User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2238 Ratings

User score distribution:
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Feb 16, 2016
    7
    What is TLOP? As an album it is a reflection of its creator – an irrational, jarring, mildly infuriating collection of sporadic ideas and sounds. There is no real direction within the violent shifts in mood and tracks within The Life of Pablo. The album comes after multiple changes in track listings, covers, titles, and release dates. With so much anticipation behind a new Kanye album itWhat is TLOP? As an album it is a reflection of its creator – an irrational, jarring, mildly infuriating collection of sporadic ideas and sounds. There is no real direction within the violent shifts in mood and tracks within The Life of Pablo. The album comes after multiple changes in track listings, covers, titles, and release dates. With so much anticipation behind a new Kanye album it is hard not to feel expectation – how will the man himself follow up from Yeezus?

    The answer is inconsistently. For ever inspired, jaw-dropping moment on TLOP there is another that falls flat, that ruins the build-up and seems out of place. The opening track, “Ultralight Beams” is a perfect blend of previous Kanye styles, and is genuinely breath taking as a standalone song and an album opener. But the level that it sets going into the rest of the album leaves it all feeling a little underwhelming. Father Stretch My Hands has good moments, Pt 2 also, but they never really go anywhere, swapping from one idea to the next at the flick of the switch.

    The highlights of the album include Famous, FML, Real Friends, No More Parties in LA and 30 Hours. But tracks such as Freestyle 4 or Low Lights seem to be unnecessary, and Waves doesn’t seem like a Kanye track more than it does a Chris Brown song. This album is more challenging than Yeezus as a listen if not more incoherent, and suffers from not having a whole, real idea to sustain it. This feels more like a collection of note, of incomplete parts that don’t all come together to make a complete album.
    Expand
  2. 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
  3. Feb 14, 2016
    7
    I made a Tidal trial account just for this album and, honestly, I expected more. TLOP is a long, well produced album with great featurings, but there's an incredible sense of confusion and in the gem of Wolves, without any motive Kanye, dropped off Sia & Vic Mensa and the track gone trash. Good album that could've been great.
  4. Mar 5, 2016
    7
    A very great and interesting album. Some of West best songs are on this album. Ultralight Beam, Father Stretch My Hands, Pt 1 and 2, Waves, FML, 30Hours , Real Friends, No More Parties and Famous. This album is up to par with his best album MBDTF. This album feel like a soundtrack to his life. The only song that is bad on this album is "Facts". Lyrically , West is spitting much better barsA very great and interesting album. Some of West best songs are on this album. Ultralight Beam, Father Stretch My Hands, Pt 1 and 2, Waves, FML, 30Hours , Real Friends, No More Parties and Famous. This album is up to par with his best album MBDTF. This album feel like a soundtrack to his life. The only song that is bad on this album is "Facts". Lyrically , West is spitting much better bars than his last album. Expand
  5. Mar 1, 2016
    7
    I feel that this is easily not one of Kanye’s best projects he has put out for us. I felt that we only got a decent project that was two and a half years in the making, and I felt that Kanye could’ve put out a better project for us. I give extra credit for the overall production of this album, I thought that was one of the best components to this album. I’m also giving a shoutout towardsI feel that this is easily not one of Kanye’s best projects he has put out for us. I felt that we only got a decent project that was two and a half years in the making, and I felt that Kanye could’ve put out a better project for us. I give extra credit for the overall production of this album, I thought that was one of the best components to this album. I’m also giving a shoutout towards this album for the featuring artists and producers Kanye got on this album, I thought all of them brought their best, and it shows on many of these tracks. Some songs hit it home for me on the theme and lyrical side, and a few didn’t, also the poor quality of skits also brought this album down for me a little too. My favorite songs are No Parties In L.A, Ultralight Beam, and Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1. Some of the lackluster songs on the other hand for me include Freestyle 4, Facts, and Fade. Expand
  6. Feb 20, 2016
    7
    The album starts pretty well with Ultralight Beam, but then, listening to the rest of the album, after every song there's a less finished-track touch, as it needed a little bit more of production, the main ideas feel amazing though. The lyrics are great as always, Kanye-quality, just not his best body of work.
  7. Apr 29, 2016
    7
    This is not his best work as it had weak moments, the production was strong but the lyrics were sloppy and worst than Yeezus. Way too many features on this, thought it was his weakest album to date.
  8. Mar 8, 2016
    7
    It’s just too disjointed. There’s some gold in here. As well as some silver and bronze. But you can’t just smash it all together and call it a Cartier.
  9. Feb 17, 2016
    7
    I listened to only some tracks of his new work because I don't have a TIdal account so I listened all tracks but not all. I really like the first singles out like No More Parties In LA. Kanye is back with a kind of Old School Rap....
  10. Feb 14, 2016
    7
    Lets get this out the way - this is not his best work. Its not Yeezus, and its definitely not MDTF. But its not a bad album at all. It feels like he has tried to fuse his two previous albums and had partial success. I actually feel like one of the albums best songs is Waves - which ironically was almost not on the album - and was the reason the album was delayed. FML is another excellentLets get this out the way - this is not his best work. Its not Yeezus, and its definitely not MDTF. But its not a bad album at all. It feels like he has tried to fuse his two previous albums and had partial success. I actually feel like one of the albums best songs is Waves - which ironically was almost not on the album - and was the reason the album was delayed. FML is another excellent piece, featuring The Weeknd - someone who i'm not usually to fond of, but here he shines. We all know that No More Parties in L.A is an excellent track having heard it on Kanye's Soundcloud almost a month ago, but it seems even better when listened to amongst the other songs in TLOP. Overall, i think it will take me several weeks, if not months, to come to a fully fleshed out opinion on this album (as is often the case with Kanye's work), but my initial reaction is that this album represents a Kanye that is standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to go. This unsureness can be heard in the songs - but this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it gives many of the tracks a sort of edginess that we haven't heard before from Yeezy. I'm not quite sure how history will remember this album. It will be either seen as a weak point in Kanye's otherwise stellar career, or it could be seen as a marked change in direction not just for him, but for the whole Hip-Hop genre in general. Only time will tell. Expand
  11. Feb 18, 2016
    7
    The album starts off decent, but with pointless intermissions and many filler tracks, the album loses its focus and cohesion.

