808s & Heartbreak
by Kanye West
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 966 out of 1156
  2. Mixed: 74 out of 1156
  3. Negative: 116 out of 1156

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  1. danielm
    Apr 12, 2009
    8
    Truly fantastic.. not the kanye everyone is used to, but the way the album flows from track 1 to his bonuses, its amazing, so amazing. Truly inspirational. Fishsticks.
  2. TaariqueD
    Mar 20, 2009
    1
    Here's what I think: how about we give it a 1 for Heartless? It's catchy until you've listened to it for a few times. As for the rest of the album: no thanks. Some artists CAN decide to try another genre and do a good job with it, but others (like Kanye West) should keep doing what they're good at, or at least make some very high-production songs in their new genre. I Here's what I think: how about we give it a 1 for Heartless? It's catchy until you've listened to it for a few times. As for the rest of the album: no thanks. Some artists CAN decide to try another genre and do a good job with it, but others (like Kanye West) should keep doing what they're good at, or at least make some very high-production songs in their new genre. I don't know, but I think this style is better suited to Mariah Carey or Beyoncé. For a (now ex-) rapper to be singing songs like these, even if they do come from the heart, just doesn't fit.… Expand
  3. GB
    Feb 21, 2009
    10
    Absolutely listen to it several times. I promise if you like your music real and not paint-by numbers this one will sneak up on you. I have to put it as one of the best albums this year. I will be listening to this one for years.
  4. wishmasterownsmysoul
    Feb 15, 2009
    7
    To really prove ur worth as a musician (or an artist in general) you need to break out of your comfort zone. His comfort zone is being an awesome rapper. In this album he is singing thourhg 95% of the songs and the auto-tune in spite of being overused to some extent is definitely catchy. "heartless" & "love lockdown" are the highlights. It is an experiment that has worked well, kind of To really prove ur worth as a musician (or an artist in general) you need to break out of your comfort zone. His comfort zone is being an awesome rapper. In this album he is singing thourhg 95% of the songs and the auto-tune in spite of being overused to some extent is definitely catchy. "heartless" & "love lockdown" are the highlights. It is an experiment that has worked well, kind of reminds me of Outkast's speakerboxx/the love below. A break away from convention that is inspiring.… Expand
  5. WillD
    Feb 5, 2009
    2
    This album straight sucks...plain and simple. I want my money back! This is not the Kanye West I paid 15.00 to hear.
  6. jk
    Jan 26, 2009
    10
    All honesty and grit. Somebody tell Scott Plagenhoef and the copycats over on stereogum to shut it up.
  7. AjayD
    Jan 14, 2009
    7
    I am disappointed with kanye this time! There are some standout tracks like heartless, amazing, see you in my nightmares, robocop! over produced and lacks emotions.
  8. timothykelly
    Dec 29, 2008
    9
    The songs really provide a glimpse into Kanye's feelings. My only problem is that the songs are repetitive. If he had mixed the Autotune'd singing with his old style of rapping, this album truly would have been a masterwork.
  9. nataliedonald
    Dec 22, 2008
    10
    Listen to it 3 times over. Just sit down, close your eyes, and listen. I guarantee you will get over all the misconceptions about this album. Sure, he over uses the voice audacity machine. But this is an amazing album, truly heartfelt.
  10. samanthab
    Dec 17, 2008
    10
    he is awesome no matter what
  11. MelesaWangerin
    Dec 15, 2008
    10
    Loved it because it's so different then what everyone else is doing, especially in hip-hop. Brilliant. Although, the lyrics lacked in some areas. The music and he's singing made up for it. Great job Kanye!
  12. MichaelPhilip
    Dec 15, 2008
    0
    shocking shocking album, that auto-tune is seriously annoying
  13. danielw
    Dec 11, 2008
    10
    Album of the year, IMHO. In time, this will come to be seen as hip hop's Sargent Pepper, an album that extends the range of an entire musical idiom. This is a hip hop album, to be sure, but one that seems to have breathed in elements of myriad other musical styles and integrated them into its DNA. I can't stop listening to it.
