Ye
by Kanye West
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1222 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 889 out of 1222
  2. Mixed: 142 out of 1222
  3. Negative: 191 out of 1222

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  1. Cadenn
    Jun 2, 2018
    6
    One of West's most personal albums since 2008s 808s and heartbreaks or my dark beautiful twisted fantasy. Opening with a half spoken word piece that is a rambling about West's dark thoughts not a new topic for him but it's handled differently in a sincere but morbid way. "I thought about killing you" is a amazing opening track but falls short in delivery in the actual songs verses withOne of West's most personal albums since 2008s 808s and heartbreaks or my dark beautiful twisted fantasy. Opening with a half spoken word piece that is a rambling about West's dark thoughts not a new topic for him but it's handled differently in a sincere but morbid way. "I thought about killing you" is a amazing opening track but falls short in delivery in the actual songs verses with long winded and lackluster bars, which is sadly a problem for most of the actual rapping done by west on this album. Thankfully this album takes ideas from 2016s "Ultralight Beam" and is much more focused on production guest spots and that while sonically pleasing makes this a bit disappointing to fans of Wests rapping skills there is some bars on this album that are unbelievably pleasing such as the half sung half rapped verses of "ghost town" that is reminiscent of bound 2 production wise or "violent crimes" sincere verses about West being worried about his daughter. This album is a mixed bag that truly has amazing moments but the lackluster rapping truly hinders this album I would've liked them to be cut and just be sung for most of this album. I truly think this album had amazing potentially I hope this album is remixed and mastered again like the life of Pablo however in it's current state songs like "yikes" and "all mine" have awful verses with no delivery and it dosent have the charisma or bravado of West's previous works.… Expand
  2. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    6
    Kanye's worst solo project as far as I'm concerned. It just seems to cobbled together, half-baked and has one too many cringey lines. Still, Kanye has some genius production (Ghost Town) with eclectic samples and addictive beats, but it definitely is his least important and memorable solo project to this point.
  3. musikman91307
    Jun 2, 2018
    4
    Too short overall, mediocre & uninspired productions, repetitive, etc. Nowhere near his previous works.
  4. thedaywalker
    Jun 6, 2018
    6
    Kanye West had something to say here, but i don't think he said it well and loud enough for everybody to listen. He got really personal and it's nice to hear someone like Kanye show a different layer of himself

    The beat selection again, doesn't disappoint, they are fresh listens and something different from what you usually listen in hip hop. His delivery sometimes fails to hit the    Kanye West had something to say here, but i don't think he said it well and loud enough for everybody to listen. He got really personal and it's nice to hear someone like Kanye show a different layer of himself

    The beat selection again, doesn't disappoint, they are fresh listens and something different from what you usually listen in hip hop.

    His delivery sometimes fails to hit the mark, but his rhymes are always on point. This album should be taken time to listen to, at first listen i probably would have given this a 5, but i found my second listen experience a bit better.

    The features are the worst part of this album, very weak listens by everyone, Jeremiah completely disappoints with every word that comes out of his mouth.

    Yikes, Violent Crimes and Ghost Town are my highlights on this, they are great tracks that i'll listen to very often, the problem with this album is... the other tracks are a bit forgettable and i won't miss them on my playlist

    It's a good listen, but it needs more than one listen to be appreciated    … Expand
  5. judahjsn
    Jun 4, 2018
    6
    Kanye is not a good hang anymore. Back in the day when he was controversial for being arrogant, I never minded it. I liked that he didn't play to the narrative. But now he seems fake deep. Dope production on this though.
  6. aduneye
    Jul 15, 2018
    5
    This album could be great, and does have many great moments within it's songs. The individual components that make up "Ye" are very moving and inspirational in and of themselves, yet they are quickly ruined by some boneheaded lyric about Kanye's celebrity or some ignorant commentary about current events. Most of the time, it's Kanye that gets in the way of his own greatness.

    And while I    This album could be great, and does have many great moments within it's songs. The individual components that make up "Ye" are very moving and inspirational in and of themselves, yet they are quickly ruined by some boneheaded lyric about Kanye's celebrity or some ignorant commentary about current events. Most of the time, it's Kanye that gets in the way of his own greatness.

    And while I do applaud the candidness about his mental illness, It almost feels like it is used as an excuse for Kanye's erratic and offensive behavior than a true discussion or expression of his psyche. In the end, it is crowded out by so much nonsense that it fails to actually make an impact and lift the album to level that it aspires to be at.

