Dark Sky Paradise

Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise
Critic Score
Based on 12 reviews
2015 Ratings: #338 / 1021
User Score
Based on 592 ratings
2015 Rank: #599
Liked by 26 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

83
Entertainment Weekly

A spirited combination of grown-man statement-making and round-the-way bull.

80
AllMusic

Artistically, three is the charm for Big Sean as Dark Sky Paradise is much more expansive than previous efforts, sometimes grinding with executive producer Kanye West's love of the dark, and other times bouncing with the snark, swagger, and style that propelled this Detroit rapper to the top.

80
HipHopDX

With Dark Sky Paradise, Big Sean is prepared to leave his mark.

80
XXL

If Hall Of Fame finally closed the book on his Finally Famous chapter, Dark Sky Paradise marks his biggest step yet in turning that mainstream fame into widespread critical praise.

80
Complex

Occasionally clumsy but wonderfully plainspoken, and impassioned when he wants to be, Sean has advanced (if not graduated) from the tepid mythmaking of Hall of Fame. Here he’s dynamic, and a pretty good rapper. No fronting.

80
Billboard

With sterling wordplay and a consistent melancholy vibe, the Detroit native took all the tension, the highs and lows, and laid it out on wax, compiling the strongest project of his career.

75
Consequence of Sound
His improved rapping aside, the album’s excellent, cohesive production is a reminder that there’s something to be said for beat selection.
75
Pretty Much Amazing

Pretty much everyone who shows up to Dark Sky Paradise brings their A-game, and that includes Sean himself.

71
Pitchfork

Paradise is a big leap in the direction of the ideal Big Sean full-length. Whether he will ever make it there is certainly an open question, but in the meantime the smirkiest rapper in the business finally has an album that justifies all that self-satisfaction.

70
Exclaim!

Big Sean has reached a personal high by finding his Dark Sky Paradise, and it's his honesty that takes listeners there with him.

60
SPIN
As a no-strings-attached Kanye, he's unlovable, but even with the above evidence he's hard to hate either.
60
Rolling Stone
Big Sean is G.O.O.D. Music "trying to make 'fetch' happen" — keep supporting this guy, and maybe eventually he'll turn into a great artist. His third and best record isn't that moment yet, but he's one step closer.
BradTasteMusic
75

I’m tired of pretending like I don’t like this
75/100

Pros:
- Incredible production
- Sean’s confidence and hardworking spirit is infectious
- it’s charming
- Some nostalgia is involved
- great topical variety
- what Sean lacks in lyrics, he makes up with catchy hooks
- the punchlines

Cons:
- Sean is mid lyricist… putting it lightly. He has some truly awful bars.
- the project has a couple clear duds, and some really weak spots
- outshined by features multiple ... read more

snarekickblues
46

No no no no no no. No no no no no no no no no no no no, no no no no no no no no no no. No? No no. No no no no? .....no, no no. No no no no, no no no no!

Memethony RIPcaltano

TheDankestMeme
73

Big Sean delivers a pretty solid pop rap album. Big Sean has been an artist that always made into my turn up or hype playlists with songs like "Bounce Back" or "Blessings" being some. I felt like taking a listen to this album for no particular reason today. Coming out of it I have some thoughts.

The production is stellar as with most of the songs Sean has made throughout his career, that beat switch on "I Don't Fuck With You" is actually phenomenal. Sean as a ... read more

thegamingfoo
65

It was ok but it felt very long. The best songs are I dont Fuck with you and All your fault the worst was easily stay down and Outro

coloncancer
80

greatly underestimated you mr sean

AidenBowe45
50

This is a solid album, but it doesn't quite hit the mark of being something special for me. While it offers a decent collection of tracks, there's nothing particularly memorable that would prompt me to revisit it. The album seems to lack that distinctive factor or standout elements that make it truly compelling. It's a competent effort from Big Sean, but unfortunately, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression that would encourage me to give it another listen.

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Added on: January 31, 2015