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Critic Reviews
80
Estelle knows how to get ahead with Transatlantic partnerships, and Shine is the winning end product of her musical dalliances with John Legend and Kanye West, who head an illustrious guest list on the singer's second album.
15y
80
Her second act is ceaselessly enjoyable, one of the finer R&B albums to be released in 2008.
12y
80
With a signature tone and texture to her vocals, Estelle seems to sit well in the pockets of the varied sounds present on Shine, bringing a radiance to the album, along with a deep breath of fresh air.
12y
80
This West London homegirl's perspective is etched in her husky singing, fleet—tongued rapping and wised—up lyrics.
11y
80
Now based in Brooklyn and chummy with the likes of John Legend (who makes a creamy-voiced appearance on You Are), the Londoner has constructed something lovable in Shine.
7y
80
Shine justifies John Legend's signing of her to his Homeschool label and finding producers she could inspire.
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3y
80
She keeps reminding people of Lauryn Hill, which is kind of a cheap comparison but gives you an idea of where she’s coming from. Shine is tough modern soul music with enough of a foot in the past that it will cross over to people who think they don’t like modern hip-hop.
7y
75
An enjoyable summer fling – just try not to get too attached, she be gone in the morning without so much as a note.
1y
70
It’s admittedly a bit bricolage, but Shine is such a rococo patio-and-sprinklers, ice-cream-and-beach-chairs album throughout that its transitions rarely feel jagged.
15y
70
With the help of many friends, this soulful English hip-hopper aims for an American audience, yet still retains sufficient distinctive traits to make for an interesting & successful listen.
7y
68
Shine's lingering impression is that of several talented cooks crammed into a tiny kitchen, each crafting something delicious with little regard for the meal as a whole.
15y
60
Unfortunately, the album’s effervescent uptempo tracks give way to same-y filler.
11y
60
Cee-Lo adds his own touch of class to Estelle's "Pretty Please", but the most dominant figure behind this follow-up to The 18th Day is pianist/producer John Legend, who made the London singer the first signing to his Homeschool label.
6y
60
This could be one of the most unlikely comebacks of 2008.
8y
60
Mostly it's quality urban pop that achieves its goal, but by sacrificing her personality.
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3y
40
Despite the starry cameos and production turns, Shine lacks a little lustre.
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3y
estelle's shine is alright for the most part, but it's also forgettably so. apart from the classic "american boy," the kali uchis-esque "magnificent," and the grand finale "shine," i found it to be just fine. i don't know, i think i was expecting more.
ÁLBUM BOM PRA CARALHO!!! MUITO DIVERTIDO E GOSTOSINHO, ABSURDAMENTE FODA!!!!!! ESTELLE É FODA!!
What we should be reviewing instead of Iceman, Habibti and whatever the other one's called.
The first 3 tracks of Estelle's 2008 album, Shine, are very danceable, I like them a lot, including American Boy with a standout Kanye West feature (back when he wasn't a Nazi). That song is such a standout, instantly had me bopping my head.
Then Estelle moves onto a different sound with soul samples. It sounds great, once again, but the switch up between American Boy and More Than ... read more
A much better album than her debut. The production is better and the vocals are stronger. Her best album.
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Track List
| 1 | Wait a Minute (Just a Touch) 3:42 | 84 |
| 2 | No Substitute Love 3:54 | 82 |
| 3 | American Boy 4:45 feat. Kanye West | 97 |
| 4 | More Than Friends 4:25 | 78 |
| 5 | Magnificent 3:57 feat. Kardinal Offishall | 72 |
| 6 | Come Over 3:41 | 81 |
| 7 | So Much Out the Way 4:05 | 81 |
| 8 | In the Rain 4:08 | 87 |
| 9 | Back in Love 4:01 | 73 |
| 10 | You Are 3:30 feat. John Legend | 76 |
| 11 | Pretty Please (Love Me) 3:58 feat. Cee-Lo Green | 75 |
| 12 | Shine 3:49 | 81 |
Total Length: 47 minutes