    Favorite Tracks: Ultralight Beam, Pt. 2, Famous, Feedback, I Love Kanye, FML, Real Friends, and No More Parties in LA.
  12. Feb 26, 2016
    7
    Extremely inconsistent. The album opens with Ultralight beam which is extraordinary, followed by some very average or even bad tracks. However, the song famous is pretty good. the most consciously narcissistic song in history occurs with I love kanye. Waves which feature chris brown is a great track. FML is one of the most honest, beautiful, and personal pieces of art I've everExtremely inconsistent. The album opens with Ultralight beam which is extraordinary, followed by some very average or even bad tracks. However, the song famous is pretty good. the most consciously narcissistic song in history occurs with I love kanye. Waves which feature chris brown is a great track. FML is one of the most honest, beautiful, and personal pieces of art I've ever experienced. real friends and no more parties in LA are each pretty great. Kendrick Lamar, Chance the rapper, and chris brown each have exceptional features.
    If you are expecting a consistent or cohesive album you may find your self disappointed. However if you appreciate the bright spots the album will be well worth your time
    Expand
  13. Apr 10, 2016
    7
    there are a couple of good songs but not enough of them it make it his best album. It tells a lot that i don't think its a great Kanye album but an amazing general album.
  14. May 13, 2016
    7
    t.l.o.p. is an amazing album! it's better than drake's album but worse than zayn's and beyonce's ;p waves is my biggest jam! Kanye is one of the most talented rappers.
  15. Apr 23, 2016
    7
    A perfectly acceptable album from Hip-Hop's most controversial figure, The Life of Pablo comes forward with a few fantastic songs, a handful of good, a handful of bad and a couple terrible tracks. Not much more to say that hasn't been said already.

    It's good, not great, and that's OK. Much better than Yeezus, but still nowhere close to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or any other
    A perfectly acceptable album from Hip-Hop's most controversial figure, The Life of Pablo comes forward with a few fantastic songs, a handful of good, a handful of bad and a couple terrible tracks. Not much more to say that hasn't been said already.

    It's good, not great, and that's OK. Much better than Yeezus, but still nowhere close to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy or any other classic Kanye record.
    Expand
  16. Oct 2, 2017
    7
    68/100. I really like the first half of the album, but the second half got me kinda bored. The production is amazing, almost as good as the 2010 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. But the lyrics are weak and lazy for me. A good album, but not really a fire one.
  17. Jun 16, 2017
    7
    his best album yet and most raw and intelligent. However a few slips in production may have made this album just a little better

