V
by Maroon 5
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. Billboard.com
    Sep 2, 2014
    86
    Levine's hummingbird vocals and passionate delivery are as earnest as they were on their 2002 debut Songs About Jane.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Sep 2, 2014
    80
    It's hard to care about any shortcomings when the tunes are as masterfully crisp as they are on much of V.
  3. AllMusic
    Sep 8, 2014
    70
    Sometimes, the group achieves a delicate balance between the two extremes--"It Was Always You," "New Love," and the aforementioned "Feelings"--but the best moments on V are when Maroon 5 embrace the tuneful, slightly soulful adult contemporary pop band they've always been.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Sep 2, 2014
    58
    Every song clocks right in that radio sweet spot between three and four minutes, and nearly all of them go down like candy, but collectively the final product is an album with all the surprise and individuality of a Now That’s What I Call Music compilation.
  6. The New York Times
    Sep 3, 2014
    50
    V is like a peppy new Nissan Altima: It won’t give you too many problems; it won’t attract stares; it probably won’t get stolen. Its parts are reliable, though none have the pulse of “Moves Like Jagger,” the 2011 hit that gave this group new life.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 3, 2014
    50
    Despite its pop pedigree, V's hooks are alarmingly unsticky.
  8. PopMatters
    Sep 3, 2014
    50
    As far as lightweight, easy-listening charts pop goes, V doesn’t totally offend the sensibilities, and that’s surely more than can be said about some of Maroon 5’s overly pandering, less exploratory “pop-rock” peers.
  9. Boston Globe
    Sep 2, 2014
    40
    Too often the trend-chasing sounds both tiring and tiresome; that weariness persists through the syrupy album-closing duet with Levine’s future “Voice” costar Gwen Stefani.
  10. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Sep 2, 2014
    40
    The hooks on the album are memorable mainly for the wrong reason; They’re so annoying, you won’t be able to scrub them from your mind.
  11. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 2, 2014
    40
    This fifth studio album is a gaudy chunk of over-produced electro-pop-rock.
  12. The Guardian
    Aug 29, 2014
    40
    There are enough hooks here to show how the LA band have shifted 17m albums, but also evidence as to why most people can't remember a Maroon 5 song two seconds after it finishes.
  13. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 5, 2014
    5
    Nearly every song on this record is misogynistic in some regard, from the obvious predatory ramblings of “Animals” to the Robin Thicke-level douchebaggery of “Feelings.”

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2014
68
#68 Most Shared Album of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 169
  3. Negative: 47 out of 169
  1. JBBotes
    Sep 2, 2014
    10
    Awesome album. if you like Maroon 5 you will love this album. They always come out with some new and fresh. The critics say it is not catchingAwesome album. if you like Maroon 5 you will love this album. They always come out with some new and fresh. The critics say it is not catching tunes, then why do the songs get stuck in my head? Just like Hands All Over, the more I listen to the album the more I like it. I like the retro feel of the album and the honest lyrics. Maroon 5 is just awesome.… Full Review »
  2. ListenClose
    Sep 2, 2014
    3
    This album is A Disappointment, and a Massive one at that. The Album is comparable to "Overexposed" Maroon 5's 4th Album, which offered veryThis album is A Disappointment, and a Massive one at that. The Album is comparable to "Overexposed" Maroon 5's 4th Album, which offered very little directions and the lyrics seemed shallow and played it safe rather than taking risks. "V" Maroon 5's 5th album basically repeats the characteristics of its predecessor, but does offer a few new directions. Nevertheless, It should be titled "Overexposed Part 2"

    Here's a list of Some Pros in the album:

    1.) THE ALBUM IS NOT AN ENTIRE BUST:
    While the producers and writers who worked on "Overexposed" Worked on "V" It may seem as if the Album would completely follow in the footsteps of "V"s predecessor. Most of it does, but some songs stand out. "Coming Back for you" would be the only thing close to the Old Maroon 5 sound, but that's about it and the Levine and Stefani duet "My Heart is Open" Is a perfectly balanced ballad that is sure to get you emotional.

    2.) BLEND OF A TOP 40 MAINSTREAM RADIO
    While Pop is on the ropes these days, Maroon 5 does have a tendency to create a pop song that can suit even the most hostile pop haters. While pop consists of Boops and bops, Maroon 5 can change the formula to Please fans of every pop sound or genre they're in.

    The Cons of the Album:

    1.) SHALLOW LYRICS:
    The lyrics sound like that they're above the "Safe Level" and more of a "Straight to the point" sound then rather have a "Deep, storytelling or situational" Meaning to/or behind the lyrics. "I like to think that we had it all / We drew a map to a better place / But on that road I took a fall / Oh baby why did you run away?" is not as impressive as "I was so high I did not recognize / The fire burning in her eyes / The chaos that controlled my mind / Whispered goodbye and she got on a plane / Never to return again / But always in my heart" "This Love" has more of a Darker, deep and situational feel to it while "Maps" has more of a straight love vibe to it, which consists of little to no effort.

    2.) TACKY PRODUCTION
    Most of the Tracks on "V' Have a Electronic pop to its sound, and not the good vibe as "It was Always You" "Sugar" sounds like a Katy Perry "Birthday" Ripoff, "Feelings" sounds like a cluttered mess and the hook sounds like something out of an 8-bit Nintendo game. Lastly, "S*X and candy" is slowed down into a creepy and slow song that will bore you to the point where you want to return the CD back to the store. The sound is completely maimed to a point where it's a tacky and over-danceable album.

    Summary: "V" Is inconsistent from top to bottom. While it sounds like a solid Pop album,the production renders it un-listeneable and makes you unsatisfied in the presence of its sound. Pass on the Album while you can.    … Full Review »
  3. donkeykong72
    Sep 2, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This is an overall better album than overexposed. Unkiss me, New love, Sugar and My heart is Open are very good songs. In your pocket , s*x and candy are rather forgettable songs, but that is about it. Overall a very good album.… Full Review »
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