Off The Wall

fire, love MJ

Michael is obviously incredible on this, but the instrumentation really shines as well. The drums are so tight, the bass lines are so good, the strings are so lush. It's so pleasing to the ear that it makes you wonder why more pop doesn't sound like this.

This is MJ so of course the album is amazing! Groovy and an almost disco-like vibe, as well as, a couple of slower sounds thorwn into the mix, that show why he is to this day considered one of the best musical artists of all time. Between his beautiful vocals and melodies, this is undoubtedly, a must listen at least once in your lifetime.

I love this album so much. Quincy Jones' mastery on display for all of us to hear. The sequencing alone on this record is stuff of legend. The mood is so positive, upbeat and gets my body moving every time I listen to it. MJ's brightness shines so glowingly on every track - he is simply feeling the music so much and that carries onto the listener. I know "Thriller" is #1, but damn this is a close second.

One of the best pop albums of all time like what more do you want

This album in my opinion is one of Micheal Jackson’s greatest albums. I have fond memories of listening to him with my grandmother. I listened to this album countless times

Disco(ier) mj

Ah! A 5-star album by a completely unproblematic artist! Now, time to take a BIG sip of water and look at the newly released photos from the Epstein files -

Super Dope

Aantal van MJ z’n mooiste nummers op dit album! Vooral de ballads

Gran debut de Michael. Toda la influencia de los jacksons 5 todavía llena el disco. Grandes líneas de bajo, arreglos con teclado y la voz de MJ que aún no recurre a sus sonidos iconicos que comienzan a aparecer en los discos posteriores. Me lo llevo para seguir oyendo. Highlights: Workin day and night Get on the floor Burn this disco out (Me encanta lo funky y el disco)

It's okay because at this point in his career he probably wasn't touching kids (cope) Jokes aside, in my opinion the best Michael Jackson album. Filled with disco tunes that prove Michael deserved to be at one point the most well known man on earth. Should be no surprise that this gets a 5/5

There are some days that i prefer this one to Thriller. This has that smooth 70's production that I just love. Quincy Jones was a genius and Michael was insanely talented. Plus, I'm pretty sure this was made before he started molesting children so that's a plus.

Starts off strong and flattens out a little bit, but overall pretty dang enjoyable!

This is my favorite Michael Jackson album Easily a 5

generational album, every song is a 10/10

Classic Mike! So many bops!

One of my favorite albums

I truly won't stop 'til I get enough. Listening to it for a 4th time.

I couldn't help dance to this and I was laying down the whole time

Multiple all-time bangers and a pretty decent rest of the album make this an easy vote

Yup!

Great blend of disco and 70s funk. One of Michael Jackson's best and essential records. I may have listened to the whole thing before but at least I have heard the hits many, many times.

I know Thriller is bigger, but I think Off The Wall is better. My favorite MJ album. Quincy Jones worked his magic and his impact is immeasurable. But at the end of the day, Michael Jackson and his insane abilities makes this album what it is.

Gotta give this one a 5. It established him as a serious solo artist who had broad appeal with listeners across genres. I don't think Thriller would have popped off so hard if this hadn't come first. It has a couple of duds but the rest surely makes up for it.

best MJ album

5/5

I love Quincy Jones. Combine him with the talent of Micheal Jackson and you get high potential for 5 star music. By track 6 I was starting to feel it may just be a 4 star album, but it finished strong and pulled me back in.

Banger after amazing banger, this album is packing massive heat!

This album is one of his best🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

В голове сразу всплыл Час Пик 2

Classic Michael Jackson, only suprise was that there were a couple of unfamiliar tracks. The album must have started many careers!

Fantastic pop album filled with high-energy disco and jubilant funk. “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is one of Michael Jackson’s best. It’s impossible to resist. There are other hits too but what I love about this album is that even the non-single tracks are great. “Workin’ Day and Night” is just as good as some of his biggest hits. I love how the momentum keeps going even when he’s singing lines like “I’m so tired now.” It’s like he’s on this nonstop rollercoaster of a work schedule and can’t escape. “Burn This Disco Out” is another excellent lesser known track. The energy dips briefly with the twinkling ballad “She’s Out of My Life,” but other than that, this is a full party in an album and a personal favorite.

