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When You See Yourself Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length release since 2016's Walls for the Southern rock band was produced by Markus Dravs.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Mojo
    Mar 2, 2021
    80
    It seems that self-examination has taken them to bold, new places. [Apr 2021, p.80]
  2. We’re unlikely to be totally rid of guitars on a Kings Of Leon album any time soon, but there are more daring rhythms and more sophisticated production here.
  3. Mar 9, 2021
    80
    When You See Yourself is a welcoming return to form for Kings of Leon. It’s a nostalgia sucker punch for those in the right time, in the right place. It's an album that their fanbase will revel in.
  4. Uncut
    Mar 2, 2021
    70
    Feels like the first step in a viable third chapter for a band that has rediscovered its identity. [Apr 2021, p.30]
  5. Mar 5, 2021
    64
    As they’ve grown bigger, their songs have become increasingly interchangeable, and while that’s made for a certain measure of consistency, it’s anything but exciting.
  6. 60
    It’s pleasantly – if forgettably – soporific. The sort of family motorway album that tired parents can hum along to without waking the kids in the back.
  7. 40
    There’s nothing inherently bad about When You See Yourself, but it feels like you could merge it with any releases from their last decade of activity and construct an album that has some heart to it.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. Mar 6, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A long awaited shift on lyric and music composition. This record shows they finally embraced being adults. Expand
  2. Mar 5, 2021
    10
    It’s a beautiful album which shows the maturity of their sound and how they’ve gained confidence in themselves to try new things. You won’tIt’s a beautiful album which shows the maturity of their sound and how they’ve gained confidence in themselves to try new things. You won’t lose the guitars but find a true masterpiece. Expand
  3. Oct 18, 2021
    10
    A great return to form for KOL. Much improved on Walls.

    top tracks - When you see yourself, stormy weather ,golden restless age and the Bandit.
  4. Mar 11, 2021
    8
    é top, uma primazia.......
    ouçam no repeating Time in Disguise ..... nmmnnnbm...
  5. Mar 12, 2021
    8
    Surprisingly solid record. Best since their debut for sure. Fav track "Wave".
  6. Jun 2, 2022
    7
    Kings of Leon is probably my all time favorite band, so just understand that as I write my review. I’ll try to be as unbiased as possible. IKings of Leon is probably my all time favorite band, so just understand that as I write my review. I’ll try to be as unbiased as possible. I bought the vinyl Day 1 and have listened to this thing a thousand times.
    This is is certainly “different” when compared to other KOL records. It’s more mellow and Caleb’s voice takes a backseat to everything else. Which is odd, because his voice is the band’s greatest strength. That’s one qualm I have with the entire thing.

    Stormy Weather is strong, with Jared’s bass taking center stage. It’s a really groovy and upbeat track.

    Golden Restless Age may be my favorite track of all, but the chorus is way better than the verses, lyrically. It’s a beautiful track with great vocals.

    Time in Disguise is another favorite of mine. It sounds grand and comes through strong in every way.

    Claire and Eddie is just boring to me, lacking anything of substance.

    The same goes for Supermarket. It just kind of treads along. Although the bass is solid.

    WYSY, the title track, is okay. It falls somewhere in the middle.

    A Wave is really cool, one of the best on the album. It’s exciting and all of the instruments shine.

    100,000 People may be too slow and laggy for some, even repetitive. But I actually find it to be the best on the album when it comes to lyrics.

    Echoing is classic KOL, bringing back memories of their first two records.

    The Bandit has the charisma to be the lead single, with more energy than the other tracks. It has a cool vibe.

    Fairytale is super underrated in my opinion. It’s slow but very reflective and somber. I find it to be deep and every enjoyable.

    This is such an interesting album from KOL. It’s not their best, but it shows they are still relevant today and continue to do great work. But they could be even greater. Personally, I think they need to move on from Dravs as producer. Mechanical Bill was the last album with their old producer and that album was way better than Walls or WYSY. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.
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  7. Mar 9, 2021
    0
    Kings of Leon are one of the most overrated bands in the world.
    Terrible album, same as all their work.

See all 25 User Reviews