The Life Of Pablo
by Kanye West
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2238 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,797 out of 2238
  2. Mixed: 179 out of 2238
  3. Negative: 262 out of 2238
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  1. nikoziko
    Feb 1, 2018
    9
    this album really improved since it was realised kanye did a lot of changes that turn this album from being kinda mediocore to a great album and one of the best 2016 albums
  2. PashaPS_
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    What I like about Kanye - If he said that he will do a great material - he do a great material. It can be an upstart and rude - but his talent is incredible!
  3. wyatt124uu
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Kanye tops his critically acclaimed Yeezus which was released 3 years ago, The Life Of Pablo is very experimental as Kanye tends to be but more enjoyable to fans than Yeezus.
    As I found, Yeezus was not as well received as I felt it deserved.
    TLOP obviously has some amazing production, it's pretty much flawless in that area, one thing I noticed worth mentioning is the vocal samples. A lot    Kanye tops his critically acclaimed Yeezus which was released 3 years ago, The Life Of Pablo is very experimental as Kanye tends to be but more enjoyable to fans than Yeezus.
    As I found, Yeezus was not as well received as I felt it deserved.
    TLOP obviously has some amazing production, it's pretty much flawless in that area, one thing I noticed worth mentioning is the vocal samples. A lot of songs in the track list have vocal samples used mixed in with the beats or in another way. Songs like Fade, Famous, Waves, and Wolves are phenomenal examples of this. All four of these songs have a strong showing of vocal sampling mixed in with the overall production, and all of them come out fantastic. Sister Nancy's song Bam Bam is vocal sampled on the second half of the song Famous and is easily one of the most jaw dropping moments on the album. The song turns from Kanye rapping a lot of braggadocio over a very shining banger type beat, to an incredible soulful, and in a weird way, hope giving beat with Nancy's vocals fitting in perfect. Swizz Beatz ad-libs throughout the song are also incredibly enjoyable, not too much is enough. As recognizable as the Nancy sample is, it still comes in as beautifully and will remind you how you felt when you first heard it (and if you haven't heard the sample before you are in for quite a feeling).
    The album kicks off incredibly strong with Ultralight Beam, featuring GOOD Music's own The-Dream, Chance The Rapper and Kelly Price if I'm not mistaken. It is a beautiful, soul touching gosepl record which is a suprise from someone like Kanye, but it is does to perfection, with Dream and Kelly's vocals bring their game and a choir in the background making the track really feel like a "God dream" as Kanye states in the track. Chance brings a powerful verse to put the cherry on top of the sundae.
    FML is also a mentionable track which features The Weeknd, it is another twisted love story from Kanye talking about how he always "F*cks his life up". The song starts off very slow, but picks up after the first hook which is a quick but powerful show of emotion from The Weeknd.
    The interlude/skit "I Love Kanye" is a hilarious, awesome little jab at all the people who say they miss the "old Kanye" and it is epic.
    Theres a song for everyone on here and some songs are hard not to like. From fun listens like No More Parties In LA, Highlights & Waves to gruff songs that might convince you Kanye is an insane genius like Freestyle 4, Feedback and Facts. The album is a thrilling roller coaster, the mood can change up incredibly in just a few songs, you'll go from near tears from the dark Wolves track with Frank Ocean, to dancing with no care to No More Parties In LA with Kendrick Lamar.
    In conclusion, this isn't Kanye's best work, but it is definitely another impressive entry to his discography, which is already on of the strongest in music history.
    I'm giving this a Strong 9.7    … Expand
  4. AmirAbdiJama
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    Explored Sound Is A Highlight Of The Album, It's So Diveresed But Still It Doesn't Leave A Theme That Kayne West Already Build With The 1st Song, The Production Is Really Excenllent, And Lyrics Is Good With A New Direction And Honesty Kayne Presented Is Impressive With Talking About And Comparing The Past With Future
  5. aidanhicks101
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    I didn't know what to expect going into this album, especially because it kept changing every 2 secs, but I can say I really enjoyed he album. Although the album cover does look like trash (my opinion) and there are some lyrics that go overboard (Taylor lyric, Ray J lyric, etc.) it doesn't change the album. My favorite songs would have to be Wolves (BTW FRANK OCEAN IS ALIVE!!) and No MoreI didn't know what to expect going into this album, especially because it kept changing every 2 secs, but I can say I really enjoyed he album. Although the album cover does look like trash (my opinion) and there are some lyrics that go overboard (Taylor lyric, Ray J lyric, etc.) it doesn't change the album. My favorite songs would have to be Wolves (BTW FRANK OCEAN IS ALIVE!!) and No More Parties In L.A. (the beats and some of the lyrics were too damn good). It was worth the $20 for me and I would recommend giving it a listen.