Probably the greatest entertainer of all time, MJ is incomparable. This album is one of his best. I love the disco style that permeates throughout and it really showcases him in as a vocalist on top of a band that is just as high energy as he is. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" are the two standouts on this record, but the whole thing is pretty consistently good. I'd say that this probably isn't my favorite of his, which I think is "Thriller", but it's just so consistently good. I like the change of paces throughout too, like the ballad "She's Out of My Life". MJ lives forever.

Fun Disco album.

An exceptional work that was not properly appreciated in the Grammy Awards.

Love early MJ. A great album with one or two hidden gems along with the well known bangers.

An incredible album by MJ, pretty mich every song is a banger, and very unique to MJ.

classic.

My biggest guilty pleasure. I hate myself for giving Michael his second five stars.

Holy shit it's Michael! Considering how famous the guy was I am surprised I never sat down and listened to any of his albums in full. This one was such a joy though. Disco vibes best vibes.

alright classic mj! never heard this album in full so here we goooo Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - YEAHHH DISCO a classic - that instumental break feels like a precursor to thriller - boy do i love it when an album fades out one instrument at a time OOH - no notes Rock With You - OOH love this sound - man hearing this makes me miss hearing more of a variety of instuments in modern music - like that trumpet? french horn? idk but whatever it is it adds such texture - LOVE Workin' Day and Night - honestly no notes again this is such a VIBE Get on the Floor - THAT BASS wwoowow - ooh that lower register is nice - OOOH that shaker, "whatchagobegah" "GETTUP" part YEAAA Off the Wall - very chill - insteresting that this one is the title track, it's fun but it doesn't stick out as much as the others to me Girlfriend - O O OH slower, smoooth - YESSS i love a good saxophone - romantic hehe She's Out of My Life - we slowing WAYY down to a ballad - his vocals are out of this world I Can't Help It - is it weird to say i feel like this is one of the tracks that the people who oversaw the production of sonic the hedgehog 3 back in early 90s and were like "lets get him on board- yes THIS is the vibe we want" - in short: smooth, groovy, moody, YES It's The Falling in Love - OH this album don't quit - that guitar ooof - man bring back instrumentals like THIS Burn This Disco - man this whole album is so cool all in all: INCREDIBLE album. you can hear how this album still influences artists to this day 40+ years later. i really wonder what fans of his back then thought when his next few albums went a little more pop and less disco after this one- was it controversial? anyways, instant five stars!

Great

Classic MJ. Classic Disco

É o bode

Ez 5/5

Hot take… this album is better than “Thriller”. That is all.

There’ll never be another Michael Jackson. They call him the King of Pop FOR A REASON

esse cd mostrando claramente o motivo dele ser o maior de todos os tempos

Não tem o que falar. É o rei né!

problematischer Typ aber zeitloser Pop

Ok I get it now

A fantastic blending of disco and pop for some truly infectious songs. Impossible to not love some of Jackson's greatest hits, with some very solid lesser known tracks as well. No weak spots on a very complete album. Top tracks: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Off The Wall, She's Out of My Life

Otro excelente álbum de Michael Jackson, pensé que no iba a gustar tanto porque en general prefiero la música que le sigue a este disco, pero claramente no lo había escuchado con atención. El álbum en su totalidad es muy sólido, tiene atmósferas distintas, pero conectadas con mucha cohesión. Las líneas de bajo son alucinantes y la voz de Michael, aunque no con tanta fuerza identitaria como en los álbumes consiguientes, es precisa, delicada y con mucho groove.

Absolute classic album, all killer no filler. For me I think this is the best MJ album

BANGER ALBUM 8.6/10

really recommended r&b disco music

How much of this is that I’m actually a huge Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones fan? For obvious reasons, I might want to reach for that in addition to appreciating a younger, pre-whatever he became MJ. Anyhow, love this front to back, 5 stars. I didn’t actually become a fan until later in life in my early 30s, but jeez.

Great album . When he was normal!

Fantastic album before he got weird

Honestly he's the king for a reason no notes

Wybitny artysta i wybitne dzieło. Dużo soulu w utworach.

Very strong 4

How have I never listened to Michael Jackson before

My favourite Michael album of all time. 5/5 no notes.

Off The Wall is part of the, in my opinion, holy trinity of Michael Jackson albums. Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. I mean how could this have been a bad album with Quincy Jones at the helm. Always 5 stars.

