True to Self
by Bryson Tiller
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: May 26, 2017
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
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  1. XXL
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    True to Self may fall short in terms of being a showcase of Bryson Tiller’s maturation, but wins in terms of its aesthetic and addictive refrains.
  2. Pitchfork
    Jun 14, 2017
    66
    He struggles to let his guard down, and ironically, operates best when he keeps it up. Tiller comes off not as the passionate lover, but as the sappy everyman—too bland and full of tropes to be the new hero pouring his heart out in a thunderstorm.
  3. Clash Music
    Jul 19, 2017
    60
    ‘Run Me Dry’ plays a la mode with a loose dembow rhythm, but, as with the rest of the album, there are plenty of others out there who’ve not only done this already but done it more engagingly.
  5. AllMusic
    Jun 29, 2017
    60
    On the surface, Tiller still gives off that wallflower baller vibe; the brashness of the debut largely remains. The lack of connection made on the one stylistic shake-up--the lightly jutting "Run Me Dry," a cousin of Rihanna's "Work" and Drake's "One Dance"--suggests that Tiller will likely be better off continuing to refine the sound for which he's known.
  6. Exclaim
    Jun 14, 2017
    60
    It makes in confident swagger what it lacks in memorable hooks, but at 19 tracks, it's too imbalanced and stuffed to be considered a classic.
  7. Spin
    Jun 14, 2017
    40
    Tiller thinly stretches himself to 19 tracks with no added dimension. It ultimately amounts to a checklist for Broke Boys-turned-Hurt Boys, with Tiller listlessly ticking the boxes.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. clem666
    Mar 19, 2021
    3
    Far from being offensive of totally unlistenable I think 'True To Self' has one of the worst flaw an album can actually have: to be empty andFar from being offensive of totally unlistenable I think 'True To Self' has one of the worst flaw an album can actually have: to be empty and useless. From start to finish, Bryson Tiller displays the same poor writing skills, a consistently unoriginal tone of voice and singing, and a terribly predictable artistic approach. In this one-hour long project he simply can't prevent himself to perfectly fit in the main category of R&B artists. Even if the overall production is far from being bad Bryson Tiller absolutely fails at showcasing anything new and fresh. And he doesn't fear to sing just like any other mellow R&B artist especially in 'Something Tells Me' and 'Teach Me A Lesson' in which you can respectively hear 23 and 20 times the word 'baby'. I however have to recognize the fact that he managed not to put this magic word in several songs in 'True To Self'. Unfortunately that is the only positive thing I can highlight in this whole project. It's really surprising to realise that this album offers nothing to think about on its own. I guess you're just supposed to listen to it while doing anything else simple.… Full Review »
  2. davidofgraft
    Jul 2, 2017
    4
    It's okay. A couple really catchy (and sometimes great) songs, such as "Somethin Tells Me" and "Don't Get Too High". But even at his bestIt's okay. A couple really catchy (and sometimes great) songs, such as "Somethin Tells Me" and "Don't Get Too High". But even at his best moments, Bryson Tiller is a carbon copy of petty Drake and probably won't ascend above that, as evidenced by each one of the 19 songs (19 songs! Why so many?!) on this album.… Full Review »
  3. YT_Guyyy
    Jun 30, 2017
    4
    A friend suggested me a few of his songs. I liked them a bit, so I gave this a shot. Wasn't all that good. It was rather boring. Not anythingA friend suggested me a few of his songs. I liked them a bit, so I gave this a shot. Wasn't all that good. It was rather boring. Not anything all that original. I don't suggest it unless you want some OK R&B trap.… Full Review »
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