Ye
by Kanye West
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1222 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 889 out of 1222
  2. Mixed: 142 out of 1222
  3. Negative: 191 out of 1222

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. adidon
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    Much more focused than TLOP and the production is some of Kanye's very best work. From the haunting opening track to the masterfully constructed Ghost Town, this is far and away the best album of the year thus far. He is able to say everything he needs to in the 7 tracks and is perhaps the most intimate, vulnerable Ye we have ever seen. Even more so than 808s and it works brilliantly in this case.
  2. vrildox
    Jun 5, 2018
    10
    Ghost Town is an opus. The fact that Kanye is smart enough to sign 070 Shake and put her on a track is proof that he hasn't lost his ear for perfect music. People can bag on him all they want dude sold a half a millions worth of sweatshirts in 30 minutes. Kanye isn't just a musical genius he is a fashion icon. He is the closest thing this world has to a modern day Da Vinci. King of MusicGhost Town is an opus. The fact that Kanye is smart enough to sign 070 Shake and put her on a track is proof that he hasn't lost his ear for perfect music. People can bag on him all they want dude sold a half a millions worth of sweatshirts in 30 minutes. Kanye isn't just a musical genius he is a fashion icon. He is the closest thing this world has to a modern day Da Vinci. King of Music as far as I see it.… Expand
  3. maadcity
    Jun 2, 2018
    7
    This album isn't as over the place and sporadic as TLOP, neither is it as complete and masterful as MBDTF. Sampling feels lacklustre (Aside from the Slick Rick sample which made me have a little fanboy orgasm midway through No Mistakes), the lyrical content isn't nearly as wince-worthy and gut wrenching as TLOP but some lines did leave a pit in my stomach like I just ate a dodgy Indian theThis album isn't as over the place and sporadic as TLOP, neither is it as complete and masterful as MBDTF. Sampling feels lacklustre (Aside from the Slick Rick sample which made me have a little fanboy orgasm midway through No Mistakes), the lyrical content isn't nearly as wince-worthy and gut wrenching as TLOP but some lines did leave a pit in my stomach like I just ate a dodgy Indian the night before. The beats that kanye has cooked up this year are the highlight of this album in my opinion, almost feels like hes in his element like on some past projects. Highlights of the album are I Thought About Killing You, Ghost Town and Violent Crimes. All Mine is my least favourite Kanye track ever released, yes I did enjoy Send It Up and On Sight from the Yeezus album more than this mess of a song. Overall I feel better about the Kid Cudi collaboration now, just dont say anything about that orange man with all the money alright? Cool… Expand
  4. RollEC
    Jun 2, 2018
    7
    It's not the best, but it's not the worst either. I expected to really hate this album, however, I found myself listening to it a couple of times. Some songs are really catchy and memorable. I personally love Yikes and I thought about killing you. Ghost Town is the highlight of the album

    a solid 7/10.
  5. A7sus4
    Jun 6, 2018
    8
    Fantastic front to back. Raw, open, honest, and soulful as hell. Ye delivers. Favorites: Wouldn't Leave, No Mistakes, Ghost Town.
  6. Greyking
    Jun 5, 2018
    9
    "I hate being bi-polar it awesome." Just like this sentence, from start to finish Ye is a complicated messy ode to being complicated and messy. And after all, that's what life is about even when you aren't clinically diagnosed. I'm not a Kanye fan but I found this self-exploration haunting and masterful.
  7. manahe
    Oct 30, 2019
    8
    Great album, its tracks connect with you emotionally, and can successfully change your feelings positively. Furthermore, Kanye shows his audience that you can make magic with only 7 tracks.
  8. NateFisher22
    Jun 2, 2018
    9
    It's a beautiful work, especially the last few tracks. A little self-indulgent, but hasn't that always been like him?
  9. dodoless1
    May 12, 2019
    8
    Kanye didn't surprise me and he did great job on this album. Every single track is literally piece of art.
  10. FromKanga
    Jun 10, 2018
    8
    Great album, say what you want about Kanye West but he does have talent.
    Every track is interesting and I just wanted to hear more, after I finished this album I just listened to it again. You can tell Kanye is not happy from hearing this album, even if he has an ego he does critize himself.
    I don't like Kanye as a person but I do love him as an artist, he's my favorite rapper and I    Great album, say what you want about Kanye West but he does have talent.
    Every track is interesting and I just wanted to hear more, after I finished this album I just listened to it again. You can tell Kanye is not happy from hearing this album, even if he has an ego he does critize himself.

    I don't like Kanye as a person but I do love him as an artist, he's my favorite rapper and I hope he makes another album soon.    … Expand
  11. AkumaJack
    Jun 8, 2018
    8
    Not on the same level of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but still a great album full of DRAGON ENERGY by Kanye.
    A lot calmer and slower imo, but tender and introspective.
  12. Andremax
    Aug 20, 2018
    7
    Solid, brief and nice-to-listening. Interesting album. Who's not a Kayne West's fan probably will listening full album and think its nice.
  13. Fruit_Dragon
    Aug 9, 2018
    8
    A journey inside the body of Kanye's mind, we see a wholesome, frightened individual who, like us, is riddled with problems. Layered by beautiful production pieces, especially from the likes of the track Ghost Town, this is simply another wonderful addition to Kanye's discography.
  14. mattinhux
    Jun 3, 2018
    10
    passando para deixar meu 10 ao icone. 7 faixas que pisam no the life of pablo com 20
  15. Mikey10
    Jun 1, 2018
    7
    It's every bit as self-indulgent as TLOP but without the stunners and extremely lacking in substance. The production is the only thing that will make me want to return. I Thought About Killing You is as ridiculous as its title (yet saved by the production), All Mine is downright terrible, Ghost Town is half of a good song (the parts without Kanye), Wouldn't Leave reiterates Kanye's beliefIt's every bit as self-indulgent as TLOP but without the stunners and extremely lacking in substance. The production is the only thing that will make me want to return. I Thought About Killing You is as ridiculous as its title (yet saved by the production), All Mine is downright terrible, Ghost Town is half of a good song (the parts without Kanye), Wouldn't Leave reiterates Kanye's belief that slavery was a "choice" but is about him acting so ridiculous knowing Kim won't leave. It's a bizarre love song of sorts, again saved by the production. Yikes is good despite some terrible lyrics, and Violent Crimes throws a curveball by ending a fairly reprehensible album (lyrically) on a very sentimental note. More lows than highs in terms of Kanye's vocals and lyrical content, but the production saves this album from being a complete disaster.

    It just doesn't stack up to his other three albums this decade. Where Daytona doesn't waste a minute of its short run time, Ye does just that with two exceptions. These songs feel undercooked, and not because of the spare production, which is one of its saving graces.    … Expand
  16. CORNROWKENNY
    Jun 6, 2018
    7
    With only seven tracks and a runtime of 24 minutes, "ye" doesn't feel as all over the places as "The Life of Pablo" did, but maybe that's just because its minimal length doesn't allow it to.
    It does, however, feel as unfinished as TLOP at some points. This also shouldn't come as a surprise, and maybe it's part of a so called concept, since the album reportedly was made in just a month.    With only seven tracks and a runtime of 24 minutes, "ye" doesn't feel as all over the places as "The Life of Pablo" did, but maybe that's just because its minimal length doesn't allow it to.
    It does, however, feel as unfinished as TLOP at some points. This also shouldn't come as a surprise, and maybe it's part of a so called concept, since the album reportedly was made in just a month.
    There are plenty of half-baked ideas and lazy lyrics on here, so one would wish that West for once wouldn't have done justice to his self-imposed deadline (a deadline he'd given himself before even starting on the album).
    On the other hand, it's also fascinating to look at this project (can you call this an album?) as the result of a single month, a single, troubled point in time in Wests life and career. He addresses his mental health, his family and the impact his behaviour had on them in standout tracks such as the beautiful "Wouldn't leave".
    Unfortunately, there are also plenty of cringeworthy Kanye West lyrics on here. His handling of the TMZ situation seems childish and doesn't add anything useful to the discussion, nor is it funny. It makes the listener feel glad that West doesn't dwell on the whole Trump situation that much. There's also a track about infidelity, which thematically seems a bit ouf of place, as do the bars about drugs on "Yikes".
    His lyrics on the closer "Violent Crimes", which is beautifully produced, are heartfelt, but also old-fashioned in their "I-respect-women-now-that-I-have-a-daughter" sentiments. Implying that all men are monsters and his daughter needs protection doesn't help either. Still, it seems very genuine. The track features 070 Shake, a GOOD Music newcomer who also appears on "Ghost Town", another standout track, mostly due to her performance.
    Other features include Kid Cudi, Ty Dolla Sign, John Legend, Jeremih, Charlie WIlson and PARTYNEXTDOOR, who delivers a fantastic vocal performance on "Wouldn't Leave".
    The opening track is also very interesting: West displays murder fantasies, and it's not quite clear who they're aimed at (his wife? himself?). He delivers a lengthy monologue over a gourgeous, minimalistic piece of production, before he actually starts rapping and the beat switches.
    Some might say that this unfocused nature of the lyrics, as well as the minimalistic and unfinished production actually play into the theme of the album. Kanye seems to embrace his fragile mental state, he proclaims his bipolar-disorder, which he was supposedly diagnosed with, as his "super power". Others might say that you can't pass off short and unfinished work as a "concept".
    The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, as "ye" brings us all the highs and lows we've come to expect from Kanye West in recent years. It features some very beautiful and humane moments, and the production is mostly very good, but the whole thing seems flushed out to quick. The "short album" thing doesn't work as well as it did with Pusha T's razor-sharp "DAYTONA", and "ye", despite it's moments of past greatness, feels like it's just too little, too late.    … Expand
  17. zootsuit
    Jun 5, 2018
    10
    Very good music. Ye is growing up a bit. Calls it like he sees it. Very catchy.
  18. Gkirkman
    Jun 1, 2018
    8
    It’s an album that’s feel like the highest of high to the lowest of Lows. It’s like a bipolar episode. I think it feels rushed and hard to listen to sometimes. But overall it’s raw and powerful and makes you feel his emotion on a very human level.
  19. Foam_Banana
    Jun 3, 2018
    8
    This album really grew on me in pretty dramatically over the course of 24 hours. What seemed chaotic and disjointed on the first few listens now sounds elegantly and precisely put together. I don't know if i will feel like it is a 10 tomorrow
  20. MintyFresh247
    Jun 2, 2018
    8
    Although this album is VERY short, each song has its place in it and (as always) has Kanye's fantastic production. None of the tracks feel unnecessary and there's something here for everyone. Only downside I find is the lack of at least one track with some lyrical depth (similar to TLOP at least)
  21. yeezyyeezy
    Jun 3, 2018
    10
    Focused. Finished. Fantastic. Address his life, his family, his love for his daughters. Beautiful, original, a true masterpiece.
  22. jamerton18
    Jun 3, 2018
    9
    "ye" is a short but brilliant escape into the mind of Kanye West's chaotic genius, where listeners receive his most intimate and refreshing sound yet. West put himself, his drug addiction, his mental illness, his family, or his recent controversial outburst at the forefront of each song, in which he does not request listeners forgive him, rather that listeners hear him. The production on"ye" is a short but brilliant escape into the mind of Kanye West's chaotic genius, where listeners receive his most intimate and refreshing sound yet. West put himself, his drug addiction, his mental illness, his family, or his recent controversial outburst at the forefront of each song, in which he does not request listeners forgive him, rather that listeners hear him. The production on the album is perfect, as usual, with only a couple cheesy lyrics, particularly on the song "All Mine that are bound to appear on every album he releases. The only downside is the length of certain songs, like "No Mistakes", that felt to short for such great production and sampling and the heartfelt but overall forgettable "Wouldn't Leave" .
    Favorite Song: Ghost Town (fantastic message built into an incredibly organized set of features and production that rivals with the likes of "Runaway" and "Ultralight Beam")
    Least Favorite Song: Wouldn't Leave (see above)
    Overal Score: 9/10    … Expand
  23. alemzee
    Jun 3, 2018
    9
    In Kanye's most personal album to date, Ye's tracks echo his deepest vulnerabilities - his bipolar disorder (I Thought About Killing You & Yikes), his opioid addiction (Ghost Town), and his family (All Mine, No Mistakes, Violent Crimes). Ye is West's most coherent body of work since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and is reminiscent of his 2010 magnum opus. Sample heavy, Ye's richIn Kanye's most personal album to date, Ye's tracks echo his deepest vulnerabilities - his bipolar disorder (I Thought About Killing You & Yikes), his opioid addiction (Ghost Town), and his family (All Mine, No Mistakes, Violent Crimes). Ye is West's most coherent body of work since My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and is reminiscent of his 2010 magnum opus. Sample heavy, Ye's rich production shines on glorious tracks like Ghost Town, where Kid Cudi and Mike Dean deliver one of Kanye's best-ever tracks. The entire album has multiple elements: the modern trap of TLOP (2016), choirs and Mike Dean guitar of MBDTF (2010), rich synths of 808s (2008) and LR (2005). Lyrically, this project is stronger and more introspective than The Life of Pablo. Ye has moments of brilliance where Kanye recaps his struggles with addiction and bipolar disorder, calling it his "superpower". On the flip-side, Ye also has a few cringy moments, most notably being Kanye's second verse on "All Mine." I'm afraid that Kanye's jarring political comments in the recent months might skew some reviews, but make no mistake, Kanye has given us a very solid album. (8.6/10)… Expand
  24. HumorousAirWay
    Jun 4, 2018
    8
    The album sounds good. The production is flawless. It's a mix-up of RNB and Hip Hop, with other artists in. Very cool!
  25. jchrobson4
    Jun 4, 2018
    8
    I went from loving the album upon first listen, to thinking it was mediocre, to appreciating it again. It sounds like a more complete and higher quality TLOP to me, which is disappointing to a degree because what makes many of Kanye's albums so good to me is his how he is is constantly changing the sound. Regardless, it sounds amazing and has quality lyrical content most of the time. II went from loving the album upon first listen, to thinking it was mediocre, to appreciating it again. It sounds like a more complete and higher quality TLOP to me, which is disappointing to a degree because what makes many of Kanye's albums so good to me is his how he is is constantly changing the sound. Regardless, it sounds amazing and has quality lyrical content most of the time. I love getting an insight into his mind and every track on this album provides us wit that. There is no bad song on here and Yikes, All Mine and Ghost Town are personal favourites. Perhaps the only fairly lackluster song would be Wouldn't Leave, but even then its still a great song. Overall I would say keep listening because your opinion on the album might change like mine did. I would give it an 8-8.5/10.… Expand
  26. nielsfregerslev
    Jun 6, 2018
    9
    While in no way the same kind of maximalist musical experience as 'MBDTF' or' Yeezus', 'ye' is an extremely personal and emotional album fra Kanye West with very genuine commentrary on his mental condition and his love for his family. It sometimes feels a little flawed by how fast it was put together, but other than a few places where it sounds like kanye straight up didn't have time toWhile in no way the same kind of maximalist musical experience as 'MBDTF' or' Yeezus', 'ye' is an extremely personal and emotional album fra Kanye West with very genuine commentrary on his mental condition and his love for his family. It sometimes feels a little flawed by how fast it was put together, but other than a few places where it sounds like kanye straight up didn't have time to finished a lyric, this feeling of the album being rushed also gives it a deep sense of intimacy. Both lyrically and musically a such less extreme statement than ye's post 'college' albums but with extraordinarily beatiful instrumentation and vocals from 070 Shake, Ty Dolla Sign and John Legend.… Expand
  27. Reesy
    Jun 25, 2018
    8
    This album is very good at showing us the "new Kanye", the Kanye which stands on the edge of insanity and firmly on top of the game. While the message can seem confusing at first, the more you listen the more it makes sense. Kanyeis a musical genius and this was just a side to him that many people weren't expecting.
  28. Shaymooose
    Sep 7, 2019
    8
    This is just such a REAL album.

    Best Tracks: Ghost Town, Yikes, I Thought About Killing You, Violent Crimes, Wouldn't Leave
    Worst Tracks: All Mine
  29. jacobfurness
    Sep 29, 2019
    8
    A great project that focuses more on Kanye's mental struggles than it does his egotistical side.
  30. Lleay
    Oct 14, 2019
    8
    The simplistic title and cover art really summarize the album. The beats are simplistic and the songs are straight to the point. Kanye shows his vulnerable side by talking about his thoughts and his bi-polar syndrome. Ye is a short and easy to listen to album. It's a shame critics rate this album so badly.
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2018
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. RapReviews.com
    Oct 8, 2018
    60
    ye is an average album with some good songs, some bad songs, and some songs that will clearly be spun millions of times. The problem is that "average" has never been good enough for Kanye West nor should it be.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Jul 26, 2018
    60
    For all his power as a motivating force it’s perhaps inevitable that Ye proves weakest of the first four. Left to his own devices West sounds bewildered, somewhere between awe and exhaustion. [Aug 2018, p.63]
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 15, 2018
    50
    Ye can feel uneven, sometimes boring, and more indulgent than usual, but it's a fascinating peek into West's psyche.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »