Special
by Lizzo
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jul 15, 2022
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 113
  3. Negative: 23 out of 113
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  1. Bourgu
    Jun 29, 2023
    0
    just a normal boring album while had others so so amazing and good!!! this is just 1 hit wonder and another songs ....
  2. wojtekk
    Mar 16, 2023
    6
    Good album, nothing less and nothing more. First of all I'm a big Lizzo fan, totally love her! Album has no skips, however there are big differences in level of some songs. With Cuz i love you Lizzo had set the bar very high, sadly for Special album - too high. 2 be loved (am i ready), About damn time, Special, The Sign and even If you love me - these are the songs that carry the album.Good album, nothing less and nothing more. First of all I'm a big Lizzo fan, totally love her! Album has no skips, however there are big differences in level of some songs. With Cuz i love you Lizzo had set the bar very high, sadly for Special album - too high. 2 be loved (am i ready), About damn time, Special, The Sign and even If you love me - these are the songs that carry the album. Amazing tracks and each is an amazing job, rest might is a bit boring and only lyrics make them no-skip tracks. I hope next project will be a mix of Special AND Cuz i love you :))… Expand
  3. Sross1239
    Mar 15, 2023
    6
    While Lizzo continues her success and positive messages on this album, it overall comes up short of being a satisfying follow up to her previous album. The album takes less risks and many tracks end up sounding generic, although they are enjoyable. As a second major label project, it’s not terrible, but it lacks some of the creativity and unapologetic nature of Lizzo in the past few years.
  4. evandosf
    Jan 12, 2023
    5
    It's a 12-track compilation only made to somehow go viral on Tik Tok. Awful lyrics but good instrumentation, congrats to its producers.
  5. PEDROMFR
    Nov 27, 2022
    6
    Besides the important and positive messages, most of these songs sound outdated. With "Special" we all expected an evolution from Lizzo, a step forward in her career that was not just based on commercial success, but for me it didn´t achieved that goal. Lizzo's still a "singles" artist.
  6. MusicGuyMack
    Sep 27, 2022
    7
    Its arrangements don't reinvent the R&B wheel [though the odd searing guitar solo and more acoustic folk-minded track make for welcome bridges to other genres] and its lyrical content isn't particularly profound or revelatory, but the irrepressible joy and abundant positive vibes Lizzo infuses every second of "Special" with via peppy instrumentals and her stellar vocals make the record oneIts arrangements don't reinvent the R&B wheel [though the odd searing guitar solo and more acoustic folk-minded track make for welcome bridges to other genres] and its lyrical content isn't particularly profound or revelatory, but the irrepressible joy and abundant positive vibes Lizzo infuses every second of "Special" with via peppy instrumentals and her stellar vocals make the record one that's nonetheless hard to resist for the sheer uplift the singer provides to listeners as well as herself.

    Choice Cuts: "2 Be Loved [Am I Ready]," "Special," "Naked," "If You Love Me"    … Expand
  7. javierp
    Aug 26, 2022
    5
    The songs are fun but it feels like it's the same one over and over again. I think this lowers the quality of a record that, regarding the expectations, could have been a smash project.
  8. Crutionix
    Aug 23, 2022
    9
    "Special" feels like a confidently put together project with everything that Lizzo's learned through her career. The songs feel classically Lizzo but in a way that doesn't come across as boring or cheap. Highlights include: "2 Be Loved (I am ready)" and "If You Love Me" with other tracks like "Everybody's Gay" and "Coldplay" coming in as great tracks.

    This album deserves your listen.
  9. Yurer13
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    I loved so much this album, the all álbum have a good energy and talk so much with me, her voice is PERFECT, I’m like how lizzo take your humor, and your jokes and pass to the music, when she says sheesh I in the moments close my eyes and smile seeing she saying this little word
  10. daichislvt
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    this album really does stay true to itself... it's truly SPECIAL. i'm speechless
  11. cacau3435
    Aug 21, 2022
    6
    Sinto que ela tentou fazer um álbum Jazz/Rap/Dance, más não conseguiu inovar, seu último álbum Cuz I Love You deixou grandes expectativas para seu próximo álbum, não acho que foram atendidas.
  12. Ritasecret
    Aug 21, 2022
    3
    Lady gaga and Nicki Minaj did it better! this lady really should take a note from the queens! Apparently she need to stop clown herself.
