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Darkness and Light
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Darkness and Light Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth full-length studio release for the multi-award-winning R&B singer-songwriter was produced by Blake Mills and features guest appearances from Chance the Rapper, Brittany Howard, and Miguel.
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  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Genre(s): R&B, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary R&B, Contemporary R&B
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Top Track

Love Me Now
Pulling me further Further than I've been before Making me stronger Shaking me right to the core, oh I don't know what's in the stars Never heard it... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Dec 1, 2016
    83
    As always, his perfectly raspy croon is the connective tissue, but it’s an awkward match on pop plays like the uplifting-anthem-by-numbers “Love Me Now” and the synth-heavy “What You Do to Me,” co-written with hitmakers Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels. Those tracks aside, Legend is mostly in his soulful comfort zone.
  2. AllMusic
    Dec 2, 2016
    80
    Each track has its own kind of burning intensity. The album's front, back, and inner photos are in black-and-white, but the music evokes rich shades of yellow, orange, and red.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Dec 12, 2016
    80
    A late 2016 highlight.
  4. Pitchfork
    Dec 5, 2016
    70
    Darkness and Light isn’t the political feat Mills and Legend had hoped for, but it’s a step forward in the singer’s evolution. He may never be a firebrand, but Legend proves there’s still strength in humility.
  5. Exclaim
    Dec 19, 2016
    70
    Darkness and Light comes off balanced and bursting with humility knowing and being what it is--mainstream soul framed by pop parameters.
  6. PopMatters
    Dec 8, 2016
    70
    Much moodier than he’s ever been, it feels as though John Legend has musically turned a corner with these 12 songs, if for no other reason than the supposed reality that in an artistic setting, feeling bad is infinitely more interesting than feeling good.
  7. Consequence
    Dec 8, 2016
    58
    Darkness and Light loses its depth, however, when Legend skews toward pop (see: “Love Me Now”), even if these songs do maintain a catchy candor. Fortunately for the album, they’re rare and few.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. ibetyou
    Dec 6, 2016
    10
    John Legend is by far one of the artist that most care about what love real means on our society and he shows it on Darkness and Light. It'sJohn Legend is by far one of the artist that most care about what love real means on our society and he shows it on Darkness and Light. It's really a great album, with amazing duos as Overload with Miguel) and the title track with Brittany by Alabama Shakes. It is a good thing to give to the world after a big success of his latest album.… Expand
  2. amandaaraujo_
    Dec 6, 2016
    10
    Darkness and Light isn’t the political feat Mills and Legend had hoped for, but it’s a step forward in the singer’s evolution. He may never beDarkness and Light isn’t the political feat Mills and Legend had hoped for, but it’s a step forward in the singer’s evolution. He may never be a firebrand, but Legend proves there’s still strength in humility.… Expand
  4. SoundOfAMan
    Dec 6, 2016
    10
    As always, his perfectly raspy croon is the connective tissue, but it’s an awkward match on pop plays like the uplifting-anthem-by-numbersAs always, his perfectly raspy croon is the connective tissue, but it’s an awkward match on pop plays like the uplifting-anthem-by-numbers “Love Me Now” and the synth-heavy “What You Do to Me,” co-written with hitmakers Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels. Those tracks aside, Legend is mostly in his soulful comfort zone.… Expand
  5. Siddique
    Dec 6, 2016
    6
    John Legend returns back with his raspy voice and "love anthems" in "Darkness and Light". The lead single "Love Me Now" is a sure hit butJohn Legend returns back with his raspy voice and "love anthems" in "Darkness and Light". The lead single "Love Me Now" is a sure hit but Legend lacks to bring something fresh. We have seen this Legend in his previous album and we won't find anything new in this album.… Expand
  6. kyledokic
    Dec 3, 2016
    0
    This album doesn't live up to his previous classic projects. If someone asked me to define mediocre, I'd send them this album. This album isThis album doesn't live up to his previous classic projects. If someone asked me to define mediocre, I'd send them this album. This album is nothing like a 'Once Again'. Marching into the darkness and I know better are the better songs of the album. But as a whole, the album didn't have much replay value. He's gone from John Legend to John Bellend.… Expand

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