    Best Song(s):
    Waves
    FML
    Wolves
    Famous
    Ultralight Beam

    Worst Song(s):
    Saint Pablo
  18. Apr 6, 2017
    7
    Kanye has once again proven himself to be a dominant force in the hip hop scene. Pristine flow and production that will take back to the early days of hip hop. Not his best as I will say it is a little lengthy but still a fun listen.
  19. Feb 23, 2017
    7
    Okay, this is not as bad as many people suggested me. I heard MBDTF and was pleased with it, although I find his debut and sophomore album way better. I liked 808s, but Yeezus was just a continuation of the sound with a tinge of brashness (which was the reason why I didn't like it, not because of the lyrics or the instrumentals or anything like that). Then came TLOP, and I was quiteOkay, this is not as bad as many people suggested me. I heard MBDTF and was pleased with it, although I find his debut and sophomore album way better. I liked 808s, but Yeezus was just a continuation of the sound with a tinge of brashness (which was the reason why I didn't like it, not because of the lyrics or the instrumentals or anything like that). Then came TLOP, and I was quite impressed that Kanye didn't make it as underwhelming as Yeezus. The whole album is like a compilation album of everything Kanye has done, except with new material. Therer's glossy produced tracks like Famous, then there's gospel-influenced tracks like Ultralight Beam, and what more! I love the messy, kaleidoscopic, Tumblr-like aesthetic. However, sometimes the album goes down in quality with tracks like Highlights, Freestyle 4, and Fade (I didn't mention Facts because that beat is impressive), However, it regains its momentum back with more better produced tracks like Ultralight Beam, Famous, Feedback, FML, Real Friends, Wolves, No More Parties In LA, and Saint Pablo. There are underwhelming cuts such as Father Stretch My Hands (even though that beat drop is insane), Waves, and 30 Hours (punchlines on point though). it's a mixed bag. A mixed bag is something I hate, but Kanye makes the term seem a bit more positive. This is not a Pitchfork 9, nor a Rolling Stone 9. This is just an album with the highs being very high and the lows being very low. The highs are more, so it's a 7.2/10 for me. Expand
  20. Mar 11, 2017
    7
    We rarely get an album with this many collaboration it's almost like Kanye was like I want an album for everyone, and he does this very well there's a song for everyone, Father Stretch My Hands Pt, 2 and No More Parties In LA are bangers, there are songs like Ultralight Beam and Waves, and then there's Famous. The only issue I have is that there is no story or end goal to this album butWe rarely get an album with this many collaboration it's almost like Kanye was like I want an album for everyone, and he does this very well there's a song for everyone, Father Stretch My Hands Pt, 2 and No More Parties In LA are bangers, there are songs like Ultralight Beam and Waves, and then there's Famous. The only issue I have is that there is no story or end goal to this album but instead it's just a bunch of singles. Expand
  21. Apr 16, 2017
    7
    Perhaps Kanye's most hyped album ever, this project is scatty, catchy and shamelessly unorganised. However the messiness of this album offers an insight into its creator's mind-set, and in doing so Kanye creates a hugely personal album in which he exposes many signs of weakness throughout. The album is religiously influenced, particularly the incredible 'Ultralight Beam' and this album hasPerhaps Kanye's most hyped album ever, this project is scatty, catchy and shamelessly unorganised. However the messiness of this album offers an insight into its creator's mind-set, and in doing so Kanye creates a hugely personal album in which he exposes many signs of weakness throughout. The album is religiously influenced, particularly the incredible 'Ultralight Beam' and this album has a lot of interesting content to offer despite its lyrical drawbacks. TLOP's downfall is in its choppy transitions between tracks and several outrageously bad lines. This album is easily Kanye's worst project to date, however still a solid piece of hip-hop with many positives to it. Expand
  22. Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album............................................................................................................................................................
  23. Nov 24, 2017
    7
    Yeezy himself comes back with 'The Life of Pablo' after a 3 year hiatus and the return is... interesting. 'Yeezus' was an experimental album that a lot of people liked (myself included) and a lot of people disliked. In a lot of ways, TLOP is experimental and doesn't know what it is at time. However, as lone songs this album is incredible - Ultralight Beams is, I would say, Kanyes bestYeezy himself comes back with 'The Life of Pablo' after a 3 year hiatus and the return is... interesting. 'Yeezus' was an experimental album that a lot of people liked (myself included) and a lot of people disliked. In a lot of ways, TLOP is experimental and doesn't know what it is at time. However, as lone songs this album is incredible - Ultralight Beams is, I would say, Kanyes best produced song he's ever made and the gospel feeling is beautiful. TLOP overall is a solid album but it might be difficult for new comers to Kanye to like.1 Expand