  13. natalipistan
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    Fue un viaje entretenido desde principio a fin. Lo que hizo Lizzo aquí es especial.
  14. brenno1206
    Aug 21, 2022
    7
    É um álbum bem legal, divertido e tem faixas bem bacanas também, mas não passa disso, apesar de ser um álbum bom parece que não tem nada demais.
  15. Jorgepardo
    Jul 18, 2022
    10
    She always makes me extremely happy with her music.
    I love her voice. She’s so sweet and has a great taste in music. Her genres and music performances are just great. My lizzo
  16. jts0429
    Aug 12, 2022
    9
    The album is one for the books for Lizzo. It is full of energy and positivity. Her song Special is my favorite from the entire project. She is so vibrant and puts it into her music.
  17. josequezad
    Aug 12, 2022
    0
    Lizzo is a great artist. Fun, powerful voice, comes across likeable. But when she goes out of her way to win Twitter points, put out some grandiose 'girl boss' persona, etc., I roll my eyes. Maybe she'll stop caring what people think and focus solely on the music for future projects. Also, the big majority of the tracks just sound like cringy gen-z quotes to me. it kind of feels like toxicLizzo is a great artist. Fun, powerful voice, comes across likeable. But when she goes out of her way to win Twitter points, put out some grandiose 'girl boss' persona, etc., I roll my eyes. Maybe she'll stop caring what people think and focus solely on the music for future projects. Also, the big majority of the tracks just sound like cringy gen-z quotes to me. it kind of feels like toxic positivity to me.… Expand
  18. Axeminis
    Aug 5, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best album of 2022 incredible songs that make you dance. With incredible sounds that make you remember Britney Spears, Maddona, The weekend, Prince, Beyonce, etc... . But I feel like there's something missing on this record… Expand
  19. KevinMFS
    Jul 29, 2022
    9
    Lizzo on this album sounds espectacular. The lyrics are simple and you can understand the message right away after you start listening to it, the production and the vocals are the highlight here. She talks about self-love and female empowerment and I'm here for it. She deserves everything.
  20. Lovejtmk
    Jul 29, 2022
    2
    It was sooo corny with no true depth. It's like she was wearing a mask of positivity. It was as if she was hiding her true feelings... with cookie cutter lyrics. Very lackluster.
  21. hausoflilluis
    Jul 25, 2022
    6
    When I found out about the original concept of the album [rock and politic], I was a bit disappointed remembering the genres that are in the current project, according to critics. Throughout the LP, I heard a lot of things that sound like Cuz I Love You: body positivity, cursing, uncontrolled screaming and Hip-Hop with funk. I thought that Lizzo would improve musically, but I see that sheWhen I found out about the original concept of the album [rock and politic], I was a bit disappointed remembering the genres that are in the current project, according to critics. Throughout the LP, I heard a lot of things that sound like Cuz I Love You: body positivity, cursing, uncontrolled screaming and Hip-Hop with funk. I thought that Lizzo would improve musically, but I see that she has remained at the same point since 2019, which has benefited her in marketing. Perhaps, as an independent, she was doing better... The only thing that helped change my perspective was the final message on the "Special" edition of AppleMusic: an album made out of love for modern times. A good one, but it does not help to ascend.

