Initially a bright-eyed kid with dreams of being celebrated amongst Hip Hop’s elite, J. Cole claimed a double platinum certification for his last release 2014 Forest Hills Drive, thanks to the RIAA’s updated streaming metrics (and fans’ heavily vested interest). Having built a reputation for remaining quiet and off the grid until he’s prepared to speak through music, Cole’s recent 40-minute documentary served as an appetizer for his subsequent fourth LP, 4 Your Eyez Only.
With countless skeptical cynics all too eager to shoot him down countered by a hive of supporters hanging on his every word, J. Cole has managed to make 4 Your Eyez Only his most ambitious work to date. A conceptual piece about the ins and outs of street anthropology, the title track closes the album with the big reveal that the project is akin to a series of diary entries read to a deceased friend’s daughter after her father’s demise due to fast living.
Fleshing out the theme of his previous album’s deep cut “03 Adolescence” even further, 4 Your Eyez Only conveys the bipolar state of a troubled hoodlum whose invincible bravado masks his vulnerable frailties. Singing from the depths of his tortured soul on the intro “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” J. Cole’s character screams to a higher power for answers as live strings and horns from Elijah Scarlett and co. accentuate his innermost turmoil.
Immediately flashing forward to another scene in the script, the hypnotic “Immortal” reflects the hardened determination of being greater than one’s mental scars. Cinematic in scope, here our conflicted protagonist fights against all odds; hustling backwards while truly wanting better for himself. The turmoil comes to a head on “Ville Mentality,” a moving highlight with Cole’s chilling, passionate, and imperfect harmonies backed by lush instrumentation. By far the most layered production on 4 Your Eyez Only, this heartbreaking piece of the puzzle shows how the story’s lead seeks refuge from hazardous conditions, only to die at the hands of betrayal and leave behind a child who yearns for her beloved male guardian.
In efforts to avoid treading into one-dimensional melodramatic territory, J. Cole conveys the full spectrum of his possibly fictional homeboy’s humanity. “She’s Mine Pt. 1” is a subdued love rap ballad. The song’s sequel embraces the euphoric joys of new fatherhood, though slightly marred as the lullaby takes a swan dive into a misplaced tangent against materialism.
“Change” espouses the virtues of growth and self-development, as J. Cole channels the spirit of Tupac’s trademark rushed, yet fully controlled flow. This is a rather sensible moment compared to “Foldin Clothes,” an arguable misstep which has already sent social media peanut galleries into a frenzy despite its musically progressive thick bassline. Having formerly risked mockery airing out teenage insecurities on the ubiquitous hit “Wet Dreamz,” such carefree sentiments resurface once again in a more grown-up fashion. With absolutely no deeper message behind the song devoted to helping a significant other with laundry, J. Cole yet again fearlessly makes himself a bullseye for jokes ad infinitum.
At least a portion of 4 Your Eyez Only is based on J. Cole’s first-hand experience, as the subtle thumper “Neighbors” recounts the nightmarish day his home studio was raided with unfounded suspicion of illegal solely on the grounds of being black in an affluent area. Despite the creative tier of ambition the album brings, Cole still leaves reasonable doubt as to if his coarse and off-kilter vocals actually reach the level of execution that not only warrants his Teflon popularity but truly deserves praise on the absolute end.
Which results in the album’s solid but unfilled rating. With 4 Your Eyez Only, J. Cole deserves consideration for tugging at the heartstrings of listeners with raw human emotion but still leaves open the door to reach a musical zenith. Snowblind loyal subscribers will flock to crown Cole as a generational superhero, while lazy detractors won’t soon be swayed from steadfast views that he’s human Hip Hop Nyquil. The truth of the matter is J. Cole’s current spot is somewhere in the middle: a suitable seat filler between cycles where his peers make bigger songs but fail to achieve the same perennial status.
Disappointing
yall still didn’t do a dc4 review
Man, I swear HHDX have got a problem with J. Cole…has he slept with one of your mums or something?! The way he’s portrayed in your news article, the reviews and everything..just feel that your not fair to him and give him a tougher ride thab anyone! Considering how talented this guy is as a rapper, producer and all round Artist, he is one of the best current hip hop artists hands down and should as he makes good soulful music with a message..but HHDX will always try to kick him down..
Not wack but sure as fuck not a 5/5 rating.
Everybody has to die and False Prophets should’ve been on here. I give it a 4/5 since I can listen to those songs as well as the album on Tidal
“Hear my old shit and I know I can top it”
Apparently not.
Disappointing in the sense of the hype that was built around its release but still a good listen
I’m not a Cole-hater, just so you know but this album was mediocre as hell. No replay value on this one and actually no track that stands out as really good. Dissapointing, without a doubt his worst album.
How did this get such a high review? This is more like a 1.5/5 The album is boring and J Cole has no charisma or new ideas. If I wanted to listem to consious rap I would listen to Immortal Technique, Nas, Common or Talib Kweli. This guy tries to be deep but he’s boring and lame. He has some nerve talking about Kanye’s music.
Being that this is a concept album, I personally thought it was genius. You have to be in the right mood to bump it.
This isn’t turn up in the club type music. This is a story told from the eyes of a friend of his who died. This is a dedication.
And for those who said it does not have replay value, i kind of agree. But Neighbors slaps. I play that everyday. As for the other songs not so much. But K.Dot’s Pimp a butterfly had the same issue sonically. But the overall message supersedes that.
He tried to remake 2014. Didn’t succeed.
I’ve been a Cole fan since the day “The Warm Up” came out. The lyrics & subject material are not nearly as stellar as his early releases. The singing is off key at times and is not appealing to my ears. J. Cole speaks of “False Prophets” yet he appears to be going down that same path.
Same shit new beats. Album is meh.
not good
Sounds like breezly brewin
Where that guy at
Who ever gives this album less than a 3 rating in the comments is hating on this project. It’s not his best work, but certainly well crafted
Top 5 release of the Year IMO. Tribe Called Quest has the best release of the year.
I’m not a hater, I like Cole but this album woulnd’t make top 5 releases of the year imo. I mean, we got A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Elzhi, Apollo Brown X Skyzoo. After those there are several albums i personally liked more, like Ras Kass, Grand Puba, Westside Gunn, Beneficence…….
Big fan of Cole, but i’m dissapointed with this release. It seems very rushed to me. It’s a nice listen, good concept but semi-boring beats. It’s a nice listen, but it’s not repeat material.
The title track “4 Your Eyez Only” is probably the best Cole song ever. Probably the song of the year. Incredibly moving
Album is Soulful and tells a story. Album not really meant for everyone.
5/5
One of the greatest artist of his generation
I get a good 12 hours of sleep every time I try to play this shit
One of the best of 2016,as eye opening as usual from Cole
Peep all these fake accounts that work for the label giving it 5 and 4 stars but notice the lower ratings get the most likes. Stay woke #fakenews #payola
Your article was full of shit and trying to be deep and meaningful just like the album.
You are mad someone else liked an album, because you personally didn’t like the album. Music is subjective what resonates with some people might not resonate with others.
I enjoy the album. It’s what rap for grown-ups sound like. Yet it still touches the youth like a comforting hand on the shoulder.
I like j.cole I don’t hate this album don’t really like either couple of ok tracks but all in all it’s pretty average besides that won’t listen to it more than once
Rap for grown ups doesn’t sound like this. Tribe released an album for grown ups that was light years beyond this album. J Cole’s interviews are great but his ability to translate what’s in his mind to record often comes off cringeworthy. I would compare his raps to food that is undercooked. It taste aight, but just a little while longer in the oven it would have been great. His concepts are cool and production is inspiring, but those bars need more effort.
I thought this album was dope I love the concept my wife can’t stop listening to it
Enjoyable. A bit boring but a good album.
I don’t understand the problems people have with this album. It provides a beautiful story, great instrumentals, and good bars (minus foldin’ clothes). Remind you, it’s not Cole’s best work, but it’s pretty damn good.
No hate from me. Enjoyed the album, still enjoying it actually. This review was thoughtful and it seemed like the author really gave the album it’s just due.
Simply not impressed. Not a bad album. Just not something I want to listen to repetitively. Not sure how people can put Cole in the same class as Kendrick and Drake. I’d rather listen to East Atlanta Santa than this ish. Marginal at best Jermaine… 3.
Man… I hate even saying this but I was mad disappointed in this album. After putting off listening to Forest Hills Drive for as long as I did and then realizing how refreshing it was, I thought for sure this would be a banger. Jermaine Cole really didn’t come as thorough as I thought he would. It’s similar to a wanna be G.K.M.C.; he’s telling the story of growing up in the ghetto yet it feels so much less riveting and unreal. Don’t get me wrong, this album wasn’t bad at all but it wasn’t all that great either. Kind of feel the same way about this album the way I did about Views. Lots of hype around the artist themselves, but a lackluster performance overall. A lot of the tracks almost sound similar to Forest Hills; production wise to lyrics. And the depth… J. Cole really took Jay’s advice and dumbed down his lyrics to double his dollars. He should’ve left False Prophets and the other track on here, they had some nice bars on both. The last thing that really stuck out to me and probably is just me looking to deep into it, is the title. For some odd reason I felt like it was an ode to 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me but was missing the energy and the aggression. If that was the case, then Jermaine if you think you let Nad down in the past, you got Pac rolling over in his grave for sure… or shaking his head at you while sippin margaritas with Big Syke in Cuba.
all thosew words to sound like an idiot. He did the opposite ofdumb down his lyrics. He put his heart into this album. If he was in it for the money, he would have features on every other song. I doubt any rapper that consoders themselves a rapper would want to collaborate with this man.
Too high. This is like a 2 or 2.5. Not terrible but not very good. Seems like people are afraid to give it a bad score because the messages are good. There are ten tracks here and at least 4 are filler. That’s not good. The beats are not bad, but not stellar. His flows are decent but a little lazy. I really do appreciate his message, but some people need to remember that this is still MUSIC. There is more to it than just a message. His message on this is 4/5. Strong message. His execution is about a 2/5.
5/5… fuck your opinions
4 your eyez only is honestly the best song ive heard in the last 10 years. I wont even lie, I had tears streaming down my face by the end of it. Such raw emotion. Anyone have a song that can top this one? let me knoiw
Joe Budden-“Only Human” off of his some love lost album.
The most average album J Cole could ever release. Disappointed.
This right here is food for thought !! Best album of 2016.
The headphone music.
No bullshit beats or mumbling shit.
cole world album is to short for me need more music
Personally for me cause i can’t speak for anyone else but me…i know this album is a classic no doubt seeing some comments here got me thinking if it 4 Yours Eyez Only or another album some of y’all talking about. This kind of music appeals to the soul, message behind it 5/5, beats 4/5, delivery 3.5/5. Generally I’ll rate the album 4.0
I loved this album, its full of great songs even though it would have been nice if there was more song, which is pretty much the only criticism I have for the album.
love J.Coles music, but this album wasnt that good to me. I understand the message behind it but still. Waited two years for a disappointing album
Gets better with each listen.
After 4th-5th listen, Cole dropped a great project.
U can really hear the growth from 1st album to now. Even from the last album.
Disappointing to say the least
boring trash
This album is so good!!! 5/5 classic, love the vibe. this is art. great lyrics, beats are fire. dope project! COLE WORLD!!!!!! CLASSIC ALBUM!!!!!! That boy Simba crazy!!!!!! Straight SOUL HOP!!!!!!
By now, we all know what Cole brings to the table: Dope lyrics with little filler, often “meh” beats, weak hooks, and brutally honest and conscious content. That said, here’s my personal quick breakdown:
Track 1 ☺️ Nice intro.
Track 2 ☺️ Dope beat.
Track 3 ? Nah, my guy.
Track 4 ☺️ Kendrick lite.
Track 5 ☺️ Kendrick lite 2.
Track 6 ☺️ I see you, Wale.
Track 7 ? Dope. Lupe lite.
Track 8 ? I said I see you, Wale. Damn.
Track 9 ☺️ I felt it.
Track 10 ☺️ God’s Son’s son.
Verdict: 3.1/5
Comparisons to Kendrick, Chance and the likes aside, it’s at least a solid 3. It’s good because Cole is good. It’s not great because we’ve heard better. What makes it more prevalent is that those aforementioned peer of his package it better.
Scale:
?=1
?=2
☺️=3
?=4
?=5
J. Cole is certainly talented, but he’s also very overrated. Solid lyricist with sonically dull dull dull music. 3/5 out of respect.
Another fair assessment. Really wanted him to win with this one, especially with what’s going on in Hip Hop nowadays, but as aforementioned, this album was lackluster at best IMO.
Loved although there are not as many tracks in this….but nevertheless the tracks wer good 4.0
Feels like a lot of cats are judging albums by their singles. There are probably no more than 10 albums I’ve ever listened to where I can listen pleasurably from start to finish and this is one of them.
Perhaps single for single when you compare it to FHD it would’nt be as dope but I still skip a few songs when I play that album. I will listen to this in its entirety every time. I obviously still have my favourite tracks on the album but this is seriously dope.
1/5
As a J cole, this album leaves me more and more disappointed, i thought he was going to go toe to toe with the likes of Kendrick and Drake but now he’s probably on the same level with Wale. In a few years nobody besides a few rap blogs would care about him. anymore
Fair assessment with the exception of Wale never having the commercial success that Cole has had. This album was Nyquil.
I read seriously when you said toe to toe with Kendrick then you mentioned Drake in the same breath and knew you were sleeping with the sloths on his best work yet. I’ll give you a few years.
5/5 Forget the critics that keep referring to Cole’s “sounds” and beats selection as “boring”. Smh. This album proved that he could out-do his last album and his old work. And he delivered. Lyrics were at a all time high.
The beats were right within the Cole World/Dreamville’s “brand” that we know and love about Cole were at an all time high.
The meaning of the album behind it was of substance and gave perspective of a man raised and brought up in a certain environment, simultaneous to Cole’s in ways – all time high.
J Cole gave us a J Cole album. Period.
(People would be mad and x2 critical if he had of switched it up and gave you a bunch of different experimental sounds)
Its as simple as this: if you love/hardcore fan of J Cole, you’re going to love the album. If you just like J Cole, you’ll only like the album. And if you’re a hater or not a fan of J Cole, then you’ll dislike or hate on the album.
Any critics the keep talking about “dull” and “boring” are people that never done it before and haters that have the access to a keyboard to chime in and show hate, just cause.
Not many artists today can sell half a million in one week. (With No Features)
By those standards, this album was super successful.
@DanielZGolden
Cole fan here. Agree to disagree. If we dislike something it’s ALWAYS considered “hating” which is NOT the case. Sometimes, people just genuinely dislike something. End of story.
4 YOUR EYES ONLY is FRE$H……not as good as 2014 FHD though….
3/5 – Aside from a few deep cuts, this album is yet another boring snooze-fest. And this is coming from Cole fan. Just keeping 100.
4 Your Eyes Only Review 42/100
On Forrest Hills Drive J Cole decided to focus on storytelling, his constant fight between stardom and being a regular person, police brutality, and relationship woes. He makes the case of a common man that lets you in to his emotional side and then he sings…and then sings …and sings. For a scholar of rap and boom bap the production was very bland. I bring this up to say that 4 your eyes only was Forrest Hills Drive part 2. Cole constantly and consistently has reminded us how smart, witty and knowledgeable he is , the problem is that he really isn’t, specially on this album. There is nothing really groundbreaking in this album, the production is very bland and the singing is horrible. J Cole has perfected the sing songy crooning, only to his detriment and the albums downfall. Songs like FWTBT, Vile Mentality, She’s mine and folding clothes offer basic croon bars and nothing groundbreaking. Déjà vu is a basic and lazy attempt over a Torry Lanez. Cole tries to tell this story through a perspective of his friend but it’s not compelling, it’s not as cohesive and two or three songs have nothing to do with the story. J Cole has gotten progressively worse from Born sinner, both in production, content (what content—it’s the same), and production.
Lyrics – 10/20
Production 8/20
Creativity/Playback Value 10/20 a great idea but poor execution of storytelling because of inconsistent bars , songs and production
Content 8/20 – same as usual. Try to makes reel you in as common guy. You feel you share the same things and can’t believe he is saying it but then you realize he did this last album.
Cultural Significance 6/20
Cole Compared to the greats—not even close
Cole compared to his contemporaries – drake makes better music? Kendrick Lamar is the real intellect. Cole is very basic but professes his gift at being a great and an intellect.
Cole compared to himself- getting worse production wise , lyrically…AND PLEASE STOP SINGING!!!
42/100
This was a GARBAGE REVIEW
I agree fully. He’s just bitching and singing the whole album. Same content.
Lol. Looking for an internship at DX my negus?
album of the year!!!
Interesting
Long time J Bool fan, not a bad album just disappointing when I was expecting him to change it up from FHD. He’s done really well in the past at making each project sound individual but like I said it did seem very Forest Hills Drive-y, at least production wise. Lyrically wasn’t too crazy, not bad, just not stand out from some of his other works. I like his topics and themes a lot more than Kanye rapping about designers and being Steve Jobs and shit but at the end of the day Life Of Pablo is gonna get more plays just on production and overall sound alone. A lot of people been dropping dope albums this year I could see this shit getting looked over easy. Definitely worth a couple listens, it’s a cool concept, just not Jermaine at his best. Hopefully he drops something dope in 2017, waiting on that album with Kendrick.
I prefer albums with features.
It was a thought provoking album. Cole does a good job providing an insight to the street life. He is one of rap games best storytellers.
As a j.cole fan, i don’t care how talented he is vocally because i mean we all know he doesn’t have the greatest voice but his beats in this album are bumping, and when I listen to him he paints a picture in my mind with his words 5/5 for sure
Cole’s best project…you niggas can’t top the universe…Your ratings cant top my nigga…on a scale of 1 to 10…Cole is a hundred more…Jermaine Cole is the shit…He’s that GOAT Ali was, that GOAT PAC aimed to be…he’s the breadth of Rakim and Nas…Cole is the truth
Idek why people say it’s lame. It’s fire af. all people want to hear is bout killing or fucking hoes
BEST ALBUM OF 2016
SHIT WAS LIT ASF
I still think born sinner and Friday night lights are his best projects.. For me this is a very close 3rd place. I really love the concept and tempo of the album, but at the same time I can understand why people think its boring. Best song on the album by far is the title track. I give it a 4.5/5.
Gewd stoff
Stop Hatin’
5/5
3.9 is about right
5/5
LIT
Not an artistic step forward. Dude can spit just isn’t pushing music forward like the other artists we have now.
5/5
5/5
5/5
this album was a very versatile album from jcole speaking on the life of his friend and having a journey through the album learning everything his friend went through and how jcole related to his friend in many ways. it’s album where you hear a very honest jcole who speaks on the behalf of the world and the way he views all the things happening around us. Making a concept album is very difficult and even though It may not have the same vibe as his previous album 2014 Forest Hill Drive Jermaine still has a lot of great deliveries and great moments throughout the album. This album is a great album to listen to especially if you’re in a situation where you may feel like there’s no hope at times. From songs like Neighbors where cole explains about night where he was chilling with a couple of his friends and with all the commotion going on around the neighbors didn’t seem to believe that a black man could be living in such a beautiful home in nice neighborhood without thinking that he was selling some type of drugs. Jcole will go on and explain that he is selling dope but when he mentions dope he’s talking about his music. I would give further explanation but it’s best to just sit down and listen to the album
not really my favourite…born sinner is the best album. This one is short and kind of depressing at times..
J Cole also sounds like he lost his energy or something, only 2 upbeat tracks…not really a great album just ok
born sinner is my fave of Cole’s work…
it made me a COLEeone. (get it? from Don Corleone… shah forget it)..
but I love the concept though shows his artistic ingenuity…
I like this album in its own right. It doesn’t measure up to the message of Forest Hills, but I respect good albums that are told from another person’s perspective. This reminds me in a way of Undun by The Roots, solemn in nature and the tale of unnecessary tragedy in the black community. It’s a solid work overall, although I can skip Folding Clothes every time. The dropoff in this album for me is the lack of big verses that existed on Born Sinner and Forest Hills. I got very into the closing track and thought it was a beautiful way to conclude the album with 4 excellent verses, but I wasn’t into the trip there as much as I was with Forest Hills. Definitely respect this album though.
You hit the spot with this review of yours! Well reflected.
TBH Jcole is the big bang theory of music he shitty man
Personally this album touched a part of my soul, and for that reason, It’s album of the year for me. Happens on rare occasions, but the title track wil stay with me for life.
I think is was a beautifully constructed album. His best album yet for sure.
It’s one of his better projects. Great production, good story telling, and decent lyrics. If foldin clothes were to be taken off this album would be so much better.
J. Cole has an amazing rapping ability, and he blends rap with jazz perfectly. His music affects me personally. Whenever I listen to his music, nostalgic thoughts always come back to me. One of my favorite all-time rap albums.
No doubt this is a tough one for a lot of people to review. I’m not gonna lie I was disappointed after my first listen of the album. However, after letting each song sink in, you can truly realize how good this album is. I would say FHD is better, but bottom line this is a deeply lyrical and emotional album.
10 OUT OF 10 IF YOU DONT AGREE GO HANG