    But the only thing I ask is two things. 1. PLEASE put it on iTunes and not this TIDAL BS, because that was a complete disaster. 2. PLEASE PUT THIS ON VINYL! This is the kind of album that BELONGS on vinyl more (my opinion)

    Have a good day!    … Expand
  6. redjackb123
    Apr 25, 2016
    9
    Kanye West has never disappointed me with his work. The Life Of Pablo is a Masterpiece but it is one of my least favorite Kanye albums (which is not a bad thing at all). I was expecting a better album than Twisted Fantasy but i was somewhat disappointed on that the album felt like it was unfinished and rushed but still the album is a gem.
  7. JoeBenner
    Feb 12, 2016
    9
    Just downloaded it from his website, CDQ has been much better and impressive than the live rips. Wolves is without a doubt one of his best tracks released in the last 10 years. I recommend this album to anyone who enjoys old-school Kanye.
  8. vinzdakid
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    It's a great album, could have been better though. Wolves in particular should have included Sia and Vic. Other than that, well-produced album with memorable songs such as "Father Stretch My Hands" and "Highlights".
  9. shanemartin2
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    Kanye did it again with TLOP. This album is a sonic masterpiece and a breath of fresh air when Hip Hop needs one. Lyrically, it is one of Ye's weaker efforts, but its made up for with out of this world production and aesthetics. He always manages to get the best out of his features and TLOP is no different. Young Thug, The Weeknd, and Chance all manage to fit the vibe Ye was trying toKanye did it again with TLOP. This album is a sonic masterpiece and a breath of fresh air when Hip Hop needs one. Lyrically, it is one of Ye's weaker efforts, but its made up for with out of this world production and aesthetics. He always manages to get the best out of his features and TLOP is no different. Young Thug, The Weeknd, and Chance all manage to fit the vibe Ye was trying to pursue. At first listen it may seem disorganized or without direction, which may not be for some listeners, but this really is another Kanye West masterpiece. It takes gospel influences and mixes them with unapologetic punchlines that only Kanye can pull off. This was a very daring album but I definitely have it in my top 3 Kanye albums of all time.… Expand
  10. micahmilton
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    Great album. There were high expectations going into it and I came out satisfied and then some. There are a few lackluster songs but the good far outweighs the bad. Kanye has once again proven that no matter how strange of a celebrity he is in public, he is ultimately a great musician
  11. review2
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    This album was extremely good. Tons of great tracks, fantastic features. Not a particularly cohesive sound but it fits the idea of Pablo Picasso being somewhat confusing. Worth the hype. Best album of Ye since MBDTF
  12. JeffGoldblum
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    There aren't two Kanye albums that sound alike; "The Life of Pablo" is a rich, gospel-affected affair highlighted by the opus and album-starter "Ultra Lightbeam," and suprising, last-second addition "Waves." It has a couple of dips lyrically — talk of bleaching **** isn't exactly Shakespearean — and the Good Friday tracks, while likely bonuses, don't necessarily fit sonically with the restThere aren't two Kanye albums that sound alike; "The Life of Pablo" is a rich, gospel-affected affair highlighted by the opus and album-starter "Ultra Lightbeam," and suprising, last-second addition "Waves." It has a couple of dips lyrically — talk of bleaching **** isn't exactly Shakespearean — and the Good Friday tracks, while likely bonuses, don't necessarily fit sonically with the rest of the album, but pioneering production and lyricism tidied up from "Yeezus" make "The Life of Pablo" yet another masterful addition to an already acclaimed discography.… Expand
  13. CelineDion69
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Absolutely stunning. From the moment the choir comes in on Ultralight Beams to the last note of Fade, you get Kanye firing on all cylinders. The most grueling album I've heard in a long time, and that is the best compliment I could give an album. There is so much beauty and soul to get through, it's almost overwhelming. Kanye only had one misstep: the misogynistic and perplexing Taylor Swift line.
  14. SavioLira
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Only an artist like Kanye West can produce a unfinished album and make this CD sound incredible, to universal music standards. But the real question is: Is this album matchable to Kanye West's standards? It can easily be seen that Kanye lacks certain goals that he didn't even have to sweat to overcome in his previous albums. Then again, does he need a point to his work? We are talkingOnly an artist like Kanye West can produce a unfinished album and make this CD sound incredible, to universal music standards. But the real question is: Is this album matchable to Kanye West's standards? It can easily be seen that Kanye lacks certain goals that he didn't even have to sweat to overcome in his previous albums. Then again, does he need a point to his work? We are talking about a true phenomenon, in which people just want his music to come out.
    It's still too early to even compare The Life of Pablo to the 2013 album Yeezus, and it obviously doesn't reach the level of College Dropout, Late Registration, Graduation, and MBDTF. Yet again, it's a better album then 808's and heartbreak, and just maybe better compared to Yeezus.
    The production is outstanding (typical of Kanye West), and a uncommon point of this work is that the collaborations are fantastic. He really didn't need to make fabulous lyrics. He had a great team for that.
    One of the only counterpoints is that it does sound unfinished. In his antecedents CDs, it can easily be seen where the album started and finished. In The Life of Pablo, Fade is definitely not a an outro. A song like Who will survive in America, Late, or Last Call is missing.
    Returning back to the main question, this is not Kanye West's best work, but compared to other artists, this just maybe a masterpiece. So it reaches Kanye West's standards. A rare fact is that Kanye is in a level in the hip hop game that is considered "legend." Not even Nas, Jay Z, or even Tupac had the consistency that Kanye has in all his discography. He did it again, just accept it.    … Expand
  15. meekmiLL
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    This album is fantastic. In fact it is very fantastic but what stops it from being a classic album such as his previous work (MBDTF and Late Registration) is the lack of cohesion and consistency with the albums which might be because of his irregular thought pattern of changing everything about the album all the time. Nonetheless, it's a Kanye album. Of course it's gonna be fantastic.
  16. theandyguthrie
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Some really strong tracks, a lot of really inventive sampling and emotional moments. Let down by a few weak interludes but I don't think that takes away from the strength of this album.

