UNLOCKED
by
UNLOCKED Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 96 Ratings

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  • Artist(s): Kenny Beats
  • Summary: The eight-track soundtrack to the short film of the same name is a collaboration between Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Exclaim
    Feb 13, 2020
    90
    The Denzel Curry x Kenny Beats team up is a master-class of hip hop — few artists in today's landscape have the talent and longevity to consistently deliver good music. Thankfully, Denzel Curry is one of those few.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 13, 2020
    90
    Denzel and Kenny have proven that they’re able to consistently put out E.P.s, singles and albums that are exciting in a way no other artists could be.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Feb 13, 2020
    82
    UNLOCKED's best features are its brevity and simplicity. Songs drop in, do what they need to and cycle to an end without melodrama.
  4. HipHopDX
    Feb 18, 2020
    80
    Kenny Beats’ production is a weapon as blunt and beautiful as Curry’s verses.
  5. The Wire
    Mar 11, 2020
    80
    Denzel’s flows are as hungry as ever, at times managing to channel the untamed spirit of DMX (see “Diet”) while Kenny’s production is the ideal mix of weighty drums and potent bass. It’s an energetic listen and one that can hopefully act as some sort of cure for Old Heads Syndrome – the belief that no one is making real hiphop anymore. [Apr 2020, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Clash Music
    Feb 18, 2020
    80
    This is a playful project, not afraid to dabble with creativity but also showcasing both Denzel’s lyrical ability and Kenny’s creative dexterity, both artists’ visions. It’s as if they created a glitch in the hip-hop matrix, and one that would be welcome again soon.
  7. AllMusic
    Feb 28, 2020
    70
    Although Unlocked concludes almost as soon as it starts, Curry and Kenny pack so much into this short release that repeat listens are a must and, indeed, a pleasure.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    soupier good sexy bastard, Kenny really dug deep for these beats, denzel snapped btw xoxoxoxoxo
  2. daytonatabooywr
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    almost as banging as madvillainy its just a banger such a banger frfr no cap
  4. GeorgeParris
    Nov 6, 2020
    9
    A perfect short album that never gives you no time to rest with bangers like Lay Up. It draws from boom bap hip hop but mixes it with KennyA perfect short album that never gives you no time to rest with bangers like Lay Up. It draws from boom bap hip hop but mixes it with Kenny and Denzels respective sounds to create a unique and original album… Expand
  5. smolheartbigpp
    Jul 31, 2020
    8
    Denzel Curry never disappoints me. Tight rapping, vibrant sound, and killer beats.
  6. paije_breaks
    Feb 20, 2020
    8
    Unlocked has a loud and colorful soundscape. Kenny Beats delivers a range of aggressive electronic-psychedelic beats to futuristic trap - allUnlocked has a loud and colorful soundscape. Kenny Beats delivers a range of aggressive electronic-psychedelic beats to futuristic trap - all under the filer of boom bad & 90 nostalgia. Denzel matches the same range; No two tracks had the same flow or cadence. He even hits the nostalgic tones- some serious DMX / Busta Rhymes & ODB energy here, especially on the songs Diet_ & Take_it_back

    Per the usual, delivers from extremely awkward lines:
    "Surfboard body ass boy with your fish t---
    “Make it rain on your B---- that how you water hoes”

    But at this point, it's pretty much on-brand for him - He has a talent of delivering corny lines with such diction and confidence - these awkward lines are often hidden under his aesthetic majority of the time.

    Overall, I think the colorful landscape brought by both Kenny Beats and Denzel Curry brings a light & fun performance, which absolutely aligns with the project’s intention.

    8/10

    Or you could just watch the review - https://youtu.be/8efQJdp0zTE    … Expand
  7. N0RMiE
    Mar 1, 2020
    7
    Score: 74
    Kenny Beats always finds a way to make any artist shine- just look at the sometimes unconventional artists he brings onto his    Score: 74
    Kenny Beats always finds a way to make any artist shine- just look at the sometimes unconventional artists he brings onto his YouTube Series "The Cave." If you are listening to the album for the first time, I'd suggest watching the short film version instead- same music, but with beautiful animations. I would not call this so much an album as it is just a damn good time packed into an easy-to-digest 18-minute snack. Unlike prepackaged snacks, this album can get stale by even the 3rd listen, but I still find myself catching new snippets thrown in by Kenny in the background of the beat every re-listen. Curry's flows are as raw as ever, and the beats surely reflect that. While some may argue that Denzel struggles to find a consistent voice on the album, I think it is a testament to his lyrical range and capabilities as an artist. I particularly like his DMX-style rap on "Diet_." Like a snack, this album has no filler and can get dragged down by a lack of substance that is patched over with his flavorful bars. I found myself still hungry for more at the end, but I think a little bit of that is a healthy feeling.    … Expand
  8. A_Normal_Bush
    Mar 10, 2020
    6
    Unlocked is a very enjoyable, fun album in the first listen, especially if you watch the short film/music video. After the first listen,Unlocked is a very enjoyable, fun album in the first listen, especially if you watch the short film/music video. After the first listen, though, more and more songs became less enjoyable, to the point that I at one point couldn't stand it.… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2020

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