    fav tracks: "Naked", "Birthday Girl", "Coldplay", "Special" & "Everybody's Gay"
    KEY-TRACK: "About Damn Time"    … Expand
  22. bidenbussyqueef
    Jul 25, 2022
    10
    lizzo literally slayed with this album. i honestly have no idea how people online think it's underwhelming; it's just perfect
  23. iamdavidcipra
    Jul 19, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i think her latest album is such a BOP album,i love the lizzo the way she is… Expand
  24. All_ButTrU4
    Jul 18, 2022
    4
    Lizzo is a beacon. She's an energetic, body positive and contagious eruption of joy. Her image is one of improvement in all facets of life and knowing that it's okay to not feel okay . Her 2019 major label succeeded because of this inimitable presence she casts and as this record shows this one should be. "Special " might not live up to it's name in terms of giving us a new side or soundLizzo is a beacon. She's an energetic, body positive and contagious eruption of joy. Her image is one of improvement in all facets of life and knowing that it's okay to not feel okay . Her 2019 major label succeeded because of this inimitable presence she casts and as this record shows this one should be. "Special " might not live up to it's name in terms of giving us a new side or sound of lizzo's but it sure does if it pertains to how it makes you feel. This record feels good to listen to ,beginning with a bubbling lizzo's saying **** ,did you miss me?" knowing just how much awfulness has happened between now and "Truth Hurts" . "The sign " is my favorite off the record because it's the most free she's sounded. The lead single "about damn time" had failed to resonate with me beyond the fact it wasn't awful but on the album it's a full fun confident wake up call . The third song is one of the worst I've heard from her and i don't think that because of it's slight controversy over containing a slur ,no. Instead it's because of how painful it sounds. It's nearly a parody with how thin the lyrics feel or how annoying the chorus just is,this being a single was a big mistake. Max Martin arrives to help usher in one of lizzo's catches songs 2beloved(im ready) . It's an earworm weirdly reminiscent of Adeles 30 (especially "can i get it") and it's just an all round romp. "I love you **** " is an inoffensive generic best friend anthem that i can enjoy but will most likely skip in the future but "break up twice " is a show stopper! Lauryn Hills Doo Wop (one thing) is interpolated to fantastic results… Expand
  25. santibr
    Jul 18, 2022
    10
    Best album from Lizzo. Extremely well crafted, cohesive, and setting a new bar in her career. A ground-breaking force & emotional booster that can turn around any bad day.
  26. camcam47b
    Jul 17, 2022
    9
    In Lizzo's sophomore record, she manages to expand her sound while maintaining the original attractive qualities of her music. Special goes into more depth than her classic "I'm a bad **** and love myself" message. Though this message is still there, it doesn't take up the entire album and it delivers it better than before. The record has some very superficial tracks that still manage toIn Lizzo's sophomore record, she manages to expand her sound while maintaining the original attractive qualities of her music. Special goes into more depth than her classic "I'm a bad **** and love myself" message. Though this message is still there, it doesn't take up the entire album and it delivers it better than before. The record has some very superficial tracks that still manage to draw you in with its catchy tunes and well-done production. This can be seen in songs like about damn time and birthday girl. The album particularly shines in the deep cuts such as naked and if you love me. Special is a drastic improvement for Lizzo and is a very promising project with few flaws to pick out.… Expand
  27. MrDaustar
    Jul 17, 2022
    10
    It's very good album! Lizzo has a beautiful voice!
    2 Be Loved, About damn time are really hits!!!
  28. leradegay
    Jul 17, 2022
    10
    The album is awesome. It is from this album that the pop music of 2022 has returned. Yes, there are a bit similar tracks, but this album is just for fun, relaxing with a beer.
  29. puremelopower
    Jul 16, 2022
    10
    love the new album, its so positive!

    the kind of music that makes you want to get up and dance.
  30. bussylikecola
    Jul 16, 2022
    5
    I've been a huge fan of Lizzo's previous album and I am extremely disappointed with this album. The production was fun but the lyrics were horrible. Since this is a pop album, I didn't expect them to be outstanding; the problem was that they were bad even for a pop album. The titles are awful, remind me of t shirt slogans. She should have kept the sound of rumors. Also I cannot ignore howI've been a huge fan of Lizzo's previous album and I am extremely disappointed with this album. The production was fun but the lyrics were horrible. Since this is a pop album, I didn't expect them to be outstanding; the problem was that they were bad even for a pop album. The titles are awful, remind me of t shirt slogans. She should have kept the sound of rumors. Also I cannot ignore how this album is extremely short, like a lot of newer pop albums . Most of the tracks were underwhelming and just plain boring. I'm looking forward to a better one in the future.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 25, 2022
    80
    Far from a rehash of Cuz I Love You, Special finds Lizzo revealing new layers to the genuine songwriting and generous spirit that has defined her music since the beginning.
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  2. The Observer (UK)
    Jul 25, 2022
    80
    Musically, Special’s a bit of a retread. Lead single About Damn Time, with its Saturday-night, last-song-before-we-leave-the-house vibe, bounces on a similar podium to 2019’s Juice, and the title track boasts imperious orchestration, just as it did on Cuz I Love You. But it works.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Jul 21, 2022
    64
    In its effort to reach the masses, Special has the unfortunate fault of both trying too hard to hit the zeitgeist—like the nonsensical Tesla metaphor on opener “The Sign”—and striving for pure blahtitude. ... In fact, when it comes to happiness, some of the most satisfying songs on Special—the ones that come closest to finding inner peace—are also the most subdued.
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