in this one and you can even feel her pain and everything she went through in the albumPhoenix is the huge comeback by artist Rita Ora. After separating ways with Roc Nation and signing with Atlantic Records, she finally got the freedom every artist should have. This album includes pop/dance-pop/contemporary RnB songs with amazing production and great vocals. She poured her heart out in this one and you can even feel her pain and everything she went through in the album closing track "Soul Survivor".… Collapse
  30. emile20
    Nov 23, 2018
    10
    Rita makes a triumphant return to music, dance-pop rnb laced perfection. This album is pure pop and amazing filled with so much single material
  31. NjM
    Nov 23, 2018
    10
    Extremamente perfeito negas. Lenda viva passou 6 anos na luta mas não decepcionou em nada. MASTERPIECE

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Q Magazine
    Nov 27, 2018
    60
    Ora shines brightest on the album's calmer moments. [Jan 2019, p.113]
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 26, 2018
    60
    Phoenix is perfectly fine, but its strongest moments make you realise that it could have been great.
    Read full review
  3. The Line of Best Fit
    Nov 26, 2018
    70
    While some of the artists brought onto the project feel more tactical than functional, when Ora is placed in the spotlight she tends to deliver.
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