4 Your Eyez Only
by J. Cole
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 323 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 255 out of 323
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 323
  3. Negative: 25 out of 323
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  1. HouseOfThrones
    Dec 14, 2016
    9
    This is Cole's most focused and meaningful album yet. He displays a strong narrative, under which he is able to provide a variety of good production and messages. Unlike his previous albums, he does not hop around different topics, which demands further attention from the listener. Having only ten tracks allowed him to minimize filler tracks like in his previous albums. However, he stillThis is Cole's most focused and meaningful album yet. He displays a strong narrative, under which he is able to provide a variety of good production and messages. Unlike his previous albums, he does not hop around different topics, which demands further attention from the listener. Having only ten tracks allowed him to minimize filler tracks like in his previous albums. However, he still has one or two questionable tracks that are not consistent with his narrative or quality of music. In addition, the lack of features again is a short-coming. Cole would have benefited from a singer to amplify the emotion, or a rapper to reaffirm his message. These would be the main reasons to why this album is great, but probably not an instant classic. Hopefully Cole get's that classic in his next attempt.… Expand
  2. ice-cold
    Dec 21, 2016
    8
    Although not perfect, this album has proven to be Cole's most insightful, focused, and groundbreaking album yet. Through the album cover, he already sets a mood for the listener, indicating that the album aims to be more down to earth and personal, rather than hard hitting and bass-filled. His verses, such as in the intro and she's mine pt. 1 & 2, are more personal than those in the past,Although not perfect, this album has proven to be Cole's most insightful, focused, and groundbreaking album yet. Through the album cover, he already sets a mood for the listener, indicating that the album aims to be more down to earth and personal, rather than hard hitting and bass-filled. His verses, such as in the intro and she's mine pt. 1 & 2, are more personal than those in the past, and have the somewhat jazzy yet intimate instrumentals to back it up. This may not be his magnum opus, but for now it is definitely his best project.… Expand
  3. ZJD4
    Dec 17, 2016
    10
    Music at its core is a form of expression and communication, and in this album Cole does a great job of expressing his emotions and getting across a very important message, while still sounding great.
  4. thedaywalker
    Dec 31, 2016
    7
    clearly not his best album, but this is still one of the dopest albums this year, with amazing story telling and some great beats and J.Cole different style of lyrics
  5. djdenzel777
    Mar 24, 2017
    9
    This is a very cohesive project that truly takes the listener on a journey. This is some of Cole's most meaningful work. The whole project is centered around one idea and Cole rarely divulges from the topic at hand. Fantastic album, that is definitely worth listening to all the way through.
  6. Hell_Mell12
    Jan 19, 2020
    8
    Flawless project without reasonable doubt. This is Cole's deepest project, where he dives into the culture and covers highly critical & significant topics from a diverse perspective. This album covers mass incarceration, racism, crime, love, death and the psychology of the average African American male all through the art of storytelling. The album is his most cohesive today, structuredFlawless project without reasonable doubt. This is Cole's deepest project, where he dives into the culture and covers highly critical & significant topics from a diverse perspective. This album covers mass incarceration, racism, crime, love, death and the psychology of the average African American male all through the art of storytelling. The album is his most cohesive today, structured perfectly as it follows the timely life of one of his friends mixed with his own life experiences as well. The production choice is really interesting, Cole uses minimal instrument/sample diversity...which makes the album easier & preferably consumable as a collective. The finale makes the album that much better & puts the remainder of the album in perspective, easily a top ten outro of all-time. As far as lyrics & flow, no complaints in that department as Cole proves he's sharper than ever with tracks like 'Immortal' and '4 Your Eyez Only'.

