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Critic Reviews
90
Slick, well-written marks of a singer absorbing and defying the boundaries of genre.
6y
80
As a debut album it goes over well, with a convincing display of versatility and quality songwriting that firmly establishes Mabel as a force to be reckoned with in UK pop.
6y
80
She’s released a fresh body of work that stands up with the best of her output. It isn’t perfect, but it certainly lives up to expectations, no matter how high.
6y
70
A debut full of future anthems, and glimpses of the personal beneath the polished pop.
6y
60
Ultimately, High Expectations trades in well-appointed, British-tilting genericness that ticks Spotify playlist boxes, promising party vibes and availability, then wallowing in non-specific romantic dismay.
6y
60
Almost everything would sit seamlessly on any Hot Hits-type playlist. It’s only late on, when she sings OK (Anxiety Anthem) that the listener finally gets a better sense of the real Mabel.
5y
60
The 23-year-old comes from a musical dynasty – and doesn’t disappoint.
5y
60
She has perfected the art of writing songs that even on first listen sound totally ubiquitous.
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5y
60
The record doesn’t live up to its name, but meanwhile, Mabel’s small triumphs are worth betting on.
5y
60
Despite some pleasant enough tunes, she lacks the vocal charisma to stand out from other wannabe Rihannas, Mileys and Dua Lipas.
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5y
60
As it is, you’re left with a solid, well-made pop album that occasionally hints its maker might be more interesting and individual.
6y
60
Despite some over-zealous Top 40 attempts, High Expectations is a well-rounded pop record.
6y
60
While High Expectations doesn't quite live up to its title, falling foul to a saggy middle run of tracks that sound more like B-sides, it shows Mabel still has an ear for an incredible hook.
6y
60
‘High Expectations’ is a solid album, with some extraordinarily good pop songs on it, yet it feels like something’s missing.
6y
50
Though sung in a beautiful, agile voice, the album's contents lack any innovation that truly set them apart, even amongst themselves.
6y
40
The sound is entirely generic, with no features at all that define at as by a particular artist. The best of it has pop punch but those playing it on shuffle would never know who they were listening to.
6y
After a decent record, released in 2017, Dua Lipa gave us a weak follow-up album, this record sounds like a Spotify playlist and it’s not that catchy, there’s a lot o songs that sounds like what she’s done before (Don’t Call Me Up is New Rules 2.0). such a huge letdown
I think they've been quite unfair to Mabel's debut, but I do understand why it hasn't been completely fulfilling to some people. Some are going to be offended by this, but I need to say it: High Expectations reminded me so much of Dangerously in Love by Beyoncé. Why? Towards the album you can see she's trying to deliver soft melodic R&B like they did back then, however, it doesn't sound dated at all. It's full of current production and interesting samples through and through.
She ... read more
Soooo many hit songs on here. Revisiting this album opened my eyes to a bunch of gems. Unfortunately the album's too generic at times. Songs start to sound like dumbed down versions of others at points, it’s a shame because the album’s good outside a few duds
Order Most Favourite To Least Favourite
1. Fine Line
2. Mad Love
3. Don’t Call Me Up
4. Boyfriend
5. Finders Keepers
6. My Lover
7. Cigarette
8. Ring Ring
9. Bad Behaviour
10. Selfish Love
11. God Is A Dancer
12. OK (Anxiety Anthem)
13. FML
14. High Expectations (Intro)
15. High Expectations (Outro)
16. Trouble
17. We Don’t Say…
18. Put Your Name On It
19. Not Sayin’
20. I Belong To Me
21. Lucky (Interlude)
22. Stckhlm Syndrome (Interlude)
a pretty average pop album, but it’s full of songs that were absolute hits in the UK in the late 2010s. Mabel is so reminiscent of many british gen Z childhoods, so I feel like I have a little nostalgic connection to her music, but without it, it’s just okay.
Contributions By
patton, philthy, Edgeworth, MarkyC, anztec, Glitchy, Muratka, OPENblinds, kingsolomonf, mylesBecome a Subscriber
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Track List
| 1 | High Expectations (Intro) 1:27 | 65 |
| 2 | Bad Behaviour 3:25 | 72 |
| 3 | Don't Call Me Up 2:58 | 83 |
| 4 | FML 3:12 | 63 |
| 5 | We Don't Say... 3:11 | 67 |
| 6 | Selfish Love 3:12 with KAMILLE | 72 |
| 7 | Lucky 1:14 | 65 |
| 8 | Mad Love 2:49 | 80 |
| 9 | Trouble 3:28 | 62 |
| 10 | Put Your Name On It 3:41 | 67 |
| 11 | Stckhlm Syndrome 2:25 | 71 |
| 12 | OK (Anxiety Anthem) 3:36 | 67 |
| 13 | I Belong To Me 2:38 | 61 |
| 14 | High Expectations (Outro) 2:25 | 65 |
| 15 | Finders Keepers 4:28 feat. Kojo Funds | 71 |
| 16 | Fine Line 3:32 with Not3s | 76 |
| 17 | Not3s, Mabel - My Lover 3:12 | 65 |
| 18 | Jax Jones, Mabel - Ring Ring 3:38 feat. Rich The Kid | 75 |
| 19 | RAYE, Mabel, Stefflon Don - Cigarette 3:08 | 62 |
| 20 | Not Sayin' 3:43 | 68 |
Total Length: 1 hour, 1 minute
