This Unruly Mess I've Made
by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
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  1. XXL
    Mar 4, 2016
    80
    The album isn’t necessarily a classic, or better than The Heist, but it does prove Macklemore is here to stay.
  2. AllMusic
    Feb 25, 2016
    80
    The bookends are tracks that aim to be masterworks and fall just one step short, but everything in between is delightful, stunning, or both, making the album's title less than one-tenth apt, and Macklemore & Lewis both emo under-promisers and Grammy-worthy over-deliverers.
  3. HipHopDX
    Mar 3, 2016
    76
    The title harbors on his crash-landed placement in the mainstream where he simply wants to co-exist while the music, albeit a times disjointed, makes up one of the most self-aware, socially conscious rap albums in recent memory, if not ever.
  5. RapReviews.com
    Mar 15, 2016
    75
    Despite some lyrical flaws here and there, it still shines.
  6. Spin
    Mar 3, 2016
    70
    Four years later, with This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, he’s dropped the album that Kanye haters wanted Kanye to make.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 26, 2016
    67
    While Macklemore wants to provoke thought, the album’s real strengths are its mindlessly amusing tracks.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2016
65
#65 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 153
  3. Negative: 34 out of 153
  1. wrognibene
    Feb 26, 2016
    7
    Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' sophomore album together falls short of the fun-factor from "The Heist," but still features plenty of brilliantlyMacklemore and Ryan Lewis' sophomore album together falls short of the fun-factor from "The Heist," but still features plenty of brilliantly scored pieces of poetic justice. Overall, Ryan Lewis shows once again that he can create music that adds to someone's words and not the other way around, and most of the time, Macklemore steps up to the plate.

    Unfortunately, this time around, they don't always hit the mark. The lyrics are more overtly political, and we lose a little of that subtlety that made songs like "Same Love" and "Thin Line" easy to listen to but heavy to think about. There are at least three songs that deal with Macklemore's struggle to understand his place in Hollywood and his frustration with fame and entertainment culture.

    That's not to say it's all as extremely self-aware as "White Privilege II" (an impressive, albeit long-winded piece). Last summer's hit "Downtown" remains just as fun as the first time we heard it, the hilarious "Let's Eat" is both satirical and catchy, and "Growing Up" is a powerfully introspective piece about being a young parent, with excellent backup vocals by Ed Sheeran.

    It won't have as many plays as "The Heist," but "This Unruly Mess I've Made" is definitely worth more than one listen.    … Full Review »
  2. tpab
    Feb 26, 2016
    3
    Is time to stop macklemore. People who say he is different are ignorant. His "white privilege" is nine minutes of torture and him trying to beIs time to stop macklemore. People who say he is different are ignorant. His "white privilege" is nine minutes of torture and him trying to be black. His song Downtown obviously was similar to uptown funk by mark ronson. He was a one or two-hit wonder and should have stayed that way.… Full Review »
  3. fidasek
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    TUMIM is missing some of the catchiness The Heist offered, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. This time, whole album is more seriousTUMIM is missing some of the catchiness The Heist offered, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. This time, whole album is more serious while it remains easy to listen with some parts that will stay in your mind for some time. It kinda reminds me of RAM from Daft Punk with the way TUMIM is built. It also has a lot of variety, features some old school, some modern, some pop-like songs and while some of the songs may seem redundant on their own, it adds that ridiculousness and corniness to whole LP that Macklemore is known for. So if you are looking for some damn funny songs with sweet tones and liked The Heist, you may not like TUMIM. It's not that album that makes you think "wow I like rap and hip hop" as The Heist, and I don't even think it was Macklemore's aim this time. TUMIM to me is an album that is done for his fans and is honest and comes directly from his heart.… Full Review »
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