    NOTE: I can understand not liking the album for a feasible reason, but disliking it because it doesn't sound similar to another project is simply foolish. For proper review of a project you should begin with a clear mind to prevent fogging or default judgement. I also don't get how this isn't as praised as a TPAB when both are full of powerful messages and imagery,    … Expand
  7. MoBamba123
    Nov 24, 2018
    10
    Ahead of his time.
    Better than Kanye's legacy.
    4 Your eyez only is the best R and B album ive listened to in recent years.
  8. derrik1197
    Apr 2, 2021
    10
    Truly an amazing album for whom the bell tolls sets a great scene for the story we're diving into. than to immortal which dives into policy brutality, violence in ones own community, and his friends. The depth of storytelling and emotion or lack there of in some cases is amazing change and 4 your eyez only are top tier cole songs thank you for this amazing piece of work
  9. BeenThinking
    Apr 27, 2021
    10
    Definitely J Cole's best album, truly touching story adn the last track is one of his best songs to me.
  10. daytonatabooywr
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    better than FM! by vince staples which is an album that was released as well
  11. RegenT_A_1300
    Dec 20, 2022
    10
    literally near perfect **** pitchfork, I would pitchfork them if I could xoxoxoxoxoxo
  12. Higashi
    Dec 14, 2016
    10
    In my opinion this is Cole's most cohesive album. Had a consistent sound and a consistent story, and that bore some but I think it works really well here. 4 Your Eyez Only the song might be Cole's best song yet, what a journey that song is.
  13. ILoveRap
    Dec 15, 2016
    10
    This has to be J.Cole's most critically acclaimed album yet. If you give this a good listen, you will actually realize that this has the potential to being a modern day classic. I'm not saying it is already, but time will tell. It is clear that 2Pac influenced the spelling, to which he has been throughout J. Cole's projects. With is
    Handwritten Font which tracks back to his mix tapes days    This has to be J.Cole's most critically acclaimed album yet. If you give this a good listen, you will actually realize that this has the potential to being a modern day classic. I'm not saying it is already, but time will tell. It is clear that 2Pac influenced the spelling, to which he has been throughout J. Cole's projects. With is
    Handwritten Font which tracks back to his mix tapes days of Truly yours. Contrast black and white photo, young black boys as a focal point in the artwork... Could be a coincidence—but the art already shares a lot of themes and vibes with To Pimp A Butterfly. I’m not saying it’s a DIRECT connection but what if this is a SPIRITUAL twin project, so to speak? We never got that joint album but I wonder if what came out of that creative energy now lives on this project.    … Expand
  14. bilbo95
    Dec 15, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That being said, the album is not intended to be heard by a large audience. It is intimate and raw. Following this idea of “eyez,” there is a common theme of perception and perspective on the album (maybe it is even the central theme). The album is nothing short of a message to his daughter in case of his death (the album begins with cassette tape starting and ends with it). The idea is that Cole wants his daughter to know the REAL him in case he dies. I hear it as an audio letter to her.

    So, Cole lays out two personas—the real him and then a fictional friend (I assume fictional). This perception relies heavily on how society views black man-- one perspective is the drug-dealing criminal and the other is himself. Ultimately, he’s telling two interwoven stories—his friend and his own story. They both parallel each other and Cole intends the listener to learn some truth from each story. Cole falls in love, gets married, appreciates the small things in their relationship, deals with racism, and then has a daughter that gives him reason to live. On the other hand, while Cole tells his own story, songs like “Immortal”, “Ville Mentality”, and “Change” simultaneously are from this fictional man’s perspective (I believe Cole names him James). Maybe the man is even the teen from “Adolescence ’03.” These songs refer to the type of man that Cole never became, but witnessed his whole life. He never criticizes the man, but acknowledges the damage caused to him from a flawed system. The man dies at the end of “Change” and leaves his daughter alone. The title song at the end features this man speaking to his daughter as he anticipates his forthcoming death. He provides words of wisdom since he cannot be there to say it as a father.

    In the final verse, Cole reveals that “this perspective is a real one, another lost ‘Ville son.” This implies that the man, James, is fictional and used to contrast his own story. Cole then states his principal purpose saying, “Girl, your daddy was a real **** not cause he was cold, not because he was the first to get some **** twelve years old, not because he used to come through in the Caddy on some vogues, not because he went from bagging up them grams to serving O's. Nah, your daddy was a real **** not 'cause he was hard, not because he lived a life of crime and sat behind some bars, not because he screamed, **** the law" although that was true. Your daddy was a real **** cause he loved you—for your eyes only.”

    I think he recognizes that the number one problem facing the black community, and I believe all communities, is apathy on parents raising their kids. In this case, it is fathers not sticking around to raise their children (most likely flowing from Cole not having a father present in his life). So I think the album, along with a strong discussion of race in America, is basically an effort to reach through and impact parenting.

    I understand why people are disappointed, the album makes zero efforts toward mainstream commercial success, even less than To Pimp a Butterfly. There are no intense beats or disses, instead, it sounds like an audio letter to his daughter. Which is exactly what he intended. Give it some time and I hope you will feel the pure emotion and intensity of this album I do.    … Expand
  15. TheFreeman148
    Dec 16, 2016
    8
    I often regard J. Cole as the best lyrical rapper in the business right now and this album further confirms that. Neighbors, Change, Immortal, and 4 Your Eyez Only are the standouts for me but the rest of the songs are worth a couple listens. The rest is about Love which can kind of get tiring but this album is well worth the listen.
  16. banguza
    Dec 15, 2016
    0
    I just didn't enjoy the album at all. his sound is terrible, he hides in other people stories and truly not commit to showing who he truly his. i only enjoyed the last song
  17. Reagan0
    Dec 16, 2016
    7
    LOL DOUBLE PLATINUM NO FEATURDIFMDSIAODFMSAD

    Where the album really shines is his ambitions. There are incredible twists and turns in it. The things he raps about make me glad for the game, that there's still someone representing a higher cause. Unfortunately, he's never reached their hype with anything significant. His rhyming, flow (with some exception), and concept of storytelling is    LOL DOUBLE PLATINUM NO FEATURDIFMDSIAODFMSAD

    Where the album really shines is his ambitions. There are incredible twists and turns in it. The things he raps about make me glad for the game, that there's still someone representing a higher cause. Unfortunately, he's never reached their hype with anything significant. His rhyming, flow (with some exception), and concept of storytelling is weak by comparison. If he truly lived up to his own homegrown hype he would have skill to match it. No such thing here.    … Expand
  18. tallnorshort
    Dec 20, 2016
    1
    Oh I wish J Cole make music like the old J Cole. This album is a huge disappointment. HUGE! I downloaded this album on Spotify and was looking forward to seeing what I consider the King of the Game right now....now...now he merely a prince. I want the old J Cole back!!! 1/10.
  19. davidofgraft
    Dec 14, 2016
    2
    I don't understand why people think J. Cole is so much deeper than he actually is. On this album, there are some good tracks but there aren't any standout beats or bars. He's just too corny.
  20. jtdamon
    Dec 15, 2016
    7
    '4 Your Eyes Only' Is one of the best rap albums of 2016, both lyrically and production-wise. The story that Cole tells during this project is one we can all appreciate, and keeps you listening throughout. Outside of the few cuts that have nothing to do with his story, some corny and questionable bars, and the fact his perspective jumps around quite a bit, (albeit on purpose) this is'4 Your Eyes Only' Is one of the best rap albums of 2016, both lyrically and production-wise. The story that Cole tells during this project is one we can all appreciate, and keeps you listening throughout. Outside of the few cuts that have nothing to do with his story, some corny and questionable bars, and the fact his perspective jumps around quite a bit, (albeit on purpose) this is definitely his most inspiring effort as an artist. Although it falls short of classic status, it will be noted as one of the more complete works of the year.… Expand
  21. dell221
    Apr 24, 2018
    4
    the worst album easily. neighbors and dejvue are the only things here to even talk about.rest of this **** he's singing and its garbage. he is straight up fooling fans with this no single no features **** he needs more features he needs better beats because this **** ain't it
  22. tommy1607
    Apr 17, 2017
    5
    I was a huge fan of J.Cole prior to this release and was very excited to listen to this. His last work: '2014 Forest Hills Drive' was a solid album with a good blend of storytelling and more conscious messages, and so I had high expectations for this project. The album is a very personal one, with Cole discussing his wife and daughter as well as his fears for the future across the album.I was a huge fan of J.Cole prior to this release and was very excited to listen to this. His last work: '2014 Forest Hills Drive' was a solid album with a good blend of storytelling and more conscious messages, and so I had high expectations for this project. The album is a very personal one, with Cole discussing his wife and daughter as well as his fears for the future across the album. There are also some harder tracks such as 'Immortal' and 'Neighbours' which are solid. However, to put it simply this album is a tad boring and bland when compared to Cole's previous work. Cole is often praised as a great lyricist, but honestly his lyrics are relatively surface level on this project and can't really be interpreted beyond their literal meaning. The beats are relatively uninspired throughout, particularly the rehashed and badly mixed 'Deja Vu' which sounds like a Soundcloud loosie that has just been chucked onto the project. The lowest point of the album is 'Foldin Clothes' which is a genuinely awful song. I feel like Cole still has it in him to release a classic album and this project is by no means terrible, but it is nowhere near as deep as people make it out to be and is very uninteresting at times.… Expand
  23. Trenedey
    Apr 22, 2017
    5
    As someone who wants to see J. Cole succeed in his career, I can only be honest and say this is one of Cole's weakest projects to date. For almost the entire time, I felt like I was going to doze off due to the beats not having a real personality-at some times feeling lifeless-and Cole's delivery seeming uninterested and lacking any urgency. The only song that really caught my attentionAs someone who wants to see J. Cole succeed in his career, I can only be honest and say this is one of Cole's weakest projects to date. For almost the entire time, I felt like I was going to doze off due to the beats not having a real personality-at some times feeling lifeless-and Cole's delivery seeming uninterested and lacking any urgency. The only song that really caught my attention was Neighbors, as I feel that was one of the only points where Cole inserted any real energy. On to of that, the lines on this album range from forgettable, to being corny or just outright bad, some examples like " Baby, I wanna do the right things they Feel so much better than the wrong things" on Foldin' Clothes, or "Every time you go to sleep you look like you in Heaven Plus the head game is stronger than a few Excedrin You shine just like the patent leather on my new 11's You read me like a book like I'm the Bible, you the Reverend" on She's Mine, Pt. 1. And while the album tries to tell a story, a fairly personal one at that in which he is telling the daughter of one of his friends the story of her father, it feels very scattered, with some song seeming to have no real connection to the story(eg. Neighbors) and it only really comes together of the final track due to the high amount of detail he puts into it-detail that could have been used on the 9 preceding tracks to help build the story-and leaves the listener in what I can only call a state of dissatisfaction. To end what may seem as a semi long winded rant, I want to reiterate: I want to see J. Cole succeed. It is plainly obvious that he has the ability and talent to do so, but I feel like he has been unable to do that with his art due to what I feel is not putting in his full effort, and him becoming to comfortable with a style and sound that he has already done to death. All I can hope for is that Cole does something truly unique and new for him on his new album and that he puts all his effort into it. Otherwise, I feel like I, along with other, will start to pay less and less attention when he drops a new project.… Expand
  24. Connorcox1997
    Feb 20, 2019
    10
    OH MY GOD, what an fantastic album, I loved 4 Your Eyez Only. It is a masterpiece from J Cole. I loved the sad theme Production in the album, I even loved all the songs on the album. What a way to close out 2016. I highly recommended it.
  25. supsbro
    Sep 22, 2020
    10
    yes.yes.
    ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    … Expand
  26. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    8
    this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8
  27. DavidV293
    Dec 22, 2016
    8
    It's different but yet somehow enjoyable and artistic in some ways. He talks about a personal life while you jump from song to song you'll hear a connection between all of them. It's not J. Coles best but it surely has the lyrics you expect from this certain rapper.
  28. homer4president
    Jan 12, 2017
    7
    Lyrically wise, it was AMAZING. It was very deep and touched on many subjects that rappers nowadays dont talk about. However, I couldn't really vibe with any of the songs. Deja Vu was probably my favorite song out of the album. Disappointed with the production but pleased with the lyrics.
  29. Epik_Ninnja
    Aug 13, 2017
    7
    This album carries a story from song to song like few albums do, offering something that's definitely worth a listen. However, I only genuinely like about half the songs on the album. Given that, my score might seem too high but I suppose J. Cole deserves some extra credit for being different than the horde of rappers who put out the same old shallow songs. It's not my favorite album byThis album carries a story from song to song like few albums do, offering something that's definitely worth a listen. However, I only genuinely like about half the songs on the album. Given that, my score might seem too high but I suppose J. Cole deserves some extra credit for being different than the horde of rappers who put out the same old shallow songs. It's not my favorite album by him but it's still pretty good and even though I didn't care for a number of the songs on it, I'd give it a 6.5/10.… Expand
  30. NikkiLee1999
    Mar 15, 2017
    10
    J. Cole's best work. He's shown an incredible amount of growth since his last project. Finally a well rounded Cole project with some real cohesion throughout the album.
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Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2016
40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Wire
    Jan 27, 2017
    60
    Cutting through the tedium reveals a moderately engaging narrative of low level criminality with solid insights ranging from the cloying to mildly provocative. [Feb 2017, p.59]
  2. PopMatters
    Jan 17, 2017
    80
    He has matured into a one of the most important figures in modern hip hop and 4 Your Eyez Only is the evidence of this.
    Read full review
  3. Slant Magazine
    Jan 10, 2017
    60
    4 Your Eyez Only‘s low-key production, favoring muted live-band grooves, occasionally reaches a boil, but mostly it provides scaffolding for Cole to rap. He does the heavy lifting without ever doing anything flashy--or, some might say, anything especially interesting.
    Read full review
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