User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Dark Sky Paradise
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Dark Sky Paradise Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 176 Ratings

  • Summary: The third full-length studio release for the Detroit rapper features guest appearances from Jhené Aiko, Chris Brown, Drake, E-40, Ariana Grande, John Legend, Lil Wayne, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Ty Dolla Sign, and Kanye West.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 25, 2015
    83
    A spirited combination of grown-man statement-making and round-the-way bull.
  2. HipHopDX
    Feb 24, 2015
    80
    With Dark Sky Paradise, Big Sean is prepared to leave his mark.
  3. XXL
    Feb 25, 2015
    80
    “One Man” in particular, which deals with the loss of his grandmother and his acceptance of her passing, really underlines what the entire work is about: dealing with the ups and downs in life and figuring out the best way to accept them and move forward. With Dark Sky Paradise, Big Sean has finally found that balan
  4. Consequence
    Feb 25, 2015
    75
    Mostly, though, Dark Sky Paradise is an ambitious, tasteful album from a rapper who’s often viewed as neither.
  5. Exclaim
    Feb 24, 2015
    70
    Big Sean has reached a personal high by finding his Dark Sky Paradise, and it's his honesty that takes listeners there with him.
  6. Spin
    Feb 25, 2015
    60
    More of the same, really, and what same is that anyway? His beats, hooks and musicality tread slightly above water.
  7. Boston Globe
    Feb 24, 2015
    50
    Twice, he wisely enlists Jhene Aiko, who has become rap’s signifier for bruised emotions. Yet the conflicted despondency throughout (“I Know,” “Win Some, Lose Some”) never yields to enlightenment; the results are more murky than dark.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. Holocene
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    Big Sean would be HOT this year. His best yet.

    I found his rap and lyrics more mature, and emotional. Big Sean is dope now, but he is    Big Sean would be HOT this year. His best yet.

    I found his rap and lyrics more mature, and emotional.

    Big Sean is dope now, but he is still growing up. amazing    … Expand
  2. dj_wet_dreamz
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    Man it's some really good songs on this album. He has 5 to 7 singles on this album alone. To be honest I haven't listened to it straightMan it's some really good songs on this album. He has 5 to 7 singles on this album alone. To be honest I haven't listened to it straight through because I keep playing my favorites. I'm giving it a 10 because the songz I play (Research, I know, Play no games, Paradise, and All your Fault) are BANGERS to say the least. I know I supposed to be judging the album but I can't passed these songz. Oh I forget IDFWU on the album too.… Expand
  4. xDiamondxx
    Feb 24, 2015
    10
    Arrasou viado, o álbum tá destruidor principalmente Research (feat com a Ariana Grande), Rihanna e Drake teen estão cada vez mais poderosos,Arrasou viado, o álbum tá destruidor principalmente Research (feat com a Ariana Grande), Rihanna e Drake teen estão cada vez mais poderosos, eles são poderosíssimos.… Expand
  5. bossmanrwat11
    Apr 15, 2015
    8
    Big Sean's best album to date. Very good production overall, has a song that fits pretty much every mood. Great lyrics as well, talks on aBig Sean's best album to date. Very good production overall, has a song that fits pretty much every mood. Great lyrics as well, talks on a variety of different subjects. No significant weaknesses on this album, very good project all around… Expand
  6. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 3, 2015
    7
    Big Sean's best studio effort to date. Based on the single Paradise I expected this to be a classic album, but considering he's Big Sean IBig Sean's best studio effort to date. Based on the single Paradise I expected this to be a classic album, but considering he's Big Sean I think it would have been crazy to make such a huge change. But this album still ends up being a listenable hip hop album, with improved lyrics and flow as well as better production. These add up to a B for me. Highlights: "Paradise", "Blessings", "I Know". Worst song: "Research"… Expand
  7. mc_ryn
    Sep 17, 2015
    6
    Ahhh, Big Sean. Its better than Finally famous and Hall of Fame. Bangers of songs here but very minimal lyricism. He needs to improve theAhhh, Big Sean. Its better than Finally famous and Hall of Fame. Bangers of songs here but very minimal lyricism. He needs to improve the smoothness of his flow and switch up his wordplay to suit. Songs such as Win Some Lose Some and Stay Down, had a great back story but was unBEARABLE to listen to because of his really monotone flow. I believe in him, keep going and improving.… Expand
  8. Baryne
    Feb 25, 2015
    0
    To many feats on this album and too many forgettable songs. This is an LP disguised as an major album.To many feats on this album and too many forgettable songs. This is an LP disguised as an major album. .… Expand

See all 36 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed Album of 2015

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
91 Funeral for Justice - Mdou Moctar
91 Here in the Pitch - Jessica Pratt
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
All Current Music »