  14. B.D.Ham
    Dec 7, 2008
    9
    Kanye West is back with his 4th studio album, "808s & Heartbreak". The album is much different compared to previous releases, as West releases an album full of pop beats and the Auto Tune effect. However, if the people giving bad reviews would realize what has happened in his life as of late, they'll see why the album had to be made. His personal life has been a train wreck, and he Kanye West is back with his 4th studio album, "808s & Heartbreak". The album is much different compared to previous releases, as West releases an album full of pop beats and the Auto Tune effect. However, if the people giving bad reviews would realize what has happened in his life as of late, they'll see why the album had to be made. His personal life has been a train wreck, and he pours his heart and soul into the album. 1. Say You Will - One of my personal favorites on the album, West has the PERFECT intro for the album, I really couldn't imagine it being anything else. He creates a dark mood with the track that is perfect to start the CD. Many people have complained about half the song being just instrumental, but it really is a brilliant beat, so it is not a huge deal. 4/5 2. Welcome to Heartbreak - Powerful song, where Kanye implies that he wishes to be a father ("My friend show me pictures of his kids/And all I can show him is pictures of my cribs/"). Another clever beat, and an excellent chorus by Kid Cudi is just icing on the cake. 4/5 3. Heartless - The 2nd single, and an excellent choice. West's lyrics are directed toward his ex-fiance, Alexis Phifer. The beat is very addicting, especially the piano. Another very good chorus makes it one of the best songs on the album. 4.5/5 4. Amazing - Another excellent beat produced by West. Young Jeezy's voice was an excellent contrast to Kanye's robotic Auto Tune voice. Although the chorus can get repetitive, the track is enjoyable. 4/5 5. Love Lockdown - The somewhat controversial choice for 1st single. When the song was released, it was clear this album would be much different than previous Kanye albums, and it got a mixed response. I, personally, did not like the song when it was released, but it grew on me slightly, as it did for others. It is actually on the weaker half of the album, although the drums on the chorus may be the best instrument used on the CD. The lyrics aren't anything special and the outro is a bit long. But overall, it is a decent track. 3.5/5 6. Paranoid - A strange, 80's vibe to the track, and is a sharp contrast from the "heartbreak" concept of the album. The chorus is decent, but not great. West raps more than sings on the track, which is another interesting change. I don't think the track should have happened, not that it is horrible, but it doesn't fit at all with the purpose of the album. 3/5 7. RoboCop - Like Paranoid, the beat is very upbeat, something that hadn't been seen on the first 5 tracks; regardless, it is a very good production. The song is about a girl who tries to find out everything Kanye is doing ("I told her there's some things she don't need to know/ She never let it go"). Like Paranoid, it doesn't seem to fit in with the album, but the concept of the track and the epic chorus are enough to help it pass. 3.5/5 8. Street Lights - Back to heartbreak with this track, and it couldn't come back with a better track. The beat is simple, yet quite enjoyable. West's lyrics are excellent, discussing how moments of life are like street lights passing by. His vocal performance is also one of the best on the album, and it goes perfectly with the beat. What keeps this song from being a REALLY great one, in my mind, is the annoying static in the background of West's voice, which was also present in the last chorus in Love Lockdown. It doesn't mix well with the track. 4/5 9. Bad News - West has stated that this is his favorite track on the album, but it does not work for me. The voice effects are WAY overused on the track, and Kanye's vocals are irritable with them turned on. The beat is decent at best, and although the lyrics are well written and have meaning, it is 1 positive among several negatives. 2.5/5 10. See You In My Nightmares - Possible 3rd single? (It's been rising up on the iTunes Chart) The beat is very good and the screams of "That you know!" are awesome. Wayne's chorus is put together well and his verse has some great lines ("You think yo sh*t don't stank but you are Mrs. PU"). Overall, a very good track, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was the 3rd single. 4/5 11. Coldest Winter - This song is dedicated to Kanye's mother, Donda West, who passed away last year due to surgery complications. The beat and chorus are both excellent, and the emotion on the track is present on this track more strongly than any of the others, which makes it a truly wonderful piece of music. Definite highlight. 