The Sweet Escape
by Gwen Stefani
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. The A.V. Club
    83
    It's the kind of album that drifts through '80s poolside jams and breathy trunk-bump bangers in all the best ways.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    Pharrell Williams' production and Stefani's fizzy personality make for an unexpected Christmas treat.
  3. Playlouder
    80
    This album oozes wackiness.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    75
    There's such effortlessness in the confident pop music making here you get the sense she could keep knocking out hits this way in her sleep.
  6. Prefix Magazine
    70
    Few mainstream artists can hope to produce an album as wonderfully weird as The Sweet Escape.
  7. Dot Music
    70
    There is barely a note here that did not require a degree of bravery and chutzpah.
  8. Billboard
    70
    All spun together it works well, and maybe even better than on the debut. [16 Dec 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Ultimately, Stefani isn't convincing as a dissatisfied diva.
  10. Pitchfork
    65
    One step forward, three steps sideways, one step back, The Sweet Escape continues in Stefani's proud tradition of being caught somewhere between the vanguard and the insipid.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2006
50
#50 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 211 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 211
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 211
  3. Negative: 38 out of 211
  1. Rodkrieg
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    People don’t know anything, this album is great and she sounds better than some other pop trashy female artists out there, she’s betweenPeople don’t know anything, this album is great and she sounds better than some other pop trashy female artists out there, she’s between Madonna and Kylie Minogue...… Full Review »
  2. stephenv
    Dec 13, 2006
    6
    best songs: early winter, 4 in the morning, wonderful life and the sweet escape. worst song: breakin' up.
  3. Annah305
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Gorgeous iconic album, I don't know why people on here have been so negative.
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