Blood
by Lianne La Havas
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jul 31, 2015
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Clash Music
    Aug 17, 2015
    60
    Lianne La Havas has grown up, branched out, written some devastatingly honest songs, and presented a highly competent album.
  2. The Observer (UK)
    Aug 3, 2015
    60
    The feather-light touch of La Havas’s voice can be deceptive; for all her apparent ease, there are sufficient quirks and depths to her writing, not least the scientific analogies on Wonderful (electricity) and Unstoppable (astrophysics).
  3. The Guardian
    Jul 30, 2015
    60
    A gorgeous voice, let down slightly by tame songwriting.
  5. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jul 27, 2015
    60
    The best of the album is so fantastic it makes me want more from the rest.... Yet there is something tepid about the overall emotional temperature.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Jul 24, 2015
    60
    Blood is front-loaded: I can’t think of another album that follows such a relentlessly downward course, all but giving up the ghost completely on the insipid closer “Good Goodbye”. But the opening three songs are aces.
  7. Q Magazine
    Jul 23, 2015
    60
    Blood is all about accentuating the positives, an ambitious and assured album that refuses to move any direction but up. [Aug 2015, p.105]
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  8. Mojo
    Jul 23, 2015
    60
    Blood proves to be another mixed bag. [Aug 2015, p.92]
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  9. Chicago Tribune
    Jul 28, 2015
    50
    Rather than a personal statement, the music becomes an exercise in smoothness. Even La Havas' vocal power plays don't translate as an emotional imperative so much as a pop formula.
  10. NOW Magazine
    Jul 30, 2015
    40
    Blood struggles to shift out of platitude territory with lyrics fixated on horizons, stars and sunsets, and it soon becomes apparent that La Havas is content not to go much deeper than vague universalism requires.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 53
  3. Negative: 1 out of 53
  1. thaleslucas
    Aug 1, 2015
    9
    Close to be a perfect album, "Blood" comes like a big job from Lianne La Havas.

    Maybe it can't be so good like "Is Your Love A Big    Close to be a perfect album, "Blood" comes like a big job from Lianne La Havas.

    Maybe it can't be so good like "Is Your Love A Big Enough?", but it brings a Lianne mature and very stronger, a new and grew woman. The album is so professional and a little bit homogenic, but still amazing.

    Tracks like "Unstoppable", "Tokyo", "Midnight" and "Grow" make the album go high and hit an amazing power and glory. But... It keeps a little boring in some tracks like "Wonderful" and "Never Get Enough".

    At last, finally Lianne came back to us. She deserve more success.    … Full Review »
  2. mabernethy
    Jul 31, 2015
    8
    Lianne La Havas is a breath of fresh air. Her music joyful, poised, and classy, and her strong songwriting -- filled with clever metaphors andLianne La Havas is a breath of fresh air. Her music joyful, poised, and classy, and her strong songwriting -- filled with clever metaphors and allegories -- is anchored by her feathery voice. The whole album floats along effortlessly. Even the bossa nova freakout, "Never Get Enough," is daring without being showy. Blood is a throwback album and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life.… Full Review »
  3. HoldOn
    Aug 1, 2015
    10
    Amazing vocals and lyrics!! This album is really a great evolution from Lianne La Havas. By so far, this is the best of her... Cause wonderfulAmazing vocals and lyrics!! This album is really a great evolution from Lianne La Havas. By so far, this is the best of her... Cause wonderful song is on this.

    Favorite tracks: "Green & Gold", "Grow" & "Unstoppable". ♥    … Full Review »
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