4.5/5 12. Pinocchio Story - A live freestyle by West, which is really like an extension to the CD, but in my mind the album wouldn't be complete without it. West tells a wonderful tale of how he wishes he wasn't the famous person he is and how he wishes to be a "real boy", or a normal, everyday person, and compares how he feels to Pinocchio. The lyrics are extremely clever, definetly the best on the album. The song really brings millions of thoughts into your mind, and while not the easiest track to really listen to (no real beat, 6 minutes long), when you are in the mood to hear it, there's nothing like it. And as ironic as it sounds, the best song on the album isn't even an official track. 5/5 Overall, 808s & Heartbreak may not be as good as Kanye's rap albums (and his upcoming 2009 CD will be a return to hip hop, believe me), but it is easily the most original, the most unique, and the most thought-provoking album of the year. From the emotional moodiness of Say You Will, to the Alexis Phifer references in Heartless, to the incredible vocals of Street Lights, and all the way to the unforgettable Pinocchio Story (without that song, the album would have received 8 stars), Kanye West reaches a new height never before discovered in music, and although we will probably never see another album of this subject, we can at least enjoy this for what it is, a masterpiece from the most amazing musician in the world today.… Expand
  15. NamahotoRidajo
    Dec 6, 2008
    10
    Without a doubt one of the best albums of the year, up there with In Rainbows
  16. FeipeLima
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    Fantastic Album!!
  17. sergiodevcic
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    this is future, this cd will change the music as the form we have been used to. i'm not surprised it was done by Kanye, the man simply has outgrown the rap...ps-i bet he listened to Burial while making Bad News :-) go, Kanye, go!
  18. AnthonyAmato
    Dec 4, 2008
    0
    very happy that there is a option to give a zero for an album. if there was ever an album made that was a disgrace to hip hop and deserved a zero, this is one. what a waste of time. when you are not that good of a rapper and you put something like this out, your career should be in big trouble. i hope he stops polluting our airwaves soon with this garbage
  19. drunkestepdaddad
    Dec 3, 2008
    0
    kw sucks.
  20. OshinoKaitoro
    Dec 2, 2008
    0
    I cannot shallow this sh*t.
  21. VinhPham
    Dec 2, 2008
    0
    Why on earth can a singer create this type of art?
  22. AndrewG
    Dec 1, 2008
    9
    Underrated as far as I'm concerned. 'Street Lights' is a real standout, but I am particularly feeling some of the weirder tracks: 'Paranoid', 'See You in My Nightmares' f/ Lil Wayne, 'Robocop' (which has a Christmas-music-like feel to it on the album, unlike the leaked track). Certainly a radical departure though, and may not appeal to fans of Underrated as far as I'm concerned. 'Street Lights' is a real standout, but I am particularly feeling some of the weirder tracks: 'Paranoid', 'See You in My Nightmares' f/ Lil Wayne, 'Robocop' (which has a Christmas-music-like feel to it on the album, unlike the leaked track). Certainly a radical departure though, and may not appeal to fans of his trademarked chipmunk soul.… Expand
  23. JJBersch
    Dec 1, 2008
    10
    It's simple, what he needed to do, and beautiful. I can't ask for much more from my favorite artist, can I? We finally get to see Kanye more personally.
  24. BenBacon
    Dec 1, 2008
    4
    I hate 50 Cent. Let me "say it twice" (thanks, Sway Dasafo): I hate 50 Cent. But 'twas Curtis who summed it up best, "It sounds like T-Pain's album. I would rather buy T-Pain's album from T-Pain." I am well on my way to an ulcer from T-Pain's incestuous use of the auto-tune function. And now Kanye's a biter (even though he claims to have created it on his first I hate 50 Cent. Let me "say it twice" (thanks, Sway Dasafo): I hate 50 Cent. But 'twas Curtis who summed it up best, "It sounds like T-Pain's album. I would rather buy T-Pain's album from T-Pain." I am well on my way to an ulcer from T-Pain's incestuous use of the auto-tune function. And now Kanye's a biter (even though he claims to have created it on his first commercial drop)? Blerg! Now, I must quote the brilliant Tina Fey, for only her words will suffice: WHAT the WHAT?!… Expand
  25. ChristianPowers
    Nov 30, 2008
    9
    Great album in concept and in execution. Proves West is truly an artist.