  24. Mar 20, 2021
    7
    The Kanye Scrapbook: the album. You are bound to have heard a weighted negative reception of this 2016 staple in relation to his whole discography:"unfinished " "messy" "overstuffed "
    Whilst all those might be true I think they are intentional. "The Life of Pablo" is intended to be living art depicting a dynamic narcissist. It explores many themes with deep irony and contrast,eg.bleached
    The Kanye Scrapbook: the album. You are bound to have heard a weighted negative reception of this 2016 staple in relation to his whole discography:"unfinished " "messy" "overstuffed "
    Whilst all those might be true I think they are intentional. "The Life of Pablo" is intended to be living art depicting a dynamic narcissist. It explores many themes with deep irony and contrast,eg.bleached **** God's love, monogamous marital bliss and then swan dives into looking for the freakest **** out there.
    With just those examples you have enough insight to fortell how the twenty songs will go- thematically. This doesn't veer into predictability. Features ground Ye's ambitions whilst uplifting his production,probably why the best parts arrive at "ultralight beam"&"father stretch my hand ". This collaborative quality makes this album feel less like an actual album than a mixtape . Roughness is what this album does best. A reclaimed wood masterpiece. "Ultralight Beam" delivers on Ye's gospel album announcement. From the adorable slightly precocious sample of a four year old from Instagram to the dream and kanye trying to meditate on peace before kelly price grieves her circumstances alluding to her racial disposition. Chance the Rapper follows suit slyly ,simultaneously dropping one of the best verses of both his life and of a rap feature. Considering this happens in only the first song the second half lag is compensated for. The two part "father stretch my hand" arrives with the then controversial lyric about bleached **** leaving stains and what that makes him but even in surface level foolishness he ponders sexs weight and connective power.
    The auto-tune and pastor Barnett assist create a religous fervour . Family,seems to reoccur in contrast with the pitfalls of fame which interrogate his own duplicity . Production on a Kanye project is never an issue. That's one thing he's always aced. This streak isn't ended here. Graduer,gluttony, hubris and sex coulor each word. From the juxtaposition of a family portrait and an instagram models picture on the artwork to the egotistical suggestion of the title we are given a glips into the warring parts of Kanye the holy man,kanye the husband and kanye the celebrity. On the relentless "Facts" we get him at his most uncomfortable. That might not be apparent based on the lyrics claims and bragging but within this showboating he seems overwhelmed as he goes from discussing Rob then Ray J's misogynistic song about his wife. He seems as if he's trying to remind himself what this all was for. The Kendrick Lamar assist "no parties in l.a" dwells on the consequences of celebrity but the privilege it allows.
    It's understandable if this album underwhelmed fans and critics as it came after the industrial masterpiece Yeezus&black MBDTW,two records which saw a stark departure from the other, like levels on a step leading up. But now Kanye doesn't innovate with this one,not saying he doesn't experiment eg.wolves&i love kanye,but it's things he has done and honed on previous releases. This lack of a new soundscape,erratic rollout and mixtape vibe can make it seemed rushed or over thought but at this time kanye had everything:a to be successful sneaker brand,pop culture juggernaut for a wife and family&relevance. He doesn't need to prove himself like he did on previous records. This is a victory lap he's won enough Olympics to jog through and still get gold. Favourites:father stretch my hand pt1,30hrs,ultralight beam&wolves.
    Expand
  25. Oct 25, 2019
    7
    Pretty good I guess Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  26. Aug 20, 2020
    7
    I liked the album, but IMO, it was a very inconsistent it has some of his best songs to make up for it though
  27. Feb 4, 2022
    7
    Na minha opinião um dos trabalhos mais marcantes da carreira do Kanye ou Ye, aqui podemos ver alguns traços do que veríamos mais para frente em Jesus is King e Donda. Corais grandiosos em algumas faixas, colaborações se encaixando perfeitamente com a vibe do álbum e instrumentais que dão arrepios marcam The Life Of Pablo.

