Expectations.
| Hayley Kiyoko
Expectations.
Expectations is the debut major label studio album by American singer and actress Hayley Kiyoko, released on March 30, 2018. The album title was announced along with its cover on January 1, 2018 through social media. The album was preceded by the singles "Sleepover", "Feelings" and "Curious". Expectations garnered mostly positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted within the top 40 of record charts in Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Hayley Kiyoko’s ambitious debut is at its best when it’s barbed and confrontational, but the former Disney star is still trying to hone her budding pop star identity.
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The Guardian
Pretty far from standard filler, but just as Kiyoko found greater success when she started being open about her sexuality in her lyrics, staying true to idiosyncratic instinct has made Expectations feel more universal than a generic, play-it-safe debut. It might not be what you were expecting, but it’s just what your pop playlist needs.
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SPIN
To date, even her more risqué tracks have a squeaky-clean veneer that feels Radio Disneyfied beside something like Janelle Monáe’s latest sultry, sexually fluid funk.
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The 405
The focus of Expectations needn't even lie in its queer narrative, the tunes here present a strong pop voice in Hayley Kiyoko. These are love songs not grounded simply in their pronouns.
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WPTS Radio
Regardless of these shortcomings, the album is still a fun synth pop album. Kiyoko is a very talented lyricist and her voice meshes extremely well with the music backing her up. Not only is this album important musically, but culturally as well.
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Newsday
For Kiyoko, “Expectations” couldn’t be higher, but the music is so good she seems set to surpass even the loftiest ones.
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Sputnik Music
Hayley Kiyoko exceeds all rave expectations with major debut record.
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PopBuzz
Hayley Kiyoko's debut album Expectations has landed and it's everything we ever could have wanted and more. Hayley sings confidently and passionately about loving women on this album in a way that is still so refreshing.
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Renowned for Sound
Hayley Kiyoko has recently been quoted in an interview as wanting to just “own shit and make out with girls” – something there is no doubt of her achieving following this album release. It’s the gayest record in recent years, and that feels so incredible to be able to type in a review. Hayley Kiyoko understands how isolating being gay can be and in this record has held out a supportive hand, a caring shoulder and a reassuring ear to anyone and everyone who has ever been made to second guess their very existence. 20gayteen truly belongs to Hayley Kiyoko.
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UCSD Guardian
With soulful lyrics and addictive melody, Hayley Kiyoko surpasses all “Expectations” in her debut album.
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The Musical Hype
Actress and rising pop artist Hayley Kiyoko delivers an honest, well-rounded debut album with ‘Expectations.’ Sexuality serves a pivotal role on the project.
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The Ithacan
From the ambient synth and soulful vocals to the hip-hop beats, every element of “Expectations” is carefully crafted, elevating it from an average album to a fully developed work of art.
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TRL
Altogether, there's a full range of life experiences covered within these 13 tracks, marking the first chapter of an ongoing story that Hayley finally feels comfortable in sharing with the world.
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Cryptic Rock
Kiyoko is one of these artists who deserve support and accolades. After all, she has been busting her grooves and expressing her arts since she was a child. Her upcoming album is just a continuation of the passion that she has been engaging in since two decades ago – and most likely the start of something more substantial and grand for her.
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Stars And Celebs
Overall, Expectations serves as a great example of what Hayley is capable of. With a little bit of decisiveness and honing, Hayley Kiyoko can easily become a well-versed pop artist of today. Expectations outlines a promising future for Kiyoko and progression in pop music. Our expectations are high for the artist's next move.
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The Daily Californian
Kiyoko’s burgeoning artistry blooms one explicitly queer track at a time, and we’re lucky to be along for the ride.
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Student Edge
This is Hayley Kiyoko, we’re reminded across Expectations. You don’t name your closing song "Let It Be" unless you feel pretty confident about your ability to leave a 3.5/5.
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Soundigest
Kiyoko might not have the vocal range of other female pop stars, but her fearlessness in telling her story the way she wants to is what sets her apart from the rest. The album certainly lives up to her fans expectations and is a solid debut album from this unapologetic pop star.
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Immortal Reviews
Hayley Kiyoko brings her unique sound to life in Expectations, a pop album that captures the essence of both the genre and artist perfectly. Every note works to empower the meaning of the song, and Kiyoko's voice is full of emotion with every word. It's like a living, breathing human, filled with different aspects of love and life. It's experiencing things for the first time and telling them back to us.