    Could be Kanye's best yet.
  17. draediamond
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    This is a REALLY great album! This album will be underrated by a few rap fans because it's not as lyrical as some would like but the level of art on this album is unmatchable by anybody making music today. Drake, Lamar, Cole, and Future may never even come close to this album. It again pushes the boundaries of rap and mixes all sounds of Kanye that we love. The Life of Pablo is comparableThis is a REALLY great album! This album will be underrated by a few rap fans because it's not as lyrical as some would like but the level of art on this album is unmatchable by anybody making music today. Drake, Lamar, Cole, and Future may never even come close to this album. It again pushes the boundaries of rap and mixes all sounds of Kanye that we love. The Life of Pablo is comparable to 2010's Twisted Fantasy and sets Kanye as possibly the all-time king of rap music.… Expand
  18. nastynol
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    It will take a few months before I can confidently find a place for it on my "Best Kanye Albums List", but early reactions to it have me contemplating it as a top 3 effort. It feels like his most urgent, striking piece of work, especially given his place in the pop culture paradigm and current state of mind/being. Kanye is a tortured soul who needs - more than anything - to expressIt will take a few months before I can confidently find a place for it on my "Best Kanye Albums List", but early reactions to it have me contemplating it as a top 3 effort. It feels like his most urgent, striking piece of work, especially given his place in the pop culture paradigm and current state of mind/being. Kanye is a tortured soul who needs - more than anything - to express himself. I think he did that in an extremely powerful way on this album.… Expand
  19. KING_KEIGS
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Look Kanye is a cocky dude that I some times get annoyed with but man you got to respect his music/art! Yeezus was different and good but didnt stay in my rotation for long. Life of Pablo will be bumping for months to come! One complaint is a lot of short songs and dumb skits!
  20. itsbrunos
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    I mean, this is the best work of Kanye West and you need to agree with me. I didn't liked 2 or 3 songs but it doesn't mean that it isn't an incredible art of rap culture.
  21. kuznesof
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Amazing album, great to listen to. However, not that cohesive and some of the songs are quite shallow compared to Yeezus for example. But all the songs are incredible listening experiences!
  22. wuwukennywu
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Wish he had more time doing this, but still sounds amazing. He should've included that Only One remix with Caroline Shaw, kept Sia and Vic's part in Wolves a long with a bigger role with Frank Ocean, at least use Paul McCartney in a couple of songs. Overall the album can be played over and over. TLDR; Able to bring a Pulitzer Prize winning voice, a Beatle, a kid from Chi, and a MaloneWish he had more time doing this, but still sounds amazing. He should've included that Only One remix with Caroline Shaw, kept Sia and Vic's part in Wolves a long with a bigger role with Frank Ocean, at least use Paul McCartney in a couple of songs. Overall the album can be played over and over. TLDR; Able to bring a Pulitzer Prize winning voice, a Beatle, a kid from Chi, and a Malone vibe in an album… Expand
  23. badzyman
    Feb 17, 2016
    9
    To enjoy this album, give it a second listen. It underscores Kanye's desire to explore a wide variety of sounds and produce a chaotic album that makes more sense as you listen to it more. For those looking for experimental music with complementary lyrics and voices this is a good one.
  24. SergioV
    Jun 16, 2016
    9
    New Review: 86/100.

