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. 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
  2. proterospongia
    Feb 15, 2016
    8
    The Life of Pablo brings up the most notable characteristics of previous West's albums: the megalomania of Dark Twisted Fantasy and the schizophrenia of Yeezus. But those features that worked perfectly on those two albums show their flaws on TLOP: at some points, the megalomania turns into excess and the schizophrenia turns into incoherence. After several changes in the tracklist and inThe Life of Pablo brings up the most notable characteristics of previous West's albums: the megalomania of Dark Twisted Fantasy and the schizophrenia of Yeezus. But those features that worked perfectly on those two albums show their flaws on TLOP: at some points, the megalomania turns into excess and the schizophrenia turns into incoherence. After several changes in the tracklist and in the album's title, TLOP seems like it could have worked better without some tracks and with a more cohesive approach. TLOP sounds like a well-produced mixtape and it just add to what we already know: Kanye West is one of the greatest artists of our time. The most outstanding feature here is West's well-known acid sincerity.

    Best Tracks: Ultralight Beam; FACTS, No More Parties In LA (feat. Kendrick Lamar)    … Expand
  3. usarice123
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    A natural feeling evolution of his past albums with heavy emphasis on soundscapes that take you to a whole different place. Most enjoyable album since Channel Orange in 2012 for me
  4. jotaeseche
    Feb 15, 2016
    7
    While T.L.O.P. is well-loaded and flourished with sounds, samples, countless collaborations and great hooks, it feels like this time Kanye didn't have too much to say, or at least he didn't find the most suitable ways to say it. Overall, it's a pretty enjoyable record and it will certainly please fans, but I can't help but feel that this is not the best he has thrown nor is this his mostWhile T.L.O.P. is well-loaded and flourished with sounds, samples, countless collaborations and great hooks, it feels like this time Kanye didn't have too much to say, or at least he didn't find the most suitable ways to say it. Overall, it's a pretty enjoyable record and it will certainly please fans, but I can't help but feel that this is not the best he has thrown nor is this his most cohesive or even inspiring try.… Expand
  5. freak4
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Too early to give a full verdict on this album, however, I will say that I enjoyed the hell out of this album. Listening to this album was like a spiritual journey; a religious experience. One of my favorite Kanye albums as of now (TOP 5), and I love the way that he effortlessly genre bends and fuses different music styles such as soul, gospel, jazz, hip hop, and pop together to create aToo early to give a full verdict on this album, however, I will say that I enjoyed the hell out of this album. Listening to this album was like a spiritual journey; a religious experience. One of my favorite Kanye albums as of now (TOP 5), and I love the way that he effortlessly genre bends and fuses different music styles such as soul, gospel, jazz, hip hop, and pop together to create a relatively cohesive and compelling body of work. A great album, that has a ton of replay value. A worthy addition to one of Hip Hop’s finest discographies.… Expand
  6. alijloza
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    Although this album arguably contains less impressive lyrical work and rapping from West, but this is definitely one of the best albums since his Dark Fantasy, and the concept fits perfectly with the chronology of his work and pop culture today. The fight between West's personna's in the album carries the torch from the angry West on Yeezus, and fits perfectly with the theme and chronologyAlthough this album arguably contains less impressive lyrical work and rapping from West, but this is definitely one of the best albums since his Dark Fantasy, and the concept fits perfectly with the chronology of his work and pop culture today. The fight between West's personna's in the album carries the torch from the angry West on Yeezus, and fits perfectly with the theme and chronology of West's previous albums. The production quality, controversial lyrics, and effort in the album continue to further prove that West is one of the most generation defining, deepest artists of the past 100 years. Dr. West didn't let us down!… Expand
  7. Casanovafly
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Well, you could define T.L.O.P as Kanye West's grand comeback. Well if you do, i agree with you.

    T.L.O.P is more an experience than an album, the almost trap-ish beats combined with the gospel and wave-heavy beats creates a mood that goes trough the whole album like red line. All in all a masterpiece.
  8. 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.
  9. Marcbackman
    Feb 15, 2016
    4
    I've tried to ignore Kanye's ever growing ego and enjoy the music removed from his life outside of it, but it's become increasingly hard to separate Kanye the designer and narcissist to Kanye the musician.

    The album generally isn't that good. Kanye doesn't really have anything new to say, and everything he is saying we've heard 10 times already. Ok, we get it Kanye: you hate Nike.    I've tried to ignore Kanye's ever growing ego and enjoy the music removed from his life outside of it, but it's become increasingly hard to separate Kanye the designer and narcissist to Kanye the musician.

    The album generally isn't that good. Kanye doesn't really have anything new to say, and everything he is saying we've heard 10 times already. Ok, we get it Kanye: you hate Nike. Ok, we also get that you are the re-incarnation of God and everyone wants to be you or know you. We get that you have a lot of fame and money. The difference this time around, in contrast to Yeezus, is that musically this album is not very good. The two times it is good ('Ultralight Beam' and 'No More Parties in LA') it is when the song is carried by a guest singer/rapper, and when the music (sonically) actualy has some substance to it - whether it is a great sampled beat in Parties, or the gospel tinged 'Ultralight'.

    I think when Kanye doesn't sound like he is complaining or sulking about something, he bares much better musically. If his narcissism keeps expanding at the rate it's going he no doubt will release a true stinker for his next album. And don't make the mistake of thinking this album is good or at the level we expect of Kanye. It's very average. I recommend Kanye either focus on his fashion brand or his music, because I believe his heart is no longer in the latter - and this album is proof of that fact.    … Expand
  10. iobefwbiowef
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Great album that definitely needs to be heard a couple of times before it is reviewed. Some of the people giving this a negative review have either heard only the live version or have never heard it before, as the mastering of this album is awesome!
  11. shankman
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Best Kanye album since MBDTF, even though i loved yeezus, this is just a taste of kanye throughout his career in one album, which also has some sick production and some great lyrics
  12. drewskie2010
    Feb 15, 2016
    8
    the production is consistently thrilling and entrancing. However, his rapping has been better in the past. The production alone makes this album must-listen though. The featured guests did a fantastic as well.
  13. jkerlol
    Feb 15, 2016
    8
    I'm a huge kanye fan, and I love all his work, but this one falls a little short just because of the lack of new ideas, it's still an great album. Every album since the college dropout has been so different and innovative that I was expecting more. This is more like a culmination off all his work. Again still a really good album tho
  14. Levenhagen
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Kanye keeps reinventing himself with The Life of Pablo, another classic, with the prdocution level through the roof yeezy has also several excelent guests to go along with the ride, it backs a little from the aggressiveness of last album "yeezus", finding common ground with "my dark beautiful" and "the college dropout". The highlights of the album are in Ultralight Beam, Waves, FML, NoKanye keeps reinventing himself with The Life of Pablo, another classic, with the prdocution level through the roof yeezy has also several excelent guests to go along with the ride, it backs a little from the aggressiveness of last album "yeezus", finding common ground with "my dark beautiful" and "the college dropout". The highlights of the album are in Ultralight Beam, Waves, FML, No More Parties in LA and Fade.… 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. tannerparsons
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Love him or hate him, we are living among one of the greatest musical producers ever. His talent and ability to change the game (and do it well) at the drop of a hat sets him apart from any other artist. Kanye gets away with things that no other artist ever could because he has such a unique way of crafting a song. Kanye is an egotistical maniac, but he's musically gifted, and I won't letLove him or hate him, we are living among one of the greatest musical producers ever. His talent and ability to change the game (and do it well) at the drop of a hat sets him apart from any other artist. Kanye gets away with things that no other artist ever could because he has such a unique way of crafting a song. Kanye is an egotistical maniac, but he's musically gifted, and I won't let my bias against his ego stand in the way of me recognizing that history will view Kaye as a revolutionary artist.… Expand
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. SeaVee
    Feb 15, 2016
    4
    This album really disappointed me, I only like 5 songs on it. The production is amazing as always but the pacing in most songs on it makes the whole album feel flat. If you want to listen to a better but similar music than this, you should check out Angel Haze's project "Back to the woods"
  20. Purple_Joker
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Although this album did not bend the genre like 808s and heartbreak or yeezus, it was a great album and this is some of kanye's greatest work in years. Production was a masterpiece
  21. z2two
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    Sonically, his most vast and solid effort. kanye's use of features and collabs always make sense in ways you never thought they would. Lyrically, not his best, but a very feel good album that encapsulates the legacy of kanye.
  22. puppymonkeyswag
    Feb 15, 2016
    10
    This is not the greatest album of all time. It is not even Kanye West's greatest album to date, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy gets that designation. What this album is, however, is unique, audacious, and hilarious at some moments. Kanye West, when you look beyond his twitter meltdowns, is still one of the greatest artists in the world today and proves it again with The Life of Pablo.This is not the greatest album of all time. It is not even Kanye West's greatest album to date, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy gets that designation. What this album is, however, is unique, audacious, and hilarious at some moments. Kanye West, when you look beyond his twitter meltdowns, is still one of the greatest artists in the world today and proves it again with The Life of Pablo. The lyrics are nice, the beats are very nice, and the features are very, very nice. This album proves once again that Kanye is still on the Mount Rushmore of hip-hop artists today.… Expand
  23. olidox
    Feb 15, 2016
    8
    If you pretend that Freestyle 4 didn't exist and switch up the order of the songs, this could pass for one of the better experimental hip-hop records this century. A clever blend of gospel, house, melodic sections and stellar production as always. Most of the guests do their job extremely well as per usual on Kanye's albums.

    There are a few issues. Kanye's verse on NMPILA isn't mixed    If you pretend that Freestyle 4 didn't exist and switch up the order of the songs, this could pass for one of the better experimental hip-hop records this century. A clever blend of gospel, house, melodic sections and stellar production as always. Most of the guests do their job extremely well as per usual on Kanye's albums.

    There are a few issues. Kanye's verse on NMPILA isn't mixed that well. The version of Wolves is definitely a step down from the version we heard before. The tracks aren't really sequenced that well; you get a bit of whiplash going from beautiful melodic gospel tracks to Kanye talking about getting bleach on his d**k over trap beats.

    Best moments for me were Chance's verse on Ultra Light Beams, the outro / beat switch on Famous, FML, Real Friends and 30 Hours.

    I really wish Kanye had spent another weak or 2 fine-tuning this project. Nonetheless it is another stellar, original and creative project for Mr. West to add to his already impressive discography

    Strong 8/10 with the potential to be a 9 with a bit of tweaking    … Expand
  24. clouie99
    Feb 14, 2016
    10
    Kanye's best album. It's a blend of all of his past work put into one project. Everything else is perfection. collabs on point as with the production. my only complaint is that Vic Mensa and Sia aren't on Wolves.
    Favorites: FML, Waves, Fade, Famous
  25. mrknowitall_not
    Feb 14, 2016
    8
    Not as good as Yeezus. A lot of auto-tune. Choppy and over-wrought in parts. The first 10 songs go by with few memorable moments. The end of Famous is just throwing together a bunch of samples that don't fit. "Feedback" is pretty good. Low Lights is gospel filler. "Highlights" sounds like a Kanye song from 2002. Freestyle 4 is good but sounds like half-finished song. "I love Kanye" isNot as good as Yeezus. A lot of auto-tune. Choppy and over-wrought in parts. The first 10 songs go by with few memorable moments. The end of Famous is just throwing together a bunch of samples that don't fit. "Feedback" is pretty good. Low Lights is gospel filler. "Highlights" sounds like a Kanye song from 2002. Freestyle 4 is good but sounds like half-finished song. "I love Kanye" is filler. Waves is a pop song. Not rap. FML is heartfelt but awkward with auto-tune Kanye trying to sing. Then Weeknd comes in a saves the song. Real Friends is kind of boring. Wolves is auto-tune and kind of boring. Intermission is filler. 30 Hours is boring. FACTS is the best song on the record. Fade is the second best song. My two favorite songs are the last two songs. Overall respectable effort but songs could have been more fleshed out like Twisted Fantasy or in-your-face like Yeezus.… Expand
  26. trblmkr1
    Feb 14, 2016
    3
    What a mess. It's 11 songs in before he even gets warmed up. Kendrick Lamar's verse is the best thing on this album. 4 good songs. Stop focusing on shoes and fashion. Too much distraction.
  27. Kasi97
    Feb 14, 2016
    9
    It's great.
    Not as revolutionary as his previous albums, but every track on this thing works out great. It's Kanye so his lyrics are a bit off sometimes and it's clear that he spent less time polishing this one than he did with his other albums.
    It was rushed, but Kanye still has an amazing talent that somehow not only saved the album, but made it awesome. Not sure if he could pull this    It's great.
    Not as revolutionary as his previous albums, but every track on this thing works out great. It's Kanye so his lyrics are a bit off sometimes and it's clear that he spent less time polishing this one than he did with his other albums.
    It was rushed, but Kanye still has an amazing talent that somehow not only saved the album, but made it awesome.
    Not sure if he could pull this off again, so I hope he takes his time with the next one. Please Kanye...    … Expand
  28. suyash
    Feb 14, 2016
    10
    i already wrote a review but I am rewriting it.
    This album is insane. I have not enjoyed any album this much for a while. Production wise this album is great. Lyrics are bit on and off there for sure. But the whole album sounds so **** good that you forget about the lyrics.
    I think Kanye's main focus was on production and combining his earlier innovations into this one masterpiece.    i already wrote a review but I am rewriting it.
    This album is insane. I have not enjoyed any album this much for a while. Production wise this album is great. Lyrics are bit on and off there for sure. But the whole album sounds so **** good that you forget about the lyrics.
    I think Kanye's main focus was on production and combining his earlier innovations into this one masterpiece. Musically it is intended to be incohesive since it combines different genres.Thematically upto 'waves' it is pretty tight and kanye has mentioned 30 hours as a bonus track on the track itself. So after that its just a bunch of excellent songs.
    While MBTDF(again 10) was great both lyrically and sonically it had some lengthy songs on second half of the .album.
    This album while falling short lyrically covers that shortcoming neatly. Some songs are sweet version of 'Yeezus' songs .
    I headbanged so hard on Highlights ! Mannn!    … Expand
  29. NaveedChowder
    Feb 14, 2016
    8
    Kanye channeling his inner-greatness as usual. Only aspect this album lacks is complete cohesiveness of a consistent sound. As far as features and production, not a single complaint there. Although, tracks like 'Freestyle 4', 'Feedback' and 'Facts' feel out of place.
  30. RAGE16
    Feb 14, 2016
    8
    Kanye always has a knack for making GREAT music even if his lyrics are not as great as they used to be. Production is absolutely fantastic, so varied and layered. Love that his features are always on point and always surprisingly good (ex: Chris Brown) Sounds like Kanye is having fun with his music and being so creative and makes all the other mainstream rappers seems so watered down.Kanye always has a knack for making GREAT music even if his lyrics are not as great as they used to be. Production is absolutely fantastic, so varied and layered. Love that his features are always on point and always surprisingly good (ex: Chris Brown) Sounds like Kanye is having fun with his music and being so creative and makes all the other mainstream rappers seems so watered down. Sampling work is off the charts and you just know it's a Kanye song and has that magic touch only he can provide. Love the depth of the work as well. The juxtaposition of "good, artisitc" Pablo Picasso songs (Ultralight Beam, Father Stretch My Hands, Highlights) compared to Pablo Escobar songs (Famous, Feedback, FML). Only cons to the album are some questionable lyrics that simply sound stupid, Vic Mensa and Sia not being on Wolves (even though Frank Ocean is great), and Facts is just a terrible song. All in all, an album I will be bumping in the car for months and another gem in the Kanye discography.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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]
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