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The Life Of Pablo
by
The Life Of Pablo Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2238 Ratings

  • Summary: After several album name changes (So Help Me God, SWISH, Waves, and T.L.O.P.), the seventh studio release for the rapper finally was set with guest appearances from Vic Mensa, Post Malone, Sia and Ty Dolla $ign.
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Top Track

Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1
You're the only power You're the only power that can You're the only power You're the only power that can, ohhhh Ohhhh, ohhhh, ohhhh, ohhhh If young... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. NOW Magazine
    Feb 16, 2016
    100
    Even when West’s going in uncomfortable directions, his music feels alive.
  2. Pitchfork
    Feb 15, 2016
    90
    A madcap sense of humor animates all his best work, and The Life of Pablo has a freewheeling energy that is infectious and unique to his discography. Somehow, it comes off as both his most labored-over and unfinished album, full of asterisks and corrections and footnotes.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 17, 2016
    84
    It’s this unholy amalgam of anger and swagger and self-loathing and--above all--love, all served over some of the best production work the man has ever done.
  4. The New York Times
    Feb 14, 2016
    80
    [He] has perfected the art of aesthetic and intellectual bricolage, shape-shifting in real time and counting on listeners to keep up. More than on any of his previous albums, "Pablo" reflects that rambling, fearsome energy. This is Tumblr-as-album, the piecing together of divergent fragments to make a cohesive whole.
  5. AllMusic
    Feb 18, 2016
    70
    The other way to look at the erratic Pablo is as an "instant" LP, one that was mastered at the last minute and debuted via streaming. On that count, it's a fascinating, magazine-like experience with plenty of reasons to give it a free play, and with "Feedback" adding "name one genius that ain't crazy" to the mix, Pablo excuses itself from the usual criticisms, although it could have been tighter.
  6. Q Magazine
    Mar 16, 2016
    60
    Despite the embarrassment of riches, though, there's also a lot of plain old embarrassment. [May 2016, p.110]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Chicago Tribune
    Feb 15, 2016
    50
    Sounds like a work in progress rather than a finished album.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 327 out of 419
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 419
  3. Negative: 47 out of 419
  1. petepabz
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Kanye, you did it again fam! Shine them ultra light beams on the haters! Can't wait to hear some of these tunes bang out at the club. And theKanye, you did it again fam! Shine them ultra light beams on the haters! Can't wait to hear some of these tunes bang out at the club. And the guardian should give its head a shake for that review. embarrassing… Expand
  2. mc_ryn
    Feb 14, 2016
    10
    PROUD OF MY BOY KANYE.

    Best discography all time my friends. The instrumentation is pleasing to the now, and the past. Kanye =    PROUD OF MY BOY KANYE.

    Best discography all time my friends.

    The instrumentation is pleasing to the now, and the past.

    Kanye = Genius..............    … Expand
  4. luizfelipeluiz
    Feb 12, 2016
    10
    Best album of his since 2010s Twisted Fantasy. The chase for new sounds, experiments new borders to cross as producer and rapper. It's a gem.Best album of his since 2010s Twisted Fantasy. The chase for new sounds, experiments new borders to cross as producer and rapper. It's a gem. The collabs are crazy.… Expand
  5. Bigpapi
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    This is easily a candidate for album of the year already. Kanye West continues to change the game by putting out projects that are all uniqueThis is easily a candidate for album of the year already. Kanye West continues to change the game by putting out projects that are all unique to one another and not the same music every album he releases like most of the rappers nowadays. Even though this album isn't quite as good as his best album, MBDTF, it still lives up to the hype it created and more. His rhymes, production, and lines are all on point and there are little to no weak points on the album. If you are a fan of hip-hop or music in general, you ned to listen to this masterpiece, it will go down as one of the albums that changed the rap game forever.… Expand
  6. rafaelss
    Feb 17, 2016
    8
    Its amazing how Kanye can creates a flows in his music that envolves you from the beggining to the end of the album. He tells in a mesmerizingIts amazing how Kanye can creates a flows in his music that envolves you from the beggining to the end of the album. He tells in a mesmerizing way his scathing and bruising message. The sound is pure and simple. No exaggerations. Although he uses a lot of samples and participations, it is just enough to enrich his songs. An interessant experimental work, without border the smug. It's just pure good music.… Expand
  7. NETMUSIC
    Jun 16, 2017
    7
    his best album yet and most raw and intelligent. However a few slips in production may have made this album just a little better

    Best    his best album yet and most raw and intelligent. However a few slips in production may have made this album just a little better

    Best Song(s):
    Waves
    FML
    Wolves
    Famous
    Ultralight Beam

    Worst Song(s):
    Saint Pablo    … Expand
  8. SimplyTrifec
    Jan 22, 2020
    0
    So bad. Please god make it stop. My ears are bleeding. please help please wow.

See all 419 User Reviews

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4
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