    "Ye" is evidence that the Kanye West we've known and loved is no more and all we are left with is a shallow diva that seems blissfully unaware of how much of a fool he is making himself out to be.    … Expand
  7. gabrielcipriano
    Dec 21, 2018
    6
    "Ye" tries to be minimalist, but sometimes it's simplistic. I understand the idea of ​​Kanye, he makes nice and smooth letters and like no one else. The album has no beginning and end, I feel lost listening. We have to wait much longer.
  8. chocstraw
    Jul 11, 2018
    5
    Huge and longtime Kanye fan, first big letdown. I was worried that this album would face critical rejection because of Kanye's recent political outbursts, but it has failed on account of lack of merits.

    7 songs, 24 minutes is a long EP, not an album, and I won't support this reactionary counter to bloated and long hiphop albums. 10 songs / 36 minutes is what this could and should have    Huge and longtime Kanye fan, first big letdown. I was worried that this album would face critical rejection because of Kanye's recent political outbursts, but it has failed on account of lack of merits.

    7 songs, 24 minutes is a long EP, not an album, and I won't support this reactionary counter to bloated and long hiphop albums. 10 songs / 36 minutes is what this could and should have been.

    Initial reaction of disappointment, and the album has not grown on me, I would describe my feelings as secondhand embarrassment at times.

    While prior albums have been met with immediate excitement and hype, I found myself wanting the song to end, as I was holding out hope for the album and wanting the next song to be better. I finished the album without thinking this happened.

    TLOP and Graduation had immediate hype for me, which eventually faded into doubt, then grew on me again. I am not experiencing this phenomenon, feels like a slog.    … Expand
  9. Yanstarr
    Jun 5, 2019
    5
    This album is my least favorite from Kanye's discography. This album felt rushed and unfinished. Not his best.
  10. Gexis
    Jul 15, 2018
    6
    "Ye" is Kanye West's eighth studio album and his shortest by far, with only 7 tracks and about a 23-minute run time. On this album, Kanye speaks about topics such as mental health, drug addiction and the fears of being a father. Yet while he might be talking about serious issues, I feel like he barely scratches the surface. For example on the first track, 'I Thought About Killing You'"Ye" is Kanye West's eighth studio album and his shortest by far, with only 7 tracks and about a 23-minute run time. On this album, Kanye speaks about topics such as mental health, drug addiction and the fears of being a father. Yet while he might be talking about serious issues, I feel like he barely scratches the surface. For example on the first track, 'I Thought About Killing You' Kanye starts the song with a dark yet hilarious word passage that I thought opened the album up nicely. However, it's then followed up with a clustered verse where none of that dark-humor is present.

    The track 'Yikes' Kanye talks about the prescription drug addiction he had and is stating it was 'frightening' and how he scares himself sometimes. The content of this song is good, but sonically it sounds the same as the stuff he was doing on “The Life Of Pablo” which I wasn't a fan of.
    'All Mine' is probably the worst song on the album with its terrible chorus and its ridiculous lyrics.
    'Wouldn't Leave' was another track where I thought he barely scratched the surface of anything serious. He brings up the issues we want him to talk about, but that's it, he doesn't expand on them whatsoever.
    Kanye also sounded like he was reflecting all the mistakes he's done and seems to be brushing them off like “Oh, well Kim didn't leave me so I cant be in the wrong.”
    'Ghost Town' is by far my favorite track on the album. Kid Cudi and 070 Shake did such great jobs with their features, Kanye himself sounds really good as well. This song was grand, detailed and everything you would expect from a Kanye West made song and was a major stand out on the album.
    'Violent Crimes' is the last track. Where he talks about being a dad and the worries he has with his daughters growing up. All around great song.

    While I think this is one of Kanye's most personal albums, I don't think he wasn't able to expand on these topics well enough for me to feel anything. Saying that the sound of these songs were not bad at all and I will be revisiting tracks like No Mistakes, Ghost Town, and Violent Crimes.    … Expand
  11. morpheus_7081
    Jun 4, 2018
    6
    I've been a big fan of Kanye for a long time and was anxiously waiting for this album especially since Pusha T's album was so good. I was disappointed. This isn't a bad album, per se. It just seems to me that it was rushed and not enough focus was put into it. "Yikes" is the only song that I genuinely enjoyed. I wish Kanye took his time with this album. It could've been something so muchI've been a big fan of Kanye for a long time and was anxiously waiting for this album especially since Pusha T's album was so good. I was disappointed. This isn't a bad album, per se. It just seems to me that it was rushed and not enough focus was put into it. "Yikes" is the only song that I genuinely enjoyed. I wish Kanye took his time with this album. It could've been something so much more. Fingers crossed Kid Cudi and Nas' albums don't disappoint.… Expand
  12. huri
    Jun 25, 2018
    6
    Much better than life of pablo and yeezus, but that still doesn't mean much. Kanye is glorified too much, and he's not a genius. He's creative and he often makes good songs, but more than half of his songs are based on sampling and aren't as a original as people think.
  13. ablaque
    Jun 4, 2018
    5
    Weirdly uninteresting for Kanye. On every album up to this point, Kanye has mined some new musical idea or reinvented himself in some way. These songs sound like they could have been outtakes from any of his previous records. There are strong moments, but Kanye's whole "I'm just so crazy" schtick is getting old, and his need to find new ways to provoke is bordering on self-parody. KanyeWeirdly uninteresting for Kanye. On every album up to this point, Kanye has mined some new musical idea or reinvented himself in some way. These songs sound like they could have been outtakes from any of his previous records. There are strong moments, but Kanye's whole "I'm just so crazy" schtick is getting old, and his need to find new ways to provoke is bordering on self-parody. Kanye didn't have to do a bangers record, but the second half of this thing is almost "ballad heavy". I suspect that aspects of this record were thrown together. Kanye's line about his "slavery was a choice" statement indicate that he recorded at least some of his vocals within the past couple of weeks. Also, "Ghost Town" might be the most awful, obnoxious track in Kanye's career. Cudi sounds like he's doing a Chad Kroeger impression. Just bad.

    I liked Yeezus right away. Same with TLoP. Both records grew on me even more as time went on. "Ye" just feels so light, I don't think there's enough creative material to keep me coming back.    … Expand
  14. sopesoap
    Jun 9, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the first two tracks are excellent, the highlight of the album is the first song(the beat drop before the switch, is insane). But I will focus on the rest of the album which is very underwhelming, at times boring and flat. Besides the first two songs, the album does not have any of the compelling compositions that created obscure nuances which made him such an artistic genius. 'wouldn't leave', 'all mine', and 'violent crimes' are especially bad. A very mediocre album, which is unexpected from whom this reviewer considers to be the most magnificent artist of all time not just a generation. hugely disappointing album if you are more than a casual fan of his.… Expand
  15. nora177
    Jun 3, 2018
    6
    Good but not amazing. The beats are somewhat catchy but quite basic, not bad though, I just wish he spent more time with it. And i have to say i wish there was more rapping and a bit less talking although i do appreciate what Kanye is trying to tell us. This album is somehwat more focused than his previous album but not by far. I guess i had my hopes up too high. Not bad, i could deff seeGood but not amazing. The beats are somewhat catchy but quite basic, not bad though, I just wish he spent more time with it. And i have to say i wish there was more rapping and a bit less talking although i do appreciate what Kanye is trying to tell us. This album is somehwat more focused than his previous album but not by far. I guess i had my hopes up too high. Not bad, i could deff see myself listeing to a few of the songs on repeat.… Expand
  16. PatriceEyup
    Jun 4, 2018
    6
    First 3 songs are really good. The bravado that personified post 2011 Kanye. Last 4 songs are good lyrically and the production is decent but they're overall a little forgettable.
  17. Sitranine
    Jun 5, 2018
    5
    Though the tracks are sampled and produced fabulously; the bars have departed entirely from Ye's egoistic, lyrically complex style. It's unsubtle, disturbing, and feels like a minimal effort on Ye's part. This, not to mention the delusional social commentary, make for a disappointing experience especially if you're someone that dislikes that gospel-esque sing-songy beats.
  18. kiwigazer
    Jun 12, 2018
    5
    Kanye returns with much of the same production prowess he's become famous for over the course of his career on 'Ye.' The problem is, no amount of incredible sampling can save this album from the fact that it sounds incredibly half-assed. Sure, Kanye is known for his rough-around-the-edges artistry, a factor that works to his benefit on albums like 'The Life of Pablo.' The difference,Kanye returns with much of the same production prowess he's become famous for over the course of his career on 'Ye.' The problem is, no amount of incredible sampling can save this album from the fact that it sounds incredibly half-assed. Sure, Kanye is known for his rough-around-the-edges artistry, a factor that works to his benefit on albums like 'The Life of Pablo.' The difference, however, is that on albums like 'TLOP,' this roughness sounds like it stems from a thirst and ambition to create something great, a thirst that can never be quenched; on 'Ye,' it sounds like Kanye got cocky and imposed this one-month deadline on himself for the sole purpose of proving to his ego that he could create an album in such a short time span. It is an impressive feat indeed - but that alone does not make this album a good one. Lyrically, it's easily his weakest album - and it's not close. There are the typical Kanye-isms we all crave, but they are surrounded by lines and lines of cheesy, superficial lyrics that don't come close to the level we expect from the Kanye we all have come to know and love. While the production and sampling are incredible as per usual, the songs suffer from a blatant and painful brevity. On Kanye's first GOOD Music project of the summer - Pusha-T's 'Daytona' - for example, the songs were cohesive and nuanced enough that the album, just seven tracks in length, feels MUCH longer than its 21-minute run time, in a great way. 'Ye' feels like it's over in 15 minutes, and leaves the listener with much to be desired - not in the sense of wanting more, but more so wishing for a do-over. In the end, I can't help but feel that, just maybe, we've arrived at the point in Kanye's career where so much new ground has been tread that there simply is not much more left to tread. I hope to God I'm wrong - and if there's any one person who can prove it and come back from a place like that, it's Kanye. One thing is for certain, though - 'Ye' the first Kanye album we did not need. (5.2/10)… Expand
  19. Bishof
    Jun 14, 2018
    4
    Ye couldn’t impress me. Verses may be are actual, but I don’t like it. Music compilation and texts compilation are classical for Ye, I generally don’t fall in love with that
  20. Raaz
    Aug 12, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album has some great songs that feel really good. I listened to each song twice and spent time thinking about each one. I enjoyed listening to it overall but I am only gonna keep 3 out of the 7 on my music play-list.

