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10.0
132315
10.0 |
The Independent
Although much of the music is keyboard-based (with Dion Wardle delivering a relaxed elegance), the romance is heightened by unabashed swells of cello, flute, trumpet and a fantastic gospel choir
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8.0
132316
8.0 |
Evening Standard
This is the star’s most downbeat, intimate collection
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8.0
132317
8.0 |
The FT
The 29-year-old has made an assured third album where he opens his heart and shares the spotlight
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8.0
132318
8.0 |
NME
The south Londoner’s contemplative third studio album features his most mellow and mature moments yet
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8.0
132322
8.0 |
DIY
Patient, spiritual and raw in the aftermath of heartbreak
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8.0
132330
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
There are no runs, no trills, no acrobatics, just a man playing to his strengths and the emotional core of the song
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8.0
132331
8.0 |
The Quietus
Stormzy is aiming to break boundaries both materially and spiritually. He achieves both on this new album
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8.0
132343
8.0 |
The Observer
‘Big Michael’ confronts his heartbreaks and vulnerabilities head-on, while showcasing a host of guest vocalists and beatmakers
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8.0
132354
8.0 |
Clash
The tracks are intimate in theme as well as production, and it might just be Stormzy’s cohesive and coherent project to date
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8.0
132357
8.0 |
Exclaim
Teetering on being too gloomy, Stormzy finds balance on This Is What I Mean and delivers a record with clear intentions and messaging
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8.0
132314
8.0 |
The Guardian
The rapper is still capable of lyrical swagger, political insight and hugely entertaining flexes but his third LP is a musically subtle trawl through his romantic regrets
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7.7
132337
7.7 |
Pitchfork
The UK rapper’s third album is pitched as both a pious expression of worship and an earnest message of self-affirmation—but with plenty of opportunities for flexing along the way
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7.0
132398
7.0 |
Under The Radar
For much of the album, Stormzy hardly lifts his voice above a whisper, like he’s slipping us a note under the door
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7.0
132334
7.0 |
Gigwise
A love letter to his fans
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6.0
132340
6.0 |
musicOMH
One of the most ambitious British rap records ever made proclaims the star’s increased creative freedom from the rooftops, but while the highs are higher than on previous records, the lows are lower too
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6.0
132346
6.0 |
All Music
The release seems like a major personal achievement and he deserves to be proud of it, but there isn't anything here that matches the best tracks on his first two albums
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5.0
132320
5.0 |
Slant Magazine
Far too often, Stormzy sounds crushed under the weight of his own unrelenting seriousness
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