War & Leisure
| Miguel
War & Leisure
War & Leisure is the fourth studio album by American singer Miguel, released on December 1, 2017, through RCA Records. The album was preceded by the release of the first single: "Sky Walker" featuring Travis Scott. The album features further guest appearances from Rick Ross, Qui , Kali Uchis, J. Cole and Salaam Remi, with production led by Miguel himself, alongside a variety of contributors including Happy Perez, Steve Mostyn, David Andrew Sitek. Detail, Raphael Saadiq, Jeff Bhasker, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis and Remi, among others. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
Miguel’s fourth album has a kinetic sexual and political energy. With less digital funk and more reverbed-out guitar, his R&B psychedelia for uncertain times shows his maturation as a songwriter.
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The Line of Best Fit
War & Leisure is an album with a generous helping of highlights, not least because of Miguel’s enviable vocal versatility and affinity for dramatic songcraft, an irresistible combo that sees him playing both hero and villain in his own fantasy.
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NME
this is a compelling collection of poptastic R&B tracks made to soundtrack your night out
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Paste Magazine
...it’s good to hear the guy stretching himself into a different direction. That’s something Miguel has always done, sonically speaking. And he always sounds amazing doing it; that hasn’t changed on War & Leisure.
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Hot New Whip Hop
Miguel’s music is crafted to resonate within both the mind and soul.
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Stereogum
his slick hooks still shine through, and there’s enough topical talk to convince us that he’s living in the same world as the rest of us
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The Guardian
The production is exceptional, with distorted guitars and ambient noise offset by whip-crack drum programming; moments of pure body-high pleasure
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Slant Magazine
War & Leisure has shown that, artistically at least, Miguel is exactly where he needs to be
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Consequence of Sound
The crooner successfully strikes a balance between news cycle and bedroom
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Highsnobiety
The pivot towards a more radio-friendly sound may seem a little short-sighted, but in the end, the more upbeat pop production and chill vibes work with the concept of partying until the world ends.
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Vulture
the range is impressive, and the success in getting this many different sounds to jell is Miguel’s winning trademark
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Clash Music
On ‘War & Leisure’, Miguel offsets political overtures with a rhythmic energy that gives the record a defiant and celebratory feel, never beholden to mawkish politicking.
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Rolling Stone
Miguel Throws a Psychedelic-Funk Party for a World in Flames
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DJ Booth
I was skeptical, but I’m more than satisfied with the end result of War & Leisure.
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All Music
For all the conflict imagery, War & Leisure is often brightly colored, even upbeat.
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USA Today
It's an equal parts stirring and uplifting message, showing an artist who is unafraid to use his voice as he continues to evolve.
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The Source
The album shows Miguel’s growth as an artist into one who is taking more musical risks and dabbling in political references. ... With an impressive range, Miguel masters getting many different sounds to jell together cohesively.
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Pretty Much Amazing
there isn’t a single song here that I’d miss if I didn’t hear it again because almost all of that color is gone
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Exclaim!
Though he enthusiastically pushes the boundaries of his sound and image on his most eclectic album yet, Miguel also takes care to make each of its tracks insatiably catchy and breezily fun.
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Sputnik Music
Lyrically, it’s inconsistent, and doesn’t serve its title or occasional flirtations with current events very well besides a few references smattered in every other song. Musically, though, it feels more disposable than before, and less beholden to locking into deeper, more resonant grooves.
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Spectrum Culture
Still, the conscious elements make up a small enough portion of War & Leisure’s runtime that they’re irritants rather than dealbreakers, and the record’s ultimately easy to enjoy.
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Crack Magazine
Putting ‘war’ to one side, the ‘leisure’ aspect of the album isn’t neglected – there’s still enough sex metaphors, drugs and gloss to please the Miguel fans who’ve been there from the start.
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The Young Folks
there is an opening four-track sequence that is one of the best in R&B this year
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Beat
Miguel’s latest effort is abundant with emotions, and genre blending elements.
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Entertainment Weekly
jams that have already found fans in stars like Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé
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The Root
Miguel’s War & Leisure Is Not as Political as Initially Advertised, but It’s a Near-Perfect Listen
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UPROXX
As soon as you push play on War & Peace, the music washes over you like warm bath water. You become wholly submerged in this violet-hued world of dreamy guitars, pounding drums, mesmerizing synths, and well-placed entendres.
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The Hoya
“War & Leisure” is a fun collection of energetic tracks propelled by Miguel’s charisma and bold melodies
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Soul In Stereo
And that’s what makes War & Leisure such a smart album. It’s strong yet subtle social commentary spoken in Miguel’s personal love language.
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Immortal Reviews
Miguel explores the dichotomy of love in War & Leisure, every part of the record working to explain an experience.
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Panther Print
Overall, War & Leisure is a decent album, but more was expected from Miguel.
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Music Connection
War & Leisure, is filled with a free, rich voice, reverbed-out guitars, and ambitious songwriting. In War & Leisure, the artist exhibits his innermost Gemini as he smoothly interchanges between somber political themes and romantic and sunny dreams.
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The Fresh Committee
All in all, War & Leisure is a step in the wrong direction for Miguel’s artistry.
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Sound Digest
This is such a powerful and touching album. Miguel shows his fans on War & Leisure that he can balance heavier subject material while still providing them with what they want.
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Flood Magazine
with War & Leisure as his fourth full body of work, he’s solidified a definitive Miguel sound that contextualizes past efforts: the fuzzed-beyond-all-recognition guitar riffs, subterranean bass synths, and drums that feel like they’re being aurally clotheslined, setting a fierce foundation for saintly vocals
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Hype Off Life
War & Leisure is Miguel’s best album to date thus far. And that’s saying so much due to the fact that ‘Wildheart’ was remarkable
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Remezcla
he gives us a portrait that slyly captures what everyone else is doing right now: trying to balance being themselves in uncertainty
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The New Yorker
initially feels like a return to economy. It is still exquisite and dreamy, full of swirling textures and crunchy guitars
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The Musical Hype
Once more, Miguel delivers on War & Leisure. ... The production work is superb, the vocals top-rate, and the songwriting on-point.
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Sound Digest
With War & Leisure, Miguel is aiming to add another Grammy nomination to his list. ... This album is still full of charisma, beautiful melodies, and sex appeal.
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The Cavalier Daily
War & Leisure’ has some well-hidden gems ... falls short in the realm of production despite beautiful vocals
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Legends Will Never Die
Overall, Miguel has come through with his 3rd consecutive classic. The production is just as slick as before as are Miguel’s beautiful vocals & while the lyrics are still romantic, they’re also his most political yet.
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Press Play OK
too much of War & Leisure passes by without incident, background music that only serves to irritate
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Diandra Reviews It All
Overall, War & Leisure is a complete pleasure, and one of the best albums of 2017.
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Positively Underground
It’s a decent place to vibe, but War and Leisure’s highlights are few and far between.
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Blasting News
Miguel's voice is pure as silver. Nobody disputes that. But it's not enough these days. He needs to develop his lyrical voice as well as he's developed his sonic voice. Having an ability to sing is only half the battle. Having something to say matters too.
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London on the Inside
This is a very eclectic album, diving between fiery passionate love to aggressive soulful emotions to war and activism. ... The album is ubiquitous with love and politics, a rollercoaster of creativity that has delivered everything his fans have been waiting on.
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The Montclarion
“War & Leisure” may not be his best album, but it is undeniably another impressive addition to his discography.
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Arena
The album's tracks don't have the variety I was expecting from a talented maturing songwriter like Miguel, and soon it became different to tell tracks apart. Still, War & Leisure is something that any enduring human being can relate to in the climate of a closing 2017.
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Geeks of Color
War and Leisure further solidifies Miguel’s spot on the current list of dope artists and dependable tastemakers.
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Shameless Plug Media
Miguel still keeps his composure and remains resolute showcasing that, just because life is currently characterized by a grey, drab and ugly backdrop doesn’t mean the soundtrack needs to be
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The Orion
“War and Leisure” is a decent project overall and Miguel did a great job with creative lyrics and vocals. The album earns a four out of five for its edginess, but it could use a little work when it comes to versatility.
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Soul O Mind
Each song is able to carry it’s own weight.
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GQ Magazine
War And Leisure, contains a fresh philosophy
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The Reflector
The album has a great flow to it, capitalizing on a consistent vibe.. Utilizing sparse guitars and keys throughout, the album is often reminiscent of a laid-back summer day.
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The Star
"War and Pleasure" has a concept that legitimately feels steamy, intimate and fun to listen to. There's a lot here that most might relate to — an open-minded definition of what's happening around him.
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The DMV Daily
this is my personally pick for best R&B album of 2017. EASILY!
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Black Boy Bulletin
War & Leisure is an opus that looks inward to move forward, and it does it with grace, wisdom, and touch of sexiness.
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Beats PM Club
War & Leisure does not disappoint on the production side.
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NPW Music
I feel like Miguel delivered a decent full-length album with War & Leisure, but nothing more than that.
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Vox Magazine
Miguel has his own space. War & Leisure has forced it to grow.
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The BizNiz Blog
Whether you’re jamming out at a house party or just taking in the festivities this holiday season, be sure to have War and Leisure playing in the background because every track is a banger.
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