    With the addition of "Saint Pablo", this dynamic album changes again, and for the better. Really an overall listenable album, where almost every song is playable and memorable for everyone who cares to listen.
  25. popcornnsprite
    Feb 17, 2016
    9
    Some of the beat switches got on my nerves initially and could have been executed more smoothly in my opinion. I have started to get used to them after multiple listens and can really enjoy almost every single song on this album (freestyle 4 aside). Ultralight Beam is amazing. Fantastic album with many highs.
  26. Thelifeofreview
    Feb 17, 2016
    9
    Em primeiro lugar o religioso 'So Help Me God', em segundo lugar o curto 'SWISH', em terceiro o sutil 'Waves' e enfim o misterioso 'The Life Of Pablo'.

    The Life Of Pablo é o sétimo álbum solo de estúdio do rapper Kanye West. Lançado oficialmente em 12 de Janeiro. Após uma longa pausa de 3 anos, enfim Kanye West está de volta. Após alguns singles e desfiles, ele volta com tudo, enfim    Em primeiro lugar o religioso 'So Help Me God', em segundo lugar o curto 'SWISH', em terceiro o sutil 'Waves' e enfim o misterioso 'The Life Of Pablo'.

    The Life Of Pablo é o sétimo álbum solo de estúdio do rapper Kanye West. Lançado oficialmente em 12 de Janeiro.

    Após uma longa pausa de 3 anos, enfim Kanye West está de volta. Após alguns singles e desfiles, ele volta com tudo, enfim com um relacionamento sem turbulência, ele recebe de Deus seus dois novos anjos e suas roupas em total evidência. Kanye West apresenta nesse novo álbum uma nova pessoa, um Kanye que nós ainda não tínhamos conhecimento.

    O álbum conta com participações de Chance The Rapper, Chris Brown, Desiigner, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, Kirk Franklin, Post Malone, Rihanna, Sia, Ty Dolla $ign, Vic Mensa, The Weeknd & Young Thug. UFA!

    E nas produções destaco; Cashmere Cat, Kanye West, Madlib, Metro Boomin & Rick Rubin.

    A Pitchfork compara Kanye a Picasso, aqui nesse texto comparo o álbum ao quadro de Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

    Les Demoiselles d'Avignon: A composição de Picasso, 'As Senhoritas de Avignon', levou nove meses para ser feita, vindo a se tornar uma das obras responsáveis por revolucionar a história da arte, formando a base para o cubismo e a pintura abstrata. O Álbum é complexo, como é a pintura. As participações do álbum são como as cores da pintura, todas estão distribuídas perfeitamente, não há excessos, e todos estão em seus devidos lugares.

    Como a pintura, o álbum trocou de nome diversas vezes. A pintura foi incompreendida pelos amigos de Picasso, e o álbum está sendo incompreendido por alguns não fãs. Kanye referiu-se ao álbum como o álbum da vida, já Picasso referiu-se a pintura como sua primeira verdadeira pintura. Ambos também tem influencias da cultura africana. Picasso relatou que a pintura se retrata de tudo que ocorreu/correrá em 50 anos, o álbum retrata tudo que ocorreu na vida do Kanye e tudo o que ele deseja ocorrer. Muitos estilos em uma única tela. Muitos estilos musicais em único álbum. A possibilidade de fazer tudo que vem a sua mente. A possibilidade de rimar sobre qualquer assunto. A ousadia de Picasso. A ousadia de Kanye em 'Famous', 'Feedback' 'Freestyle 4' & 'FACTS'.

    O álbum não é de fácil entendimento como 'Graduation', você levará algumas semanas para admitir que é um bom álbum. O que Kanye passou para mim é que, ele fez o álbum expondo tudo que viveu e para seus fieis fãs. O álbum não se prende em só em um estilo, ele varia, o que é ótimo. Porém, Kanye deveria ter realizado a distribuição de faixas com mais delicadeza, algo que sempre o destacou. As letras estão no ponto, com rimas fortes e letras emocionantes tais como; 'Ultralight Beam', 'Real Friends' & 'Wolves'. Produção também é um destaque, conta com a lenda Rick Rubin, o produtor do momento, Metro Boomin e também o seu fiel companheiro Mike Dean, que produz conjunto desde Graduation. Como praxe, Kanye dá uma aula de samples no álbum, contendo samples de 'Stand Up and Shout About Love' por Larry Graham Jr, 'Do What You Gotta Do' pela Nina Simone, elementos sonoros do jogo 'Street Fighter II' e '(I Know) I'm Losing You' de Rare Earth.

    Enfim, é um bom álbum. Não se compara ao clássico 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'. porém está em um alto nível. Kanye West nunca decepciona.

    Músicas de destaque: 'Ultralight Beam', 'Real Friends' & 'No More Parties in L.A.'    … Expand
  27. steeze_abiola
    Feb 18, 2016
    9
    The album presents itself to somewhat artistic, revealing a spiritually elusive sonic ambiance. Of all the intended album titles, TLOP interprets the aberrational and con-jointed musical effort of his publicly unacceptable persona and the younger novel Kanye West.

    Just like @JeffGoldblum said; no two Kanye albums sounds alike. If you are finding difficulties liking this album, Read up    The album presents itself to somewhat artistic, revealing a spiritually elusive sonic ambiance. Of all the intended album titles, TLOP interprets the aberrational and con-jointed musical effort of his publicly unacceptable persona and the younger novel Kanye West.

    Just like @JeffGoldblum said; no two Kanye albums sounds alike. If you are finding difficulties liking this album, Read up on Pablo Picasso and see how he started off with the generally acceptable form of art and grew up to be more personal, expressional and deviant.

    Some reviewers think its an incomplete sound, Kanye has taken a impressionist approach to how "beautiful" is defined. Take a cue from his clothing line; appreciating ugliness as an aesthetic defiance is the mode he has been creating music upon, not having to be the harmoniously balanced keys of Marvin Gaye.

    The overly collective mix of different sounds and samples suggests Kanye's ability to extract rhythm and combine a generational ascension of sounds.

    The -1 from my score is the harmful image the lyrical contents adds to his personality. He tries to reinvigorate the humorous Kanye to which he poorly misrepresented into something harsh and intense.    … Expand
  28. tpab
    Feb 22, 2016
    9
    The Life Of Pablo, arguably the first major hip hop release of 2016, lived up to most hype. The great punchlines, combination of some of his older projects, and excellent producing makes this album what it is, a amazing album.
  29. mrgarcia
    Mar 9, 2016
    9
    Yeezy just doesn't stop. Keep dropping great albums and revolutionizing hip-pop. The album bumps hard! Both new and old kanye are geniuses!!! If you don't like kanye as a person ...cool but, give him props for his artistry
  30. cfc38
    Jul 28, 2016
    9
    In what state must a person be to make an album like this. Messy, disjointed, provocative, sometimes cheap, rarely disappointing, always mad. Always genius..
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2016
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Under The Radar
    Apr 6, 2016
    55
    There is plenty here to suggest that West's magic has not entirely left him, but as a statement of art or true intent, this is a significant misstep from an artist with so much to praise.
    Read full review
  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Apr 1, 2016
    60
    There is much to be admired here, rather less to be enjoyed.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    Mar 22, 2016
    70
    For better or worse, no-one else is making records quite like this. [May 2016, p.82]
See all critic reviews »