  26. JimFraederichs
    Nov 30, 2008
    7
    Different. Not really rap. Kanye listens to too much Daft Punk. Personally, I'm intrigued by this album, musically, I'm kinda bored with it. It's basically a Hip-hop/emo album.
  27. RuneLanghoff
    Nov 30, 2008
    10
    only second to college dropout which scores 11 in my book
  28. JeffRicottone
    Nov 30, 2008
    10
    Heart breaking honesty and breath taking production. This album will never lose social relevance, while simultaneously putting a chink in the armor of the song wrighter/performer model. Ok ok ok, I didn't laugh, but it did make me cry.
  29. JoeyJohnson
    Nov 29, 2008
    9
    This is depper than most people believe. Give it time and it will grow on you.
  30. VincentMeeko
    Nov 29, 2008
    8
    Kanye never really had the best rap flow in my opinion, he was always doing his own thing vocal-wise. I'm not too surprised that he went the electro-pop route, and am just happy that he exceeded expectations with this album. The two awesome singles so far are on the weaker side of the album... Welcome to Heartbreak, Paranoid, Robo Cop (which is light years better than the leaked Kanye never really had the best rap flow in my opinion, he was always doing his own thing vocal-wise. I'm not too surprised that he went the electro-pop route, and am just happy that he exceeded expectations with this album. The two awesome singles so far are on the weaker side of the album... Welcome to Heartbreak, Paranoid, Robo Cop (which is light years better than the leaked unmastered version) and See You In My Nightmares (I lol'd a bit when Lil Wayne broke it down, he's boss though) were the highlights for me.… Expand
  31. DerekReiff
    Nov 29, 2008
    2
    This slow stuff isn't his best
  32. GrantThornhill
    Nov 29, 2008
    0
    Kanye West is a genius; therefore, he feels the need to try new things. However, Kanye's abandonment of rap in favor of only using autotune and tribal drums is a regrettable choice that has yielded forgettable, if not unlistenable, songs. Kanye shouldn't worry too much though; Neil Yound and Bob Dylan also made some terrible albums during their experimental phases and they are Kanye West is a genius; therefore, he feels the need to try new things. However, Kanye's abandonment of rap in favor of only using autotune and tribal drums is a regrettable choice that has yielded forgettable, if not unlistenable, songs. Kanye shouldn't worry too much though; Neil Yound and Bob Dylan also made some terrible albums during their experimental phases and they are still considered to be among the best musicians of all time. If Kanye wants to be remembered like Michael Jackson, he should focus on improving his raps rather than abandoning them to become a crappier version of TPAIN.… Expand
  33. RossAldentaler
    Nov 29, 2008
    0
    This album is terrible, Kanye should have saved it until after he was dead.
  34. Preston
    Nov 29, 2008
    8
    Wow, I feel like a lot of reviewers just don't get this album. Or they are unable to separate the product from its creator. I like it a lot. Simple in both its theory and execution, it is as easy to enjoy as it must have been for Kanye West to create. Comparable to Thom Yorke's the Eraser but for pop audiences.
  35. JosephA
    Nov 28, 2008
    8
    I think it sounds great, to me very much one of the most interesting and bold releases of 2008; very original & unique. I like it a lot.
  36. JustinD
    Nov 28, 2008
    1
    This is the first big failure Kanye West has ever had. Auto tune is ruining rap, and slowly taking the best artists with it.
  37. alex
    Nov 28, 2008
    2
    Kayne sold out..this auto tune nonsense is getting out of hand
  38. kkrana
    Nov 28, 2008
    0
    no comments.....
  39. jaffarraza
    Nov 28, 2008
    1
    this sucked. i shit on kanye for making a pop album after the success he's attained in hiphop
  40. SamSpear
    Nov 28, 2008
    8
    While this album doesn't offer the diversity and catchy hooks that Graduation graced our ears with, 808s offers a refreshing perspective on urban music. Many will criticize his heavy use of synthesized voice, but the critics forget that West's vocals are not the entree he brings to the table.
  41. SteveHeredia
    Nov 27, 2008
    8
    i wasn't sure what to expect from this album after hearing the first single, love lockdown. a definite departure from his previous work. a bold and risky move. i doubt any rapper would or could do something like this, and actually pull it off. it's clear kanye wears his heart on his sleeve and apparently, his music. while i'm sure this album was therapeutic for him and one i wasn't sure what to expect from this album after hearing the first single, love lockdown. a definite departure from his previous work. a bold and risky move. i doubt any rapper would or could do something like this, and actually pull it off. it's clear kanye wears his heart on his sleeve and apparently, his music. while i'm sure this album was therapeutic for him and one he personally needed to make, he managed to make a great album none the less...… Expand
  42. SeanSmith
    Nov 27, 2008
    10
    With his 4th album Kanye manages to deliver a piece of music that will be able to stand the test of time. Kanye perfectly captures the feeling of "Heartbreak". The cold emptiness that is inside of everyone when a person that you love leaves you. Through the use of 808 drums in combination with auto-tune and distortion effects he creates exactly this atmosphere. The album is perfect from With his 4th album Kanye manages to deliver a piece of music that will be able to stand the test of time. Kanye perfectly captures the feeling of "Heartbreak". The cold emptiness that is inside of everyone when a person that you love leaves you. Through the use of 808 drums in combination with auto-tune and distortion effects he creates exactly this atmosphere. The album is perfect from beginning to end. It just sucks you in and doesn't let you out until it's over. This is Kanye's Thriller, Joshua Tree or Nevermind. He's now in one league with the greatest artists in the world. Maybe he's even one step ahead of them.… Expand
  43. GerardoSánchez
    Nov 27, 2008
    10
    just perfect
  44. JasonL.
    Nov 27, 2008
    9
    Great album. Even though I'm not always fond of his "me, me, me" attitude, I have to give credit where it is due. This album is a good hard shove in an artistic direction. I love all music but always had a special place for hiphop. This is the direction I would like to see hiphop head in. Not necessarily the synthesized sound, which I do like, but more the artistic nature. Don't Great album. Even though I'm not always fond of his "me, me, me" attitude, I have to give credit where it is due. This album is a good hard shove in an artistic direction. I love all music but always had a special place for hiphop. This is the direction I would like to see hiphop head in. Not necessarily the synthesized sound, which I do like, but more the artistic nature. Don't get me wrong, it's still not quite where I want hiphop to be, but Kanye is opening up a little more than usual on this album, and I'm appreciating it. My favorite track...so far... is no. 2, "Welcome to Heartbreak"!… Expand
  45. NateP.
    Nov 26, 2008
    5
    The first half of the album is quite nice, especially "Welcome to Heartbreak." The rest of the album, however, fades into a string of songs that are extremely bland, whiny, and just not amusing.
  46. BlakeJackson
    Nov 26, 2008
    9
    This album is a melancholic masterpiece. Why do people keep comparing it to T-Pain? It's not all about the Antares auto-tune, folks.
  47. EvK
    Nov 26, 2008
    9
    Best album he has yet made.
  48. ww@ww.ww
    Nov 26, 2008
    10
    w
  49. DeboA
    Nov 26, 2008
    10
    Surprisingly Brilliant! 808s and Heartbreak find Mr. West doing more soul-searching than ever before, a reflective well sequenced and still has enough beats to be a 'Kanye' album! Not many hip hop/rap artistes would even think to do what he's done with this album and those who would dare to maybe would not have succeeded like he has! Well done, again Kanye!