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Vada Magazine
Expectations becomes more impressive the longer it plays but also leaves doubts about what kind of pop-star Hayley Kiyoko wants to be. Is she the musically generic girl-next-door who happens to also be gay, or is she much more than? Maybe we’ll have to wait until that second album to find out.
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Amnplify
“(Expectations) doesn’t feel like a debut as much as it feels like the start of something big, comparable to Lady Gaga’s debut ‘The Fame,’ in the more carefree days before she became Mother Monster.”
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Moda Chicago
Overall, Kiyoko’s album is definitely worth a listen. Her storytelling may be lacking in its cinematic direction, but it reveals itself in other ways, such as her lyrics, which demonstrate Kiyoko’s strive to be as explicit and communicative as possible to her fans. As long as Kiyoko continues to establish intimate relationships with her viewers, I will be listening.
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Staccatofy
The music has good songwriting and lots of different feels and tempos. Kiyoko is a multi-talented vocalist, songwriter, director, and actress.
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Unheard Gems
One of my favorite musicians at the moment, Hayley Kiyoko, has solidified her place in my heart and in all my Spotify playlists with her debut album, “Expectations.”
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The Courier Online
Each song is raw and honest, often bringing queer experiences to the forefront, showcasing Kiyoko’s talent and identity. Expectations is an expertly crafted album which deserves adoration.
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CCC Advocate
Kiyoko’s debut is a successful showcase of her unique artistry.
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WRBB Radio
Years in the making, Expectations is an impressive debut from a Disney star turned LGBTQ pop icon. Stylistically, Kiyoko is still trying to find where she lands in the pop genre, but if this album proves anything, it’s that Hayley Kiyoko is the unapologetically lesbian pop star we’ve been waiting for.
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Ladygunn
Hayley releases her new album, “Expectations,” that upon first listen will make you feel like this is probably what Janet Jackson would sound like if she were 19 in today’s world.
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The State Times
Not only is this album influential and important, but all the songs are jams
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The Grapevine Gossip
Listening to Expectations as a whole, it manages to sound cohesive without all the songs blending together in a muddied mess. Off the top of my head, one of my favorite albums, Born to Die by Lana Del Rey, accomplishes the same thing. So I can see Expectations becoming a timeless pop album. The songs are chill and relaxing, but they aren’t boring in the slightest. These melodies slay!
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Out Write News Mag
This is just the beginning of what will be both a very queer 20gayteen and a very successful career for Hayley Kiyoko. Her ability to vulnerably portray her emotions in such an introspective way sets this recording apart from other albums. Thank you for blessing us, our queer messiah.
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Daily Trojan
With a sensual, edgy sound reminiscent of a mix of Lorde and Halsey, Kiyoko’s sound occupies a space between pop and R&B with a dash of angst. A collaboration with Kehlani in “What I Need” strategically puts her on the map in the music industry, and associates her with a fellow badass LGBT female singer.
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Banshee Zine
If you’ve somehow missed the Hayley Kiyoko hype, or you’ve ignored it, or you’ve been dubious about it, I highly suggest you give Expectations a listen. And give this young, flourishing artist what she wants: listen to the record from cover to cover and go on the journey with her.
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Autostraddle
This is the gift we’ve all dreamed of since we were kids. This is the red carpet debut of a lesbian icon.
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All Music
Despite this occasional dip into indistinguishable pop territory, Kiyoko's debut hints at untapped potential from a fresh voice with a relatable perspective.
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Outlet Mag
This is an artist who proves that gold lies in staying true to your message. This album is powerful, strong, sensual and most of all, refreshing. Pop at it’s finest.
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Zumic
Impressive debut album combines raw emotion with upbeat pop.
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College Media Network
Hayley Kiyoko's sensual debut Expectations is forming by giving her a start in the industry going solo. It's best when it's raw and real.
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Half-Past
That’s not to say Expectations is just a self-important album waving the gay pride flag for all to hear. Honestly, I can’t pick which song I find catchiest between “What I Need” (featuring Kehlani) and “Curious,” and which song has the nastiest bass parts between “Feelings,” “Sleepover,” and “Palm Dreams.” It has so much merit in its own right musically that it’s incredible to see her development as a musician since her 2013 EP, A Belle To Remember (although she has apparently always had a knack for groovy bass hooks that will keep you dancing for days; see “Rich Youth,” “Maple”).
