Dec 10, 2016

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...z-only-review-unsparing-unflinching-raptivism

Post reviews as they come.

 

Dec 10, 2016

First!!

 

Dec 10, 2016

Second!!

 

Dec 10, 2016

Third!!!

 

Dec 10, 2016

i think pearce makes a bit of a leap in casting a song like "immortal" as activism, but that's a pretty well-written review.

 

Dec 10, 2016

oh, and:

 

Dec 12, 2016

This is my own personal review. You don't have to share it or anything but feedback is more than welcome!

https://amarudynasty.com/2016/12/12/album-review-j-cole-x-4-your-eyez-only/

 

Dec 12, 2016

A good album when you listen start to finish. But I like bangers and this album doesn't really have any imo. For example, when I'm chilling and I want to play some J. Cole, i'll go to Born Sinner and play songs off Born Sinner like Villuminati, Rich N*ggaz & New York Times cause those songs go hard... 4YEO & 2014 FHD are both great when I listen to the whole album, but there's no songs i'd just play to listen once and move on to another song

 

Dec 13, 2016

Since there's a review thread, might as well post here. Here's mine (I review albums regularly btw).

 

Dec 13, 2016

Waitin for Quint and DEHH reviews

 

Dec 13, 2016

Quint hasn't been posting as frequently like he used to, but I always look forward to his reviews no matter who the artist is. and hopefully DEHH reviews it by next week.

 

Dec 14, 2016

Exclaim Review: 9/10
http://exclaim.ca/music/article/j_cole-4_your_eyez_only

New York Times praised the album as one of the year's best
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/arts/music/j-cole-4-your-eyez-only-review.html

 

Dec 15, 2016

ABC NEWS 3.5 out of 4

J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” ***1/2
Listening to J. Cole’s fourth album, “4 Your Eyez Only,” it is evident that he is going for more of a low-key, stripped-down approach this time around. The jazzy opener, “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and “Vile Mentality” speak to larger, artier aspirations, even if his songs still maintain a lyrically coarse toughness. But in essence, this is Cole’s chill-out, mature record.

In 2016, it is evident that hip-hop is at a turning point, with a number of releases hitting a “Golden Age”-esque sensibility. This isn’t quite Cole’s classic record yet, but you can tell that he’s aiming for the climb and that such a record is in his sights. Listening to the hushed vulnerability of “She’s Mine Pt. 1” and “She’s Mine Pt. 2,” you can definitely hear that Cole is switching up his sound. These are tender reflections of a new father, just happy to talk to his child and try to give her the best life he can. There’s a verse in part two that nails the Christmas season for its commercialism and really sticks its points.

This album definitely has its own sound and while the pace gets particularly lifted on the key standout, “Change,” this album is full of a sense of calm, even as Cole drops lines about friends and family falling victim to acts of violence. He raps on “Neighbors” about how “The neighbors think I’m selling dope,” over a lush but skeletal beat, while still maintaining a nonchalant energy.

Cole’s last album, “2014 Forest Hills Drive” was also on the downbeat side as an album, but this record takes that approach that much further. It’s a sound he’s apparently honing.

Like all of Cole’s records, this isn’t for the faint of heart, but that probably goes without saying. “4 Your Eyez Only” is a gritty but musically sophisticated offering that shows Cole as one of his generation’s biggest hopes. “4 Your Eyez Only” continues to show J. Cole as one of hip-hop’s growing voices.

Focus Tracks:

“Change” Easily, this is the best and brightest track on the record with Cole getting on the set’s best flow. This track has momentum as Cole drops thought-provoking verses.

“4 Your Eyez Only” Sadly, the title track has nothing to do with James Bond or Sheena Easton. Rather, this is an 8-minute reflection on the everyday struggles of hustling and surviving. Cole’s imagery is vivid and the bassline rumbles in the background, underneath, giving the track a Marvin Gaye “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” kind of sensibility.

“Folding Clothes” This is a funky, bluesy workout, finding Cole halfway rapping and halfway singing over a groovy, earthy beat. This is a hard-working and rewarding love song about modern domesticity.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/music-reviews-neil-young-jcole-maria-taylor/story?id=44191265

 

Dec 15, 2016

J. Cole addresses race in America with ‘4 Your Eyez Only’

J. Cole’s new album, 4 Your Eyez Only, was released this week with little publicity (only one tweet from Cole himself), yet songs from the album instantly rose to the tops of the charts. 4 Your Eyez Only is Cole’s fourth studio album, and it is a major deviation from his extremely popular last album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, and not in a bad way. It defines rap activism, with Cole spinning a beautiful and heartbreaking story of the struggles of a black man in modern America.

Unlike this new album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive had a broader appeal for a mass audience, with smooth R&B and songs to sing along to. “Wet Dreamz” and “No Role Modelz” are instantly recognizable in any club and drew a massive fan base for Cole. The album earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album, and countless other awards.

This is why it’s surprising that the new songs are already topping the charts: 4 Your Eyez Only is based on a very specific experience, genre, and its lyrical content is very depressing; however, even with such little publicity, the album was hyped by the Internet and excited fans who have waited more than two years for new music from Cole.

The narrative of 4 Your Eyez Only is not wholly unique in the rap genre: the story of a black man’s life in America. However, it isn’t told from Cole’s perspective, but rather that of another man. This album takes the listener on a track-by-track journey of a black man’s experience of growing up in our nation, from encountering ghetto violence at a young age, suffering inescapable racial prejudices in real life and in the media and dealing with death and mortality. He also discusses falling in love and having a child, which provides a source of levity for the album because after all, not everything in life is tragic. Cole proves to be a beautiful storyteller and avoids repetitive lyrics and choruses.

For Cole, this album isn’t about radio hits, and it’s certainly not filled with the upbeat tempos found in 2014 Forest Hills Drive. It isn’t full of songs you blast at a party, or even songs you might choose to listen to with a group. 4 Your Eyez Only is personal for Cole and his fans alike. It’s one of those albums to listen to with earbuds in and get lost in the lyrics. The beats are not new and innovative like the rhythms of 2014 Forest Hills Drive, but the poetic narrative is a story worth your time. Give Cole a chance with this unique album.



http://www.dailyemerald.com/2016/12/15/j-cole-addresses-race-america-4-eyez/

 

Dec 15, 2016

This is my first review