ZUU
by Denzel Curry
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 132 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 149
  3. Negative: 5 out of 149
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  1. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  2. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    super good ILY Denzel and Kendrick is like really good but you're better xoxoxoxo
  3. daytonatabooywr
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    amazing banging just a banger fr fr no cap ma homies this is just amazing fr
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 6, 2022
    6
    ZUU is a celebration of the birthplace of Curry - Florida, specifically Carol City. As in his other projects all the tracks are full of energy and intense crispy deliveries that are totally unique. In addition, Denzel's beat selection is better than ever and helps to transport the listener to his hometown.
  5. proreview0
    Apr 19, 2021
    9
    one of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree. It isn't on the same level as Ta13oo, but still a good album. I enjoy more songs on the album than expected before the album dropped.
  6. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  7. chickensusu
    Feb 24, 2021
    9
    i want to have sex with this album 9/10
    i want to have sex with this album 9/10
    i want to have sex with this album 9/10
  8. JACK15q
    Mar 7, 2020
    8
    Good album, but its nothing compared too Taboo, but even with that its Denzel Curry this man can't have a bad album. Their are many bangers.
  9. Big_guy
    Feb 25, 2020
    7
    Easily Denzel Curry's best album yet with bangers like Ricky and Speedboat, the album itself seems very polished and it's clear that a lot of care was put into this album. While some of the beats can be basic at times though, but an overall very solid album.
  10. coopsjt998
    Jan 18, 2020
    8
    A short, yet hard hitting, and exceptionally produced/written record. Not as impressive as Curry's prior record "TA1300," due to limited material to unpack, but Curry's impressive lyricism and direction remains top notch. This record provides a short and intricate look into Curry's early life growing up. Melodic hooks, varied flows, and topical verses are highlights on this record. One ofA short, yet hard hitting, and exceptionally produced/written record. Not as impressive as Curry's prior record "TA1300," due to limited material to unpack, but Curry's impressive lyricism and direction remains top notch. This record provides a short and intricate look into Curry's early life growing up. Melodic hooks, varied flows, and topical verses are highlights on this record. One of the best releases of 2019.… Expand
  11. seancoz
    Oct 23, 2019
    8
    While I still loved and enjoyed this album, it was a project, sound and style that really threw me off on my first few listens, but grew on me, quite a lot, as time and my listening continued. I was going into this project expecting a sound like the 'Mixtape Denzel Curry' I fell in love with listening to, and still do absolutely love. This is a sound, and atmosphere, that is totally newWhile I still loved and enjoyed this album, it was a project, sound and style that really threw me off on my first few listens, but grew on me, quite a lot, as time and my listening continued. I was going into this project expecting a sound like the 'Mixtape Denzel Curry' I fell in love with listening to, and still do absolutely love. This is a sound, and atmosphere, that is totally new and different for Denzel. Not only are the lyrics, stories and references back to his home city of Miami, Florida, very admirable, but also sonically, Denzel reached into another new direction and sound for this project. This total Miami sound and vibe he attacks for the first time is great for Denzel and honestly sounds fantastic. Tracks like 'P.A.T,' are a callback and a step forward for the loud, noisy and blaring sound that Denzel has perfected, and showed off that he's great at creating throughout his career, and it's very awe-inspiring to hear Denzel pushing this sound forward, once again. Also finally, 'P.A.T' is a fantastic closing track for this project, (like every one of Curry's closing tracks on his projects) and this makes me believe the man could do no wrong, and a very damn great job as a lead singer in a Rock or Metal band (please go through with that Denzel, I can only wish for that as of now), and over the years his' tracks like P.A.T, Narcotics and his' Bulls on Parade cover (and technically a song remix, with him including Verse 3 from his song 'SIRENS | Z1RENZ,' toward the conclusion of the song) are all great examples of how great Denzel sounds with a loud, deafening, scream while delivering his, or anyone's lyrics. Denzel truly is a generational talent, and one that has yet to release a bad project, whether it be a mixtape, EP or album. While I do not believe he is the best rapper currently creating the genre of music, he is very damn close, skill wise and 'project success/positivity wise' to the man who is the best rapper as of right now and of this generation, Kendrick Lamar, and if he continues on with the great work he's been creating since 2011, many more listeners will understand and agree with that statement. Does his unique, great sounding and distinct delivery work and sound good to all listeners? No. Does everyone who understands hip hop music and listens or critiques music understand, love and or see the great traits that Denzel brings to the hip hop landscape? Absolutely. Denzel's typical loud sound does not fit the ears of all listeners, but all of the individuals who understand music, and what makes music great are very in touch with Denzel and his music, sound and what makes him a fantastic rapper to get behind, watch climb up the ladder that is hip hop, and keep a close eye on as he continues his journey toward becoming universally known, as the best rapper, or simply just, artist, in 'the game,' or just the field of music at the moment. This project is scarily one of Denzel's best and while it is not 'something big,' as Denzel would say and did say, it still is a of great music and a short project that since release, I have listened to a large number of times.… Expand
  12. jacobfurness
    Sep 29, 2019
    8
    A definite step back from his last project, TA13OO, but still a quality project with is a more trap influenced album, with production from Tay Keith on the track "AUTOMATIC" and other banger type songs like "RICKY" and "P.A.T."
  13. EthanH10
    Sep 22, 2019
    9
    Not quite as deep as Taboo, but equally pleasing to listen to and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hard bangers. Another masterpiece from Denzel
  14. Drr23788
    Aug 30, 2019
    6
    This is a decent album with a handful of bangers. The production was also pretty solid.
  15. N1dl
    Aug 26, 2019
    6
    It’a alright. Very different compared to his other projects and not always in the right ways. Taboo was a borderline masterpiece Zuu was the inevitable disappointing follow up.
  16. ChidubemO
    Aug 21, 2019
    9
    The first 6 songs are excellent and the last 6 are great. Curry really sets himself apart from his peers by having rap songs with catchy hooks and good lyrical content.
    Standout tracks: SPEEDBOAT, RICKY
  17. Shaymooose
    Aug 17, 2019
    7
    Not as conceptual or as grand as TA13OO but it's not trying to be. Very laid back love letter to Denzel's home town of Miami, Florida.

    Best Tracks: WISH, RICKY, SPEEDBOAT, ZUU, P.A.T
    Worst Tracks: Shake 88
  18. Andremax
    Jul 31, 2019
    8
    ZUU looks that has been thinking to be listened rapidly (even because of its less than a half hour length), as its rhythm are nothing less that variations of the same beat, although samples and atmosphere gives it a little dynamic and Denzel Curry's rhymes and flows are inspired.
  19. fifi3
    Jul 28, 2019
    7
    Denzel comes with fun 29-minute album with trap banger after trap banger. Curry, as always, is remarkably consistent and to this point in his career is incapable of dropping a truly bad track. It's not as artistically dense as his other projects, but it's a showcase of Curry's energy, lyricism and flows.
  20. alexts8
    Jul 18, 2019
    9
    Short and sweet. A really good attempt from Curry to switch up his sound and style from TA13OO. Smooth production that never feels boring or samey, and Curry’s delivery is as fierce and loud as ever. Brilliant album.
  21. flametail23
    Jul 14, 2019
    6
    Not as impressive as last year's Taboo but still a decent project that focuses more on hard hitting bangers than emotionally driven, dark social commentary. Denzel remains to be one of, if not, the best rapper of the new generation even if this album doesn't quite live up to his last project's greatness.
  22. Dancho
    Jun 25, 2019
    7
    It isn't on the same level as Ta13oo, but still a good album. I enjoy more songs on the album than expected before the album dropped. The promotional singles aren't the highlights of the album in my opinion. Carolmart and Shake88 are great.
  23. YWGWYW
    Jun 17, 2019
    8
    I have no problem with the shorter fun album from Denzel. He put a lot of time and effort into Taboo and not every album needs to be a masterpiece. Besides, the bangers is what initially got me onto him when I first heard "Zone 3" from Nostalgic 64. The easy comparison for this is Vince Staple's FM! from last year, but this is better than that simply because the production is better andI have no problem with the shorter fun album from Denzel. He put a lot of time and effort into Taboo and not every album needs to be a masterpiece. Besides, the bangers is what initially got me onto him when I first heard "Zone 3" from Nostalgic 64. The easy comparison for this is Vince Staple's FM! from last year, but this is better than that simply because the production is better and Denzel fleshed out his songs more. The only exception to that is obviously the "Bushy B Interlude" that sounds like it had the potential to be an incredible, but then its just cut short. However, the biggest problem with this album is how inconsistent it is. Some of the songs, while there's not necessarily anything bad about them, just don't do much for me like "Automatic" and "Carolmart". Some of the features also stand out like a sore thumb. "Wish" is a great song with a catchy hook and a killer first verse from Denzel and then Kiddo Marv comes in and really drops the ball. The only two songs that are just straight up bad songs are Shake 88 and P.A.T., both with terrible features and premises that just don't do anything for me. The highlights on this album are essentially the entire first half. It's just banger after banger with incredible production and great energy and songwriting by Denzel. Its heavy on the bass and filled to the brim with sounds, never leaving any space empty. The only exception to that is Speedboat which is more stripped back consisting of mostly darker sounding piano, but Denzel still brings as much energy as any of the songs and creates a really catchy hook. I do want to point out how good he has gotten at choruses, even better than Taboo. The first 6 songs on this are all really catchy and fun songs. His singing even doesn't sound half-bad on "ZUU" and "Wish" which is something that I know bothered people before. This album is just really disjointed with the first half being damn near perfect and the second half being completely disposable. I ended up giving it 4 stars because the good outweighs the bad in my eyes but man, if he had kept working on this more and kept up the quality on the first half he could have surpassed even his last album.… Expand
  24. AntoineLeTurc
    Jun 15, 2019
    8
    Zuu is a short but sweet, banger filled album that feels more like an extended EP. Denzel tackles his past and his youth in Carol City in this project with fantastic production and great flows. Tracks like ZUU, BIRDZ, WISH and especially RICKY make the experience really worth checking out. Although the skits placement in the album is a bit weird.
  25. VictorMonteiro
    Jun 6, 2019
    8
    Denzel proves to be one of the most consistent young rappers out there, putting out another great solid project. ZUU is a celebration of the birthplace of Curry - Florida, specifically Carol City. As in his other projects all the tracks are full of energy and intense crispy deliveries that are totally unique. In addition, Denzel's beat selection is better than ever and helps to transportDenzel proves to be one of the most consistent young rappers out there, putting out another great solid project. ZUU is a celebration of the birthplace of Curry - Florida, specifically Carol City. As in his other projects all the tracks are full of energy and intense crispy deliveries that are totally unique. In addition, Denzel's beat selection is better than ever and helps to transport the listener to his hometown.… Collapse

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best Album of 2019
57
#57 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Exclaim
    Jun 27, 2019
    80
    Curry has come a long way since he blew up and has fully solidified his place in the game. If ZUU isn't in your rotation, you're sleeping.
    Read full review
  2. HipHopDX
    Jun 26, 2019
    82
    ZUU is filled with entertaining records, but their relatively short runtimes often leave one yearning for more. This brevity is just minor quibble though when presented with rewind-worthy efforts such as “Ricky,” a creation named after Curry’s father.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 21, 2019
    90
    In less than a half hour, Curry establishes himself not only as one of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree, right alongside the local icons who inspired this gem.
    Read full review
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