Personally this is peak Michael plenty of 70's funk going on just a joy to listen to every time.

This was a really good album, upbeat, catchy, and fun

- Würde ich definitiv nochmal hören - ich wusste nicht das die nicht so bekannten Lieder auch so gut sind Topsong: Rock with you

Almost all bangers, front to back. Lone exception is "She's out of my life", I just don't these type of songs really suited him. The rest is funky, danceable and just plan fun.

Love the non stop energy of this and rhythm that doesn't quit. Arrangements and vocals are top notch. Great Album

Favorites: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough Rock With You Workin' Day and Night Off the Wall Girlfriend She's Out of My Life It's the Falling In Love Burn This Disco Out Thrilling.

I remember listening to this in 1981 and liking it, but then I got hardcore into heavy metal and punk (and later, jazz) and decided that it wasn't cool to listen to it. I got it again about ten years ago, though, and I still think it might be his best album from cover to cover. *Thriller* might have a few better songs on it, but this album doesn't have a single weak spot.

Not a single bad song on here tbh. Crazy that this was the first time he was allowed creative direction.

The king of pop for a reason. Even if later projects like Thriller are more cinematic and polished, this remains his most consistent album to me. There is simply not a single bad song in sight!! Is there something super dated about the word "boogie" being sung unironically? Absolutely, but this record earns it because it never fails to MAKE you boogie. That's a 5 in my eyes: just great-ass music, an escape into good vibes. Standouts: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough • Rock with You • Workin' Day and Night • Get on the Floor • Girlfriend • It's the Falling in Love • Burn This Disco Out

Japan loved this album so much they created citypop 💃🪩🕺

Favourites: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock with You, Get on the Floor, Girlfriend, I Can't Help It, Burn This Disco Out

Greatest

(DISCLAIMER: This review will not contain any references to the allegations, nor to whether or not I personally believe them. This is a review of Michael's music strictly, not of the man himself based on claims of what he may or may not have done. I do not review people. Alright? Alright.) There's people out there who'll tell you that the greatest album Michael Jackson ever made was THRILLER. Are they wrong? Well, that's a whole discussion I'm gonna save for a review of that album... But with relevance to this review, I'll say this much: while it may be the contender for his greatest, by no means does it hold any claim to his most important. That will always belong to the one released before: OFF THE WALL. Simply put, there is no other album in Michael's discography that matches the impact that OFF THE WALL would leave. Even with THRILLER breaking sales records on the charts and racial barriers on MTV, it'll never match up to the fact that OFF THE WALL was, for all intents and purposes, his debut album. Now, of course Michael had been recording for many years before OFF THE WALL. He'd been the kid with the golden voice in the Jackson 5 since the late 60's, and he even had some albums out under his own name. But what needs to be understood about those albums are that they're not, well, **his**. They're Motown albums, and if you're gonna know anything about Motown besides how great the music is, it's how little control they let their artists have over their own music. Heck, the albums with Michael's name on them in this era were little more than extensions of the Jackson 5 brand. If you don't believe me, you can go look at GOT TO BE THERE and how the "M" and the "J" in his name are written with the same hearts that Motown had been writing the Jackson 5's with. Him singing "Ben" for the rat horror movie of the same name wasn't his own decision. Thus, we have OFF THE WALL. It was released three years after he and his brothers left Motown for CBS, one year after they finally gained complete creative control over their works, and one after Michael met a man on the set of the film THE WIZ by the name of Quincy Jones... It also released only four weeks after Disco Demolition Night. So, you gotta understand, not only was this album Michael's freedom away from Motown (and his brothers), establishing his own sound... It's also just an achievement and testament to how good the music on this thing was that it managed to become a hit despite coming out at the height of disco backlash. Like, you've gotta admit that's something. Ah, but context, context. How much surrounding context matters to me depends from album to album (and as you can tell, it matters to me here a little — just a smidge), but at the end of the day, it's all about the music. The greatest story in the world couldn't save that Bonnie Raitt album for me. So I suppose this album's got it real good, then, that the music on it is just... Oh, it's some damn good, let me tell you. Now, sure, this album is **just** disco. There's no variety like there'd be on his later albums, especially on THRILLER. Point of fact, it doesn't have the hit factor like his later albums do. From this, you'd probably recognize three, maybe four if you're into vaporwave. And I'm not gonna tell you every song here is a stone cold winner, but... Goodness me, there is no other MJ I love to come back to as much as this one. This record kicks off with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough", and you better believe, it does **not** stop from there. I could probably highlight all ten songs on this album and point out something I like from each one. Heck, I could spend all day gushing about how much I adore "Rock With You", with a doubt in my mind the greatest thing this album spawned. It's nonstop amazing disco cuts, track after track, for 42 minutes. I suppose the only hiccup you'd come across is "Girlfriend", which was contributed to the album by Paul McCartney, and... Yeah, it's a bit cheesy, but once "She's Out Of My Life" comes on and you're marvelled by how Michael's voice is placed against this sparse as hell production, you'll quickly forgive it. I mean, does it even need to be said that Michael is an amazing singer? I think everyone knows it damn well by this point, but heck, I'll say it again: Michael's an amazing singer. Whether he's doing lead or his own backing, he's always spot on. He's clearly the center of the record, but just as much praise needs to be given to Quincy Jones as well. The thing about the disco on this album and Quincy Jones's production is that it doesn't strike me as being very much like every other disco album. I'm no connoisseur, of course — I haven't even heard a Donna Summers album yet! — but we all know what the typical sound is. On OFF THE WALL, there's clearly a wider pool of influences being pulled from, from R&B and funk to soft rock and Broadway ballads. They're all overlaid on the disco framework and it strikes me as no wonder why this did well during the disco backlash. There's no cheesy string section in sight! It slaps and bops and pops and whatever other adjective you wanna use hard as hell! And seriously, if Michael didn't make his best music under Quincy, I'm telling you... What else do I wanna say beyond just naming the songs I haven't yet? 'Coz I can do that: "Workin' Day & Night", the title track, "Burn This Disco Out", "Get On The Floor"... All A-plus, top of their class. And that's this record in a nutshell, really. Just absolute top-notch material — and honestly, it's my favorite MJ album, even more so than THRILLER. So, hey, I'm not gonna waste any more of your time combing the thesaurus for different ways to say "good." Put this thing on already and go enjoy yourself.

