Kanye West New Album 2013, 'Yeezus' Review: Rapper Is Praised By Critics
Kanye West is gearing up to release his new album, Yeezus, and critics are applauding the rapper's sixth solo effort.
"Yeezus is the darkest, most extreme music Kanye has ever cooked up, an extravagantly abrasive album full of grinding electro, pummeling minimalist hip-hop, drone-y wooz and industrial gear-grind," Rolling Stone said in its Thursday review.
The album, critics say, also provides a little variety for every listener.
"Those looking for vintage soul sounds or even full-on raps from start to finish will be thrown several curves here. It's an album with numerous emotional layers as well. There are a few lighthearted moments, and cuts about love along with lust," Billboard said in its review on Thursday.
The New York Daily News even gave the album five stars, the highest rating the newspaper gives when reviewing a record.
"It's just long enough to satisfy, but still short enough to make you want to play it over again right after you finish," the newspaper wrote on Friday about the album which is 40 minutes long.
In addition to the rave reviews, the rapper's album is expected to go Gold in its first week.
"That's what industry forecasters suggest," Billboard's Associate Director of Charts/Retail Keith Caulfield said in a statement on Thursday. While he also said its hard to be precise with these numbers until the album is officially on sale, as the release date approaches, the demand for the record enables an easy and almost accurate estimate.
In addition, Caulfield explained what else might drive the half a million sales of Yeezus.
"The album kind of drops out of the sky with some mystery and excitement that can drive interest," he said.
He is referencing the fact that West hasn't released a lead single to Yeezus, nor has he done much promoting for the album. The artist has provided very little insight to his upcoming work including his performance at the 2013 Governor's Ball in Randall's Island, N.Y., where he performed songs from Yeezus. Read about those performances here.
The album hits stores on June 18.