  50. JimmyBluntz
    Nov 26, 2008
    2
    How the mighty have fallen, the innovator is now the imitator. Kayne used to be the breath of fresh air in an otherwise played out, commercialized genre. I can respect Kanye doing something off the beaten path of his usual, but is it really necessary to use the Vocal Auto-Tuner on every track? This album feels like it was thrown together to be released for the Christmas sales rush. Why How the mighty have fallen, the innovator is now the imitator. Kayne used to be the breath of fresh air in an otherwise played out, commercialized genre. I can respect Kanye doing something off the beaten path of his usual, but is it really necessary to use the Vocal Auto-Tuner on every track? This album feels like it was thrown together to be released for the Christmas sales rush. Why else would he abuse the vocal auto-tuner that is so popular right now? I mean, Jim Jones now has a track out that uses this crap. I like Dip-Set, but come on! There are going to be people that say this album is genius and that Kanye ventured out to create something different, and yet others that feel they wasted their money on straight garbage (myself included). There are maybe 2 tracks that I could somewhat listen to all the way (I have yet to listen to the entire album just because I can't stand this commercial garbage). Kayne, you went 2 for 12, a 16% total rating. I went into this album expecting great things, but all I got was a lot of Heartbreak.… Expand
  51. KevinWormley
    Nov 26, 2008
    9
    A brilliant album that is a refreshing change from the norm. I (like many others I'm sure) don't always like the way Kanye acts in the public eye but the man is a genius and this daring album proves it. I found myself satisfied with my purchase after the first two songs and it just got better from there. Track 12 entitled "Pinocchio Story" is quite possibly the best song on the A brilliant album that is a refreshing change from the norm. I (like many others I'm sure) don't always like the way Kanye acts in the public eye but the man is a genius and this daring album proves it. I found myself satisfied with my purchase after the first two songs and it just got better from there. Track 12 entitled "Pinocchio Story" is quite possibly the best song on the album and its supposedly a freestyle he did at a live show in Singapore. Pick this album up if you want a new, refreshing sound that just keeps getting better with each track.… Expand
  52. FoenixirFeng
    Nov 26, 2008
    9
    it's hard to say "love this album", but still i can't ignore the accomplishment Kanye made in it, i gave it 9, and it ranks 3rd among my Kanye collections, only behind the college dropout and late registration.
  53. titusdemyers
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    MASTERPIECE
  54. Ryan
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    Kanye steps outside of his comfort zone and actually sings with the aid of Auto-Tune. Kanye addresses all of his problems that he has been faced with in the past year. Breaking up with his girlfriend and the death of his mother are central points of his album. Kanye even gives a tribute to his mother on Coldest Winter. All in all Kanye's experimental album actually works very well Kanye steps outside of his comfort zone and actually sings with the aid of Auto-Tune. Kanye addresses all of his problems that he has been faced with in the past year. Breaking up with his girlfriend and the death of his mother are central points of his album. Kanye even gives a tribute to his mother on Coldest Winter. All in all Kanye's experimental album actually works very well and those that were disappointed with this album should not dispair because next Kanye is releasing an album which he raps on.… Expand
  55. Greg
    Nov 25, 2008
    9
    Much better than I'd anticipated, the unique style lends itself perfectly to the material. Lyrics are not that strong but they get the message across and can be endearing yet annoying at the same time. Hip Hop's (Ryan Adams') Heartbreaker?
  56. DAVIDCarrillo
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    He took a gamble with this album and hit the jack pot.
  57. Armen
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    An amazing album. There is emotional depth and artistic growth here. Indeed an excellent record.
  58. AnonymousMC
    Nov 25, 2008
    1
    sit down and shut it kanye, this blows !
  59. eliasarias
    Nov 25, 2008
    7
    for any one who ever had their heartbroken, you can relate to the confusion of what hes expressing.
  60. CamelDubois
    Nov 25, 2008
    3
    Not good, very bad.
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2008
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Sputnikmusic
    70
    Kanye West’s fourth album 808s and Heartbreak follows the crowd rather than leads it. Where he steps, the footprints of T-Pain are readily visible. His use of auto-tune throughout the album is heavy, and in songs like Heartless and Love Lockdown its use is appealing.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    The resounding verdict is that it’s a surprising, but bold and brave progression from last year’s confused "Graduation."
    Read full review
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    It might seem harsh but let's hope he doesn't find too much happiness in the meantime. Loneliness is proving quite the muse.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »