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CRITIC REVIEWS
100
Though I would rarely say a record slaps in a review, .Paak delivers so consistently on this record that it’s one of the most accurate ways to describe how great this record feels.
11mo
84
It may not be as beautifully consistent as Malibu, but during those glorious pinnacles when Oxnard is firing on all cylinders, it’s undeniably some of the best music of 2018.
11mo
80
Post-mainstream breakthrough, ‘Oxnard’ is a deft dissection of the fallout, just as free-ranging and hopeful as you’d imagine.
11mo
80
The third instalment under .Paak’s name motors north up the California coast to his native Oxnard, top down, throwing out grooves and hosting an array of intriguing guest spots.
11mo
80
It may not be quite the full-marks classic he’d hoped, but Oxnard is an intriguing next step for the 2016 XXL Freshman that demands repeat listening and hints that he may have a Blueprint in him yet.
11mo
80
Despite its adherence to the new school of West Coast Funk, and despite .Paak’s brilliant performance as MC – Oxnard does not feel like it will have the staying power of 1993’s Doggystyle, 2005’s The Documentary, or Kendrick’s DAMN. Still, this album bumps.
11mo
80
Oxnard has a stronger sense of direction than its predecessor and is a breath of fresh air in the current state of pop rap and neo-soul.
11mo
80
‘Onxard’ is only another step on his path to greatness, and the sky is the limit.
10mo
80
It’s less cohesive than the high watermark he set with Malibu, but hitching a ride back to Oxnard is a freewheeling and occasionally exhilarating quest into Paak’s sonic curiosity.
10mo
75
Oxnard boasts several great moments, but the album is merely good.
11mo
75
Ultimately, the bigged up production doesn’t suit .Paak’s soulful tendencies, which are further lost in his switch to rap. There are a few highlights, sure, but not nearly enough for an artist who I would’ve placed bets would be the next Big Thing.
10mo
70
Paak can do nearly anything, but that doesn’t mean he should do everything. With its often effortless synthesis of funk and rap, Oxnard is a wide-angle portrait of Los Angeles’ hedonistic landscape—it’s just a little out of focus.
11mo
70
With Oxnard, Paak proves that he’s an artist built to last and a musician who has earned his place among hip-hop’s elite
11mo
70
Oxnard's penchant for twisting, not sticking, coupled with a Dre-shaped emphasis on beats and bars, leaves it woefully light on actual songs. The hum-able hooks and slow-burning arrangements of previous albums cast shadows over it.
11mo
70
Oxnard doesn't wow on the first, third, or even fifth listen. But it isn't short on bright spots either, even if they take a while to reveal themselves.
10mo
60
This meeting of joy and aggression is what defines Oxnard, and the effect is not always pleasant – it makes .Paak’s trademark grooves difficult to luxuriate in – but it is still a compelling mode, and one that rehomes his old-school tastes firmly in the present.
11mo
60
Oxnard doesn’t fulfill his dreams for creating a West Coast hip-hop soul epic for the age, but it’s not for lack of trying.
11mo
60
Oxnard isn’t quite the epic final chapter .Paak clearly craved for his trilogy – it certainly fails to compare to his 2016 breakthrough masterpiece Malibu – but you have to wonder if he really cares that much. On so many of these tracks he sounds restless, like he’s already thinking about moving on to bigger and better things.
11mo
60
Oxnard is a breezy and charming listen front-to-back, but while it’s a treat to watch Paak work through his creative processes and explore these funk variations, most of the songs here fail to sink their hooks in in the way it feels like they should, perhaps the fault of releasing such a summery album on the brink of winter.
10mo
60
Oxnard tries so hard to be a masterpiece that it forgets what made .Paak’s music so compelling in the first place, swapping out his easy-going, straightforward persona for stiff storytelling and jumbled verses that aren’t nearly as engaging as he is.
10mo
Prelude: I havent even listened to this yet and Im already pretty confident from the singles thst this is going to be my rap album of the year
Conclusion: Though I was a little off with my prediction this is a very solid Jazz Rap album that really seems to wholely embrance Anderson's personality and the culture of Southern California.
P.s. Tints is one of the catchiest songs all year
Conclusion: Though I was a little off with my prediction this is a very solid Jazz Rap album that really seems to wholely embrance Anderson's personality and the culture of Southern California.
P.s. Tints is one of the catchiest songs all year
THIS... ALBUM... IS SO AWESOME
The features, the versatile soundscapes, the incredible soul, this is truly a gem.
I wish Anderson didn’t wear some of his influences so heavy across this album sometimes (TPAB cough cough) but when this thing works, it works wonders. Really fun album
The features, the versatile soundscapes, the incredible soul, this is truly a gem.
I wish Anderson didn’t wear some of his influences so heavy across this album sometimes (TPAB cough cough) but when this thing works, it works wonders. Really fun album
OMG im listening to this with earbuds because I'm going to review it and at the end of ''headlow'' I got scared LMAO. I feel so stupid hahaha, did anyone had the same experience? 😂
The Actual review: I find out this album pretty enjoyable, not as fun and vibrant Malibu, but there are great songs in here. ''Who R U'' was probably the worst songs of the album. Tints is catchy as hell! The features are OK, maybe the Dr, Dre & Cocoa Sarai did not do it for me but, well, it is what it is. ... read more
The Actual review: I find out this album pretty enjoyable, not as fun and vibrant Malibu, but there are great songs in here. ''Who R U'' was probably the worst songs of the album. Tints is catchy as hell! The features are OK, maybe the Dr, Dre & Cocoa Sarai did not do it for me but, well, it is what it is. ... read more
There's almost a visible texture to .Paak's sound, its great to see .Paak hasn't lost his sonic world, and continues to map the geography of his sound; thats both funk and hip-hop based but painfully this album is devoid of his personality.
Perhaps .Paak is someone who is made for live performances, where his charm and energy can be feed off of and perhaps his songs dont translate well unless in a live setting but that's not enough of a reason in the 21st century, I mean you can easily feign a ... read more
Perhaps .Paak is someone who is made for live performances, where his charm and energy can be feed off of and perhaps his songs dont translate well unless in a live setting but that's not enough of a reason in the 21st century, I mean you can easily feign a ... read more
Very rarely lately can I work up the will to listen to an album so I feel depleted of motivation.
This does absolutely nothing for me.
The entire time I was thinking about how I could be listening to something else.
+2 points for Rodney Dangerfield
-2 points because J.Cole thinks Facebook is the "latest of the internet"
This does absolutely nothing for me.
The entire time I was thinking about how I could be listening to something else.
+2 points for Rodney Dangerfield
-2 points because J.Cole thinks Facebook is the "latest of the internet"
END OF YEAR LISTS
| #7 | / | ABC News |
| #8 | / | KCRW |
| #10 | / | BLARE |
| #27 | / | The Needle Drop |
| #41 | / | Far Out Magazine |
| #43 | / | Digital Trends |
| #44 | / | Complex |
| #90 | / | NME |
| / | Esquire (UK) | |
| / | Magnetic |
MISC LISTS
| #1 | / | HipHopDX (R&B) |
| #3 | / | Uproxx (Rap) |
| #25 | / | HotNewHipHop |
| #29 | / | The Genius Community |
Track List
- The Chase (feat. Kadhja Bonet)
- Headlow (feat. Norelle)
- Tints (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
- Who R U?
- 6 Summers
- Saviers Road
- Smile / Petty
- Mansa Musa (feat. Dr. Dre & Cocoa Sarai)
- Brother's Keeper (feat. Pusha T)
- Anywhere (feat. Snoop Dogg & the Last Artful, Dodgr)
- Trippy (feat. J. Cole)
- Cheers (feat. Q-Tip)
- Sweet Chick (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid)
- Left to Right
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In Library (158)
pitchfork.com
Anderson .Paak Announces New Album 'Ventura' 
stereogum.com
Stream Anderson .Paak’s New Album 'Oxnard' 
Added on: October 4, 2018
