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Jan 2, 2018In lesser hands, all this weight could feel leaden. But Miguel remains a craftsman, and leisure gets its due.
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UncutDec 21, 2017The gorgeous psychedelic soul of "Pineapple Skies," the Prince-like strut of "Told You" and the rubbery Latin funk of "Caramelo Duro" all reaffirm Miguel's status as the most versatile talent in R&B's avant-garde. [Feb 2018, p.30]
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Dec 21, 2017After 11 tracks of carefree sex jams, it’s good to hear the guy stretching himself into a different direction. That’s something Miguel has always done, sonically speaking. And he always sounds amazing doing it; that hasn’t changed on War & Leisure.
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Dec 20, 2017War & Leisure is an album with a generous helping of highlights, not least because of Miguel’s enviable vocal versatility and affinity for dramatic songcraft, an irresistible combo that sees him playing both hero and villain in his own fantasy.
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Dec 18, 2017For all the conflict imagery, War & Leisure is often brightly colored, even upbeat.
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Dec 18, 2017The record thrives because of this surface-level wokeness, Miguel continuing to occupy his own lane as a vital, progressive artist.
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Dec 13, 2017Like [Prince's 1981 album] Controversy’s title track handing off to “Sexuality” or many other examples, there are stylistic switches in War & Leisure too: the aforementioned “City of Angels” between the album’s two best grooves (“Told You So” and “Caramelo Duro”), but the switches don’t feel natural--they just feel like the “shuffle” was the chosen method of sequencing. Too much leisure, not enough war.
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Dec 8, 2017The shimmering War & Leisure, the singer’s fourth LP, finds him operating in a similarly creative groove [as on 2015's Wildheart] but tamping down wolfish eroticism in favor of breezier, tropical vibes.
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Dec 4, 2017Pineapple Skies is the most obvious soaraway, feelgood hit, but very little on War & Leisure falls flat.
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Dec 1, 2017Miguel wears War & Leisure’s looseness well, and even if he doesn’t reveal much of himself, he still has the charisma to pull the whole ensemble off.
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Dec 1, 2017Even if the commercial tea leaves don't come together in his favor, War & Leisure has shown that, artistically at least, Miguel is exactly where he needs to be.
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Dec 1, 2017Though he enthusiastically pushes the boundaries of his sound and image on his most eclectic album yet, Miguel also takes care to make each of its tracks insatiably catchy and breezily fun.
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Dec 1, 2017The second half of the album--a more compelling collection of singles--clarifies its darker themes while remaining upbeat.
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Dec 1, 2017On War & Leisure, he sounds unconflicted and ready to rumble. The freedom he promises his lovers in his music extends to himself, and he’s better than ever at just letting go.
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Nov 30, 2017War & Leisure lacks the obvious identity that has marked out Miguel’s previous three albums, but that’s no fault. By comparison, this is a compelling collection of poptastic R&B tracks made to soundtrack your night out.
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Nov 30, 2017The L.A. soul explorer's fourth album creates a space where psych-funk splendor coexists with deep anxiety.
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Nov 30, 2017Though he sometimes gives into funky ad-libbing instead of building solid vocal melodies, his voice, particularly when drowsily tossing out raps or soaring in its upper mid-range, is a beautiful instrument that always ties the groove together.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 52 out of 63
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Mixed: 7 out of 63
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Negative: 4 out of 63
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Aug 4, 2023
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Dec 17, 2018
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Jan 14, 2018