Not much to say that hasn't been said before except this is one hell of a disco record. Solid 5 Stars. (it's also wild as hell that this is my groups' first MJ album after nearly 600 albums done.)

I’m obviously at a 5. I love this damn album, man. It’s not 10 material like Thriller will almost certainly end up being, but I’m honestly just glad to finally get a damn MJ album here. This is Day 597 of the whole thing, and the odds of not getting a single one through the first 596 were about 9%. It was worth the wait; this album is as good as I remember it, and I caught a lot of new intricacies to it on this listen. It is harder for me to write about albums I’m far more intimately familiar with, since I’m gonna be biased as hell, so I’ll just say the obvious stuff that everyone else has written about: “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” is an all-time intro track that sets the tone for the whole album, “Rock with You” is arguably genre defining, “Off the Wall” is groovy as hell as a title track, “She’s Out of My Life” is a perfect ballad, the whole album is the last great record of the Disco era, and “did you know ‘Girlfriend’ is actually a Paul McCartney cover?” OK, maybe people don’t really write the last part, but regardless, this is an album that’s been dissected to hell and back. There are video essays out there about nothing but the drum fill that starts “Rock with You”, so I don’t know if I can really add much with my own two cents to the galaxy of opinions & think pieces that exist about this album, and the opening catalyst for a run of albums that quickly turned Michael Jackson into the single most famous man in the known universe, after already becoming a superstar as big as the sun with his brothers. So, why the 5 and not an all-timer super duper 10? For me, the album just loses some steam after “Off the Wall”, really. “Girlfriend” is fun, and I have a soft spot for it, but it sticks out here quite a bit, especially after the stellar run of the first 5 tracks. “I Can’t Help It” is great, but there is a sense of that Stevie Wonder repetition that comes in at the end that’s just a little hard to ignore. “It’s the Falling in Love” is a good track, but it’s one where I constantly forget it’s a part of the album, and while Michael’s vocals & the key change at the end bring it all together, it just feels off. “Burn This Disco Out” is a really underrated closing track; it’s super fun and it’s groovy as hell, but I can’t help but feel like the tempo could’ve been punched up a little bit to match the same energy as the first 5 tracks. Go to YouTube and set it to 1.10 speed, because I think it kind of proves my point. Regardless, it’s obviously a 5. It’s a genre-defining album, and if someone wants to make a case for it as Michael’s best record, I’d be willing to hear them out. It’s probably his most impactful, in terms of starting the ascent of his career to the plateau that would be reached only 3 years later on Thriller. We’ll get there when we get there, and hopefully it won’t take too long to get there. Hell, hopefully we get it first, and not “Bad”, but I won’t mind either way. P.S.: Since this is the first MJ album we've gotten, I'll acknowledge the elephant in the room. Yes, Michael Jackson was weird as hell around children in terribly awkward, uncomfortable & insensitive ways at best & a genuine serial sexual predator at worst, but for better or worse, his work as an artist is so monumentally crucial to both my own journey for truly enjoying music when I was younger & the entire landscape of the industry at large that I feel like I can separate the art from the artist in a historical sense. Does that say something about me? I dunno, probably. I just cannot see myself taking some of the most influential music of all time out of my diet, especially when I’ve been digesting it for at least 16 years. I know I’m not the only person still listening to his music even in light of what’s come out, and I see praise for the guy’s music nearly every day on social media, so I can only shrug. Extreme heavy side-eye to the “Michael did nothing wrong” crowd, though.

