G.O.O.D? Kanye West’s Cruel Summer Receives Mixed Reviews

The hype for Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music mix tape Cruel Summer was massive, but after an early leak, and some mixed reviews, was that hype justified? Contact Music rounds up the reviews, and they, like the album, are a mixed bag.

The overwhelming feeling is that it could have been better. So says The Washington Post, anyway: “Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music compilation “Cruel Summer” fails in the same way most do: It’s a disjointed assemblage of rhyme styles and perspectives with no overarching musical direction. In short, a mixtape.” And the mixed reviews don’t stop there. “Rule: For every fiery, self-serious verse here, you’ll find at least one maladroit dud,” writes Consequence of Sound editor Mike Madden. Everything surrounding this release seems complicated and confusing, from it’s name in relation to the turning seasons, to not knowing whether we should consider this to be a follow up to Dark Twisted Fantasy, and the reviews reflect this. MTV were slightly more positive, though: “Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music crew have finally released their first compilation album, and even though the title doesn't quite fit the season, Cruel Summer continues Kanye's quest to set a new standard for hip-hop.”

All you Kanye West fanatics will undoubtedly listen to this compilation, and judging on the reviews, it’s worth a listen. But those same fanatics will undoubtedly be waiting for Kanye’s best standalone release, as Cruel Summer doesn’t quite push the envelope as it was expected to do.