The Impossible Kid
by Aesop Rock
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. RapReviews.com
    May 10, 2016
    100
    While Aesop Rock may not be every hip-hop fan's cup of tea, you must respect the man's grind. All-in-all The Impossible Kidis like (yet unlike) any Aesop Rock release: Ill underground beats and a lyrical prowess that yields rewards with each willing listen.
  2. Magnet
    Jun 1, 2016
    90
    From blunted bedroom nights with a drum machine to two decades down the line releasing one of the finest true hip-hop offerings since Moment Of Truth. Always listen to the Weathermen. [No. 131, p.53]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    May 3, 2016
    83
    Whereas Rock’s last solo album, Skelethon, showcases his unparalleled knack for abstract imagery and reflection, The Impossible Kid combines hallucinatory wordplay with disarmingly forthright autobiography--a combination that enhances the impact of each mode.
  5. Consequence
    May 3, 2016
    83
    Despite the similar aesthetic to what’s come before, mundanity refuses to set in. This is another great Aesop Rock album to add to the pile--another TKO to further solidify his underground king status.
  6. Pitchfork
    May 4, 2016
    82
    He is as detail-oriented with his beats as he is with his raps, providing the right mood at every occasion. Some of them are busy and swarming, while others are pleasantly simple.
  7. AllMusic
    Jul 7, 2016
    80
    Lyrical prowess is never in doubt, and neither is the idea that the MC is an acquired taste, but this wordy, extroverted, and capricious effort is an alive whirlwind with more pride than usual. That last bit makes it one of the most persuasive Aesop efforts to date.
  8. PopMatters
    May 3, 2016
    80
    What’s amazing is that someone who has long been one of the finest and most difficult lyricists in hip-hop has now hit a high-water mark as not just a lyricist, but also as a songwriter and producer. The tones, beats, hooks, and endless variations and rhyming patterns are all here, and they come off as just as volatile and, perhaps, even more immediate than anything Aesop Rock has made to date.
  9. Clash Music
    May 3, 2016
    80
    Ultimately The Impossible Kid is an album that will reinforce whatever preconceptions about Aesop Rock you already hold. However, it’s also worth noting that this is most probably the least cryptic and most honest of all his records.
  10. Exclaim
    May 3, 2016
    80
    For years, Aesop Rock has been beloved for his ambitious, loquacious lyricism, but on The Impossible Kid, he's reached new artistic heights by using that elaborate wordplay to offer us a simple yet powerful glimpse at his scarred psyche.
  11. HipHopDX
    May 10, 2016
    72
    The end result is his most introspective material since “Daylight.” Dedicated fans will appreciate it for its familiarity, which ironically, might also be their deterrent from it.
  12. Spin
    May 4, 2016
    50
    Almost every track on The Impossible Kid is indistinguishable from the next, blending together in a way that converts the man’s talent into his fatal flaw, due in part to the forgettable beats.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 74
  3. Negative: 2 out of 74
  1. Distinguished-P
    May 6, 2016
    8
    Once again, Aesop Rock has come through with a lyrically dense album. Both the lyrics and beats were produced solely by Aesop, half the albumOnce again, Aesop Rock has come through with a lyrically dense album. Both the lyrics and beats were produced solely by Aesop, half the album was make while he spent time in a remote location at a barn, the other half in a more urban environment.… Full Review »
  2. AlexDionisio1
    May 5, 2016
    6
    Once again, Aesop Rock has thrown all his stuff at the wall in hopes that something sticks. What he has always done with words including whatOnce again, Aesop Rock has thrown all his stuff at the wall in hopes that something sticks. What he has always done with words including what he does here is good, but maybe instead of being incredibly lyrical he should try being just lyrical except with more straightforward, plainspoken messages. The Impossible Kid is certainly a respectable effort, but besides its notes on getting older, not much has changed with how Aesop operates.… Full Review »
  3. TimW001
    May 3, 2016
    7
    This is very classic Aesop Rock. He did very well on the lyrics with songs ranging in themes from badgers getting in the trash, to rejectingThis is very classic Aesop Rock. He did very well on the lyrics with songs ranging in themes from badgers getting in the trash, to rejecting popularity, to feeling old. Some songs are fantastic and energetic, some are deep and slower. This is a great album to start with Aesop Rock if you have not heard of him before.

    You will like this album a lot if you had previously liked Aesop Rock, if you did not like Skelethon or None Shall Pass this album will not change your mind. It is not as ground breaking or shocking as his previous work. A lot of it feels and sounds similar to past projects. Some songs feel very forgettable. I liked Skelethon & None Shall Pass more in terms of beats, lyrics and music overall. But The Impossible Kid is a must have for your hip hop collection.    … Full Review »
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