Previously rated: Thriller (5/5) Bad (5/5) ****************** This album rivals Thriller, but I think it falls just short of its greatness, mainly because of a couple of filler songs on side 2, but it also has my favorite MJ song of all time, Off the Wall. I didn't know Paul McCartney wrote Girlfriend!

One of the best to ever do it. Really, really dance-able. fav tracks: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Off The Wall

‘Off The Wall’ is largely free of the paranoia and pressure that would creep into Michael Jackson’s later music. Here, he sounds free, happy, and joyful in a way he never did again. The songs are beautifully crafted — timeless pop with a disco lean — and they’re produced to perfection by Quincy Jones, who by this stage had fully honed his luxurious, signature pop production sound. The album is backed by a stellar cast of top-tier musicians, either playing on the arrangements, contributing songs, or both: Patti Austin, Larry Carlton, Paulinho Da Costa, George Duke, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Porcaro, Wah Wah Watson, Paulette McWilliams, Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson, Jerry Hey from the Seawind Horns, Rod Temperton, Stevie Wonder, and more. Off the Wall is Michael Jackson’s breakout as a solo artist — the moment he fully transitions from child star to confident, adult performer. It’s full of optimism — the sound of a bright future brimming with possibilities. It’s a given that ‘Off the Wall’ is an excellent album; in some ways, Jackson never bettered it. And every time I put it on, I’m transported back to a time when I was as carefree as the music itself.

Whole album fantastic. boogy boogy boogy.

Len Houmous actually spent 4 days in Michael’s bedroom with Mackaulay Culkin and a very young Wade Robson. He said it’s the most fun he’s ever had but ‘nothing’ happened. It was all during Houmous & Chutneys Neverland tour in 1992. 4.9 10/10 Burn This Disco Out

One of his best

Absolutely amazing. Sounds incredible production wise, but michael's voice is just unbelievable. The singles are fantastic and the album tracks are all pretty enjoyable too. Not all of these are hits but it's still a really great album. 5

I LOVE THIS ALBUM FROM MJ

Complete banger got some crazy hits on it 4.7/5

Michael Jackson: Off the Wall: This is actually amazing. He sounds fantastic(of course), but the synths, songwriting, and the bass guitar are actually unparalleled. Super funky and catchy, just a peak album throughout. Add the fact that you've got one of the best voices of all time singing on this, and you've got a gem. 10/10

HELL YEAH!!! perfect album to get me through Friday. nearly a perfect album itself. and for what it’s worth, Rock with You is probably my favorite MJ song. 4.5

Before THRILLER captivated the world there was OFF THE WALL. Here Michal Jackson lays down the formula that would takeover the world in 1982 with the even more distilled and refined Thriller. These 2 records from Michael Jackson would, in my opinion, influence every Pop, Dance, R&B, and Soul artist that would release an album for the next 4 decades, right up to the present, and not just by black artists, but by everyone.

Another 5 stars from me. It’s a tremendous album from the King of Pop. Groovy, funky, catchy, brilliant vocals and backing instrumentation. I prefer this to Thriller.