    "I Thought About Killing You"
    The first half is not really music. He is just talking. Its kinda like poetry. When he starts rapping its not bad but I didn't care for it. He has a few nice lines but that's it. I just don't think its a song so its probably my least favorite in the album.

    "Yikes"
    Pretty good song. Lots of good lines. I personally don't care for it too much but I think its good overall. I could see others enjoying it.

    "All Mine"
    The best song in the album in my opinion. I like the beat and flow. Would recommend %100.

    "Wouldn't Leave"
    It's a song about Kanye's personal life. He is saying how he knew Kim wouldn't leave even though he has been controversial. The song itself isn't bad. I like it a bit less than "Yikes" because there are parts that ruin the flow.

    "No Mistakes"
    I don't like this one. I think he is talking about Kim again but there is no substance to it. My second least favorite song in the album.

    "Ghost Town"
    I think this is a good song. Its got a good flow. Not my favorite but its one of the good songs.

    "Violent Crimes"
    This is a really good song. Its my second favorite. It's Kanye talking about his kids and worrying about guys objectifying them. There is one part at the very end that ruins it. It's just talking and that sucks if its on a big play-list because it ruins the flow. The song is still really good.

    So in conclusion. I think the good stuff is: "Violent Crimes", "Ghost Town", and "All Mine"
    The rest didn't do anything for me.    … Expand
  21. deanjacobson_
    Sep 28, 2018
    5
    Mixed album; there wasn't enough content and some tracks were boring. Significant lack of vocals that could have shown off his power as a rapping artist. Some good tracks, but the majority is obsolete and doesn't flow well.
  22. Dubillot
    Jan 22, 2020
    4
    when you lost your inspiration...this album don’t represent the level Kanye had
  23. Chris182
    Apr 25, 2021
    6
    This album is pretty bland coming from someone as bold and in your face as Kanye West is. Some of these songs are good, i cant say that i will come back to this thing as a whole anytime soon. This was the first Kanye album that i heard in full and it was not the amazing experience i thought it would be.
    Best Songs: Yikes, Wouldn't Leave, Violent Crimes, No Mistakes
    Worst Songs: Ghost    This album is pretty bland coming from someone as bold and in your face as Kanye West is. Some of these songs are good, i cant say that i will come back to this thing as a whole anytime soon. This was the first Kanye album that i heard in full and it was not the amazing experience i thought it would be.
    Best Songs: Yikes, Wouldn't Leave, Violent Crimes, No Mistakes
    Worst Songs: Ghost Town, All Mine    … Expand
  24. sodovich
    Dec 25, 2021
    6
    A veeeery forgetable sticker on Kanye West's discography, "Ye" has some charm, but fails on being what it was supposed to. Not that bad though, just, meh.
  25. garfield7081
    Mar 25, 2022
    6
    this album could've been great, it just feels as if at least one thing went wrong with the creation of each song. "all mine" and "i thought about killing you" have incredible production, but "all mine" fails lyrically, and "i thought about killing you" turns a great sample into a painful soundscape of kanye taking about how **** bad he wants to kill himself.

    best song: ghost town    this album could've been great, it just feels as if at least one thing went wrong with the creation of each song. "all mine" and "i thought about killing you" have incredible production, but "all mine" fails lyrically, and "i thought about killing you" turns a great sample into a painful soundscape of kanye taking about how **** bad he wants to kill himself.

    best song: ghost town

    worst song: wouldn't leave    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2018
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. RapReviews.com
    Oct 8, 2018
    60
    ye is an average album with some good songs, some bad songs, and some songs that will clearly be spun millions of times. The problem is that "average" has never been good enough for Kanye West nor should it be.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Jul 26, 2018
    60
    For all his power as a motivating force it’s perhaps inevitable that Ye proves weakest of the first four. Left to his own devices West sounds bewildered, somewhere between awe and exhaustion. [Aug 2018, p.63]
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 15, 2018
    50
    Ye can feel uneven, sometimes boring, and more indulgent than usual, but it's a fascinating peek into West's psyche.
    Read full review
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