Walls
by Kings of Leon
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 14, 2016
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
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  1. Slant Magazine
    Oct 12, 2016
    30
    Even by the standards of the arena-pop hit-chasers they've become, and not the down-and-dirty guitar band they once were, WALLS is a grating, overly slick disappointment.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Discussed Album of 2016
61
#61 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 95
  3. Negative: 18 out of 95
  1. hwedel
    Oct 14, 2016
    8
    While not a complete reinvention of their style, WALLS finds a much more consistent and focused Kings of Leon than we have seen before, theWhile not a complete reinvention of their style, WALLS finds a much more consistent and focused Kings of Leon than we have seen before, the result of which is their most mature album yet.

    In recruiting producer Markus Dravs, the album finds a much glossier production than we are accustomed to seeing from the Kings. This extra layer of sound both enhances and detracts from the band, certain to ruffle the feathers of some loyal listeners, but where Dravs has really succeed is in pushing the band to find the heart of every song. Each song has its own purpose, its own sound, something that is even more impressive when you notice the surprising amount of cohesion in the album. WALLS flows from beginning to end, hitting its high peaks and emotional valleys with a sense of ease. While their past two efforts have seen the band on autopilot, here we find them climbing into the driver's seat and taking us for a journey.

    WALLS isn't going to change the face of music or galvanize its listeners like earlier efforts from the Kings, but if this is the first step in a new era for the band, as they claim it is, then we can expect great things to come.    … Full Review »
  2. Clysman
    Oct 14, 2016
    10
    Após três anos se passarem desde Mechanical Bull, os agora adultos de Nashville estão mais que prontos para retornar com o peito inflado eApós três anos se passarem desde Mechanical Bull, os agora adultos de Nashville estão mais que prontos para retornar com o peito inflado e cantar sobre o amor. Em se tratando de gênero e estilo adotado na obra, WALLS se parece muito com a jovialidade apresentada no álbum de 2013, que somente o amor pode proporcionar, mas ao mesmo tempo se distancia por ter uma temática bem distinta. WALLS não é um álbum tradicional de rock, e nem foi feito pra ser dessa forma, tampouco não é um álbum que irá permanecer na mídia por longos tempos, WALLS é simplesmente um álbum para ser escutado em horas mais oportunas. Algumas melodias soam velhas e ao mesmo tempo atuais, essa contradição gerada e estabelecida pelo álbum é a parte que muito impressiona no conjunto.… Full Review »
  3. k0bain
    Oct 17, 2016
    0
    I once used to love this band, and also bought every album from the very beginning, but... since the release of Come around sundown, theyI once used to love this band, and also bought every album from the very beginning, but... since the release of Come around sundown, they changed the way of their sound and the way they perform as a band, I couldn't get used to it at first. While come around sundown was at least ok, since there were only 4 or 5 good songs on it, their upcoming album "mechanical bull" was a waste of money and time. And WALLS sounds like a **** B-Side of Mechanical bull. Almost the same synths, just boring songs, overproduced and without any memorable message or refrain or anything else. That's sad... not a single band I used to hear for decades has **** up that much in 2016 as KoL did with this one. Not even Biffy Clyro, and their last "masterpiece" is also as boring as not memorable.
    Just buy this, if you are a hardcore fan. For me the greatest disappointment in 2016 so far. :(    … Full Review »
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