Only album so far to turn my standing desk into a dancing desk

Personally love Michael Jackson and this is a top 3 album of his

'Workin Day and Night' might just be one of my favourites of his. I can't believe I'd never heard it before. Solid album all round.

This is the BEST Michael Jackson album. Don't be distracted by the hype of Thriller and the rest. I mean, they are excellent, but THIS one is the one.

Well that was one of the most easy listening albuns I have ever listened to.Full of funk R&B and the amazing vocals of Michael Jackson, ans surely one of the albuns that influences loads of artists. I see so much of Justified by Justin TImberlake in here, what a copycat!great opening as well, really hard not to dance!

Amazing Album! Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough is probably my favorite LOL

Smooth as silk. Thank you Mr. Jackson for this masterpiece! There is not a single bad song here. Everything is perfect.

Such a classic album, still holds up to this day for dancing!

Don't Stop and Rock With You are inner circle best pop songs OF ALL TIME. Just perfectly constructed. Those fucking strings on Rock with You...mah gawd. She's Out of My Life sounds like it belongs on a straight to VHS Little Mermaid: Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The A-side of the album is as good of an album side as exists on this list of 1001+ albums and worth a 10/5. The B-Side is probably a 3.5/5--still good but a lot closer to just fine. Average it out and it’s still five stars.

So many bangers on one album - incredible pop album

The best Michael Jackson album in my opinion, yes, I enjoy more than Thriller. It has my favorite Michael Jackson fart song, don’t stop to get enough. Rock with you is also just a wonderful song

You can't whack a bit of early MJ, hee-hee !

Probably my favorite MJ album. Shows a pop star ascending, heading towards his peak and Quincy Jones proving he is the master. Favorites: Rock With You, Get on the Floor, Off the Wall Would I listen to it again: Yes

This isn't Michael Jackson's debut album, but it's the debut album of The King Of Pop.

Off the Wall is Michael Jackson's fifth studio album. While a few of his later albums sold more copies, Off the Wall is considered with Thriller as Jackson's best work. The album is regarded as one of the most influential albums of the disco era, and is placed near the top of the "best albums of all time lists." This album contains a few of Jackson's hits, including "Rock With You," "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," and "Off the Wall." Jackson's songs are iconic pop classics; Jackson was already the King of Pop, even at this early point in his career.

amazing album

There are very few pairings in the world better than Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. This album is simply put, amazing. And this isn't even the duos best album together (that is obviously Thriller). Michael vocals and harmonies are so strong that he would have been a star regardless of who was his producer, as was the case for much of his early career. As Quincy was an amazing producer with dozen of other artist in his career, but this pairing was a match made in heaven. This album is 46 years old, 4 years older than I am, and if it was released today it would be number one, no question. 9.8/10 95/1001

Michael Jackson’s start to becoming the king of pop. Favorite track: don’t stop till you get enough other picks: rock with you, off the wall, she’s out of my life, I can’t help it

Classic

great songs, troubled artist

Never listened before. Listened to it 3 times in one day. Excellent mix of disco, R&B, funk, and pop. Really great record.

That’s a 5 from me, dawg. Is it as good as Thriller or Bad? No, and…maybe? Imo, this is one of the best disco albums, even as late as it came in the era. DSTYGE is a complete classic, and while I’m not as high on RWY, it is still quality. Everything after that is just gravy. The title track has always been one of my favorites, too.

top tier perfect no notes

fun

Non-stop bangers. I rated this 5 the first time and rating it a 5 again.

Micheal Jackson makes a statement about the future of his music with this album. Though still very clearly inspired by older contemporaries like Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Jackson abandons the conscious and soulful R&B of the mid 70s to delve into something new. Moreover, it seems that Jackson toys with the supremely popular Disco genre, but stays away from a full commitment to the funky and dance forward sounds (he'd rather burn it out). Instead, we are presented with a soft blending of genres to create a newer sound for Pop music. Amazing singles like Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough will make you move to the beat, while soft melodies like Girlfriend have funky piano and bass parts that are as at home accompanying Jackson's vocals as they might David Byrnes. I've never been a huge Jackson fan, but this album is a must listen.

4.5

4.5. The best MJ album.

4.5/5

Just such peak start to finish. Deservedly 5 stars because even the not so iconic songs are still incredible bops.

My favorite Michael Jackson album by far. This one is just hit after hit after hit and Girlfriend. A collection of wonderful 70's Disco, made by some of the best people in the music industry. Michael Jackson was very good at surrounding himself with talent while also being a great musician and showman himself. Controversy aside, he's a legend and this is one of the best Disco albums out there.

King of Pop - what else

I used to the like the Jackson Five back in the early 70’s, and since I too was the youngest of 5 brothers, I felt a kinship to Michael. Plus at the time, their shit was dope! By the end of the decade, my musical taste had made a dramatic shift, and I rarely gave their music a thought. Yet this album, as much as I tried, could not be ignored. It was everywhere, and it was annoyingly solid. Wasn’t helping that my girl was a monster fan. Such is life. Much older now, I recognize the greatness of his work. I listen to this today, and it makes me sad. So much fucking talent. What the hell happened? Money and fame? Family dynamics? Mental illness? Drugs? Some combination of it all? God Bless and keep poor Michael. The undisputed King of Pop. Your music will live until the end of time.

The Goat. Timeless Groovy. The instrumental portions were top tier.

BANGER!!!!

Disco, pop, funk, soul, R&B - a great coming together of different sounds. The best pop album of all time, and in my humble opinion Michael Jackson's best - I'd pick this over Thriller in a heartbeat. Shout-out to Quincy Jones too who undoubtedly brought a lot to the album.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF MY LIFE.

Totally poptastic

o som da alegria. pure joy.

GOAT. King of pop ! Enough said. Great album.

"Off the Wall" is the fifth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson. Disco, pop, funk and R&B are the Wiki-listed genres. Bingo! Michael wanted to a record not sounding like Jacksons' record. He first met with producer Quincy Jones while working on the 1978 film "The Wiz." Besides Michael, songwriters' included Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Rod Temperton, Tom Bahler and David Foster. The album had enormous critical success with it being cited as a landmark of the disco era and, commercially, reached #3 in the US and #5 in the UK. A ticking sound, rolling bass and Michael talking begin "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." Then, The swirl of the disco beat and layers of horns. Michael switching between his normal tenor voice and falsetto and introduces his yelps and gasps. The song settles into an incredible groove with the guitar. Quite a song! He slows it down bit with the mid-tempo "Rock With You." Keyboards, strings and very strong and catchy lead and backing vocals. Does anyone hear Boz Scagg's "Lowdown" in that flute/whistling melody break. A ballad that is also very danceable. A deeper cut where the funk and grooves are really brought is "Get On The Floor." Heavy percussion and a deep bass. Worth checking out. The second side begins with the R&B, funky and soulful song "Off the Wall." A slightly slower song with excellent lead and backing vocals. Great bass too. Alright, I knew Paul McCartney's penned "Girlfriend" was coming. A really lightweight easy-going R&B song. I guess I liked it better than I remember as it's not a total throwaway. This is a great sounding album with terrific production. All the details work. The grooves! There were different instruments leading songs throughout the album. It uniquely combined different styles (ballad and dance, funk, pop and R&B) making it hard to really classify into one style. The first album side reminds of Prince in its successful achievement of grooves, funk, disco and R&B. The second side slows it down with ballads and mid-tempo songs but is still strong. Without question, it's my favorite Michael Jackson. It's an album that's still worth going back for a listen.

Vas-y c'est trop connu ça. Je vais faire l'effort (de la frappe).

This resulted in a long discussion with my boyfriend about the private life of MJ. Difficult person slaying in music

Classic MJ

You can't go wrong with a bit of MJ

Every song is brilliant

Masterpiece

Por incrível que pareça eu nunca tinha escutado um álbum inteiro do Michael Jackson. Me arrisco a dizer que nunca tinha escutado uma música inteira dele. Sei lá nunca fui muito com a cara dele. Mas depois de ouvir isso aqui eu quero dar pelo menos uma olhada nos outros álbuns, Thriller talvez seja um outro bom, embora duvide que seja tão bom quanto esse. As músicas todas são incrivelmente dançantes e groovy mas o ponto que mais me prende é a voz, (dããã) o cara tinha uma técnica absurda, não é só alcance das notas agudas, o drive dele é nojento de sutil e eficaz, a interpretação e os riffs dele são do caralho e em geral só bom gosto mesmo sobre o que fazer vocalmente. Os gemidos me incomodam um pouco mas eu relevo porque eu também gemeria assim se conseguisse cantar desse jeito. Depois que o álbum terminou, o Spotify começou a me bombardear com clássicos de soul. Conheci algumas coisas que nunca tinha ouvido e escutei algumas músicas que eu amo mas que não ouvia a algum tempo. Foi uma boa experiência na madrugada. Vou voltar nesse muitas vezes, tenho certeza.

Great one.

Amazeballs

A beautiful album. Joyful, incredible well produce and play.

Easy 5 star

Legendary groovy and sexy

Great album. Wasnt in love with it at first but after listening to it a couple times it definitely is one of the best discopop albums out there. 5/5

Another classic album, my personal favourite Michael Jackson album as well.

Michael Jackson simply does not know the meaning of the word 'miss' as everything he makes is pure funk. I had already heard half the album before, considering it's a pretty damn popular album and I love his music. I'm glad I gave the full album a listen to as the tracks I hadn't heard before were still great

A classic. But also crazy how 1001 albums would rather feature every problematic male artist before they dare include a woman

really good production, each track sounds crisp, his singing is great. favorite songs, Dont stop till you get enough, its the falling in love. 4.8/5 great album.

masterpiece

I think this is in the territory of 4/4.5, but I'm pushing it over the top as I think it's merely being overshadowed by Thriller. It's a bit cliche 80s pop, but it's arguably only cliche bc MJ mastered the sound. The album, too, is full of bangers either way.

Bad was good, but this is better!

Already listened ❤️ Peak Michael Jackson Fire production + vocals

Funky AF. Wish MJ didn't go so loopy.

Don't know why this is always treated like the black sheep in the big 3 that is this, thriller, and bad. To me it goes above and beyond anything Jackson ever did before or after.

Great soul album.

What can I say? one of his best albums! This one I happened to know already. A happy revisit of very good music.

Фанк, соул, диско, немного рока и джаза. Музыка захватила!

Love the first three songs. All so good and great for energy

oh my gosh i’m just handing out 5’s left and right but i mean come on it’s michael jackson did he touch kids, probably, was his music amazing, hell yea, but didn’t he touch kids, yes.

I own this album on vinyl and absolutely love every track. One of the best albums ever. I listened to this twice, five stars easily.

Fantastic album, clearly set the tone for all the albums to come from the king of pop

banger after banger. incredible bass lines

Disco meets Broadway meets pop genius

7/10, cool songs, chill album

73/1089 - What the hell, pop music used to be so cool! Now it's just for girls and gays :(

He truly is the King Of Pop. Favourite Songs: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Workin' Day and Night, Off the Wall, Burn This Disco Out. Least Favourite Songs: It's the Falling in Love.

This will have been my second Michael Jackson album on my journey, after getting Bad as album #78. I remember Bad being a solid, if not perfect, album following Thriller, and now I get the precursor to Thriller. I'll admit, I initially went into Off the Wall thinking it was going to peak early with the first two tracks "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock With You" since they're the only two I heard people play from this, and perhaps the rest of the album didn't hold the same quality. Boy, was I wrong! Off the Wall managed to be banger after banger for me, and the credit is due to Michael's desire to reach more creative heights outside of his time with the other Jacksons and his then-recent partnership with producer Quincy Jones. He knew how to make a classy, soulful-sounding record for Michael to flex his pipes in and bring well-respected songwriters into the foray. That's not to say Michael couldn't do well on his own writing with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Workin' Day and Night", but it helps to have the likes of Rod Temperton of the Heatwaves, Louis Johnson of the Brothers Johnson, Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney behind the pen as well. This album feels like a huge collaborative effort that was taken to craft an eclectic disco record that holds up all these years later. There's not much else to say about Off the Wall; it's well-produced, well-executed, and simply an excellent showcase of what Michael Jackson could do with the right team.

Ya I get it, he’s the king

1. Banger MJ album, might be my new favorite MJ album. Sounds a lot more funky, or I guess sounds more disco, than his other albums that sound more like pop. Can't help but get up and dance when you hear music like this. All the songs are great except maybe one or two. Would add this to my playlist. Favorite song: Girlfriend Least Favorite song: She's out of my life Overall Score: 7/10

Finally a solid album on the randomizer. The others thus far had just clearly been on this list due to how much songs on the