    Meu top 5 faixas: Father Stretch My Hands pt. 1 Famous Wolves
    Na minha opinião um dos trabalhos mais marcantes da carreira do Kanye ou Ye, aqui podemos ver alguns traços do que veríamos mais para frente em Jesus is King e Donda. Corais grandiosos em algumas faixas, colaborações se encaixando perfeitamente com a vibe do álbum e instrumentais que dão arrepios marcam The Life Of Pablo.

    Meu top 5 faixas:
    Father Stretch My Hands pt. 1
    Famous
    Wolves
    Ultralight Beam
    Waves
    Expand
  28. Nov 11, 2020
    6
    There were some great tracks here, up with Kanye's very best tracks. Equally, there is plenty that I just skipped over the first time round and these days when I revisit I just hit the songs I like. The hour or so length of the album is just too patchy especially in a genre that I can take or leave. Ultimately a disappointing follow up to the focused and mercurial "Yeezus".
  29. Feb 21, 2016
    6
    The LIfe of Pablo is produced like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,feels like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but sadly is not as great as My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.Kanye West makes The Life of Pablo strange(as usual) with weird lyrics,the production and the feel.

    The album starts off well with the decent Track Ultralight Beam(Ft. Chance the rapper & Kirk Franklin) which is
    The LIfe of Pablo is produced like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,feels like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but sadly is not as great as My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.Kanye West makes The Life of Pablo strange(as usual) with weird lyrics,the production and the feel.

    The album starts off well with the decent Track Ultralight Beam(Ft. Chance the rapper & Kirk Franklin) which is religious and done well although Kanye is hardly there in his own song with weak lyrics.The album moves on to Father Strecth My Hands Part 1 & 2 which are again decent tracks but not spectacular as Kanye does'nt deliver any powerful lyrics we have come to know him for.Kanye steps up a bit with Famous(FT. Rihanna) which is a good song and the album remains consistent then came the bad song Freestyle 4(FT. Desiigner) which is horribly produced and lazily sung.

    I feel LIfe of Pablo really began in the second half of this album because from the song Waves(FT. Chris Brown) which is one of the best songs in the album starts a good tempo for the rest of the album and Kanye really steps up with great songs like Real Friends(FT. Ty Dolla Sign),Wolves and one of the best song from Kanye West in a while No More Parties in LA(FT. Kendrick Lamar), this song was perfect as Kendrick and Kanye go hand in hand to deliver a great 6 minute song. The album finishes off with the song Fade which was kinda boring.

    One thing i have to talk about is the lyrics to this album.We all know Kanye is a strange human being and some of his lyrics work in this album like in the song Highlights(FT Young Thug) he says [I bet me and Ray J would be friends/If we ain't love the same b*tch/Yeah, he might have hit it first/Only problem is I'm rich] which is gold and then some weird lyrics like in the song Father Stretch My hands Part 1 he says [Now if I f*ck this model/And she just bleached her a**hole/And I get bleach on my T-shirt/I'mma feel like an a**hole]-WEIRD

    Now Life of Pablo is not a bad album,not at all but i think it's not that great compared to his past album as some songs bring this album down this weak Kanye lyrics, some filler and annoying production sounds just when the song is ending like Wolves and FML. In the first half of the album Kanye doesn't really fully commit to this album his lyrics feel weak and lazy and is hardly present as the features do most of the work and the songs he doesn't make the songs go full way as you find that a 3 minute song is sung like in a minute and thirty seconds and the rest of the song is just some weird,annoying sounds. However Kanye
    manages to save this album in the second half with amazing song that should have been like the whole album.

    The best tracks are No more parties in LA(best song), Waves, Ultralight Beam and Real Friends. The worst songs are Fade,Freestyle 4 and 30 Hours. The beast Features are Chance the rapper, Kirk Franklin, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar.Worst Features are Desiigner,Young Thug and Post Malone.

    So is The Life of Pablo a good album,YES but not as good as MBDTF or Yeezus but this ablum is a personal journey for Kanye as he talks about his family, friends,religion and of-course his favorite subject-HIMSELF.The first half of this album may not be great but an enjoyable album at the least.
    Expand
  30. Feb 14, 2016
    6
    This album is more hype than quality. While I agree that Kanye is the most influential rapper of the 2000's, this album is pretty average. It sounds a lot like he's failed to keep it real. It sounds just like if you give a talented rapper a lot of money and fame so he has nothing to talk about anymore. Kanye has never been known for lyrics, this continue as the lyrics on this TLOP are veryThis album is more hype than quality. While I agree that Kanye is the most influential rapper of the 2000's, this album is pretty average. It sounds a lot like he's failed to keep it real. It sounds just like if you give a talented rapper a lot of money and fame so he has nothing to talk about anymore. Kanye has never been known for lyrics, this continue as the lyrics on this TLOP are very average. The second half of this album is where the best is. From Waves to Fade is where the hits are. This album has several average songs, some good songs, and some hits, but no classics. Expand
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. 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.
  2. 60
    There is much to be admired here, rather less to be enjoyed.
  3. Uncut
    Mar 22, 2016
    70
    For better or worse, no-one else is making records quite like this. [May 2016, p.82]