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8 Asians
If your pop sensibilities lean toward good club vibes and heavy beats, you may find this an outstanding album. My barbaric ears find it to be very, very long. I give it a one-point bump for interesting lyrics, but that still puts it around 5/10 for me: not bad but not good.
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The National Student
Poppy, bright and unashamedly queer, this cheery album brings together some already popular songs with new hidden gems, to create a truly infectious blend.
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The Daily Campus
“Expectations” is a refreshing turn in the pop landscape, and it won’t escape my playlists anytime soon.
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Her Campus
Overall, this album is very deep and very catchy. I would recommend this album to anyone who wants some new music to listen to.
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Gay Times
Hayley's full-length debut album Expectations was released a few months into #20GAYTEEN, but remains a glistening jewel.
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Gibson Gazette
Hayley Kiyoko has made it clear that she’s here to stay. She’s got some room for improvement, but overall, Expectations is not bad, especially for a first album. Though we only get a glimpse of Kiyoko’s best work, it’s obvious that the future definitely holds good things for her, if she can only just figure out what works. Whatever that may be, I’m happy to be along for the ride.
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Verge Campus
The 13 song album feels like a full experience, and offers an intimate lyrical and musical journey Kiyoko shares with her fans.
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The Sophian
The way Kiyoko sings about relationships and flirtations with women just as confidently as any heterosexual male artist is a powerful normalization of queer women and their relationships in music and media.
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The Irish Times
Over airy electro and R&B beats, Expectations is loaded with lust, envy and frustration. Sleepover capture the torture of sharing a bed with a platonic pal when you want more and on Curious she teases a former lover who is now dating a man. Expectations are both light and heavy, and form the perfect pop album for the Instagram-era of self-discovery.
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Muzic Speaks
The album starts off very strong and maintains its strength for the majority, but the last couple of tracks do feel a little flat. Overall though, this is a modern pop record that has been crafted well and sees Kiyoko shed her Disney days and address mature issues, close to her heart. It also has a certain excitement to it that could be the start of something big for her! I’m sure this will be a huge success and will take her career to new heights.
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The Gizzle Review
Kiyoko’s fans have dubbed her ‘Lesbian Jesus’ and here she’s delivered her gay gospel. At the start of the year she declared it “#20GAYTEEN”. With the release of ‘Expectations’ that’s surely true – this album will be heard all year long.
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Uproxx
Listening to Expectations, I’m back in my teenage bedroom, with something other than just The Real World to get me through the long lonely nights.
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The Roar
The music album “Expectations” by Hayley Kiyoko, released last Friday, has exceeded expectations. Filled with songs about L.A., love and heartbreak, the album is a hit.
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Fuel The Scene
Expectations shows that Hayley Kiyoko is ready to take on the world with a fiery passion and some stories to tell.
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The Collegian
Expectations is a solid, official introduction for Kiyoko that’s sure to satisfy thanks to her refreshing authenticity, original style and noteworthy talent.
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SAC Media
Kiyoko's series of party anthems and tear jerkers become any young persons vice, it became mine as well.
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The Oswegonian
With a phenomenal and revolutionary album for recent pop music and societal norms, Kiyoko has a golden road ahead of her.
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Broadly
Kiyoko’s music is dreamy, flirty, and fun, and the artist is using her platform to take an important stance for her community.
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Reverb Street Press
Expectations works as a solid debut full length. In part because of its innovative contemporary synth pop song craft, courtesy of both Kiyoko and her corps of co-writers. It’s also sonically vibrant, thematically essential and like the best pop, great fun to listen to.
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United By Pop
The artist’s bravery alone can hopefully hold the hands of fans who see themselves in her. The most important detail about Kiyoko is not only her versatility and courageousness she has cultivated all on her own but the undeniable confidence she’s built up to show off her identity to the world.
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PLD Lamplighter
Expectations must not be dismissed.
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The Harvard Crimson
It is this unique–for mainstream pop–representation, as well as its technical quality, for which “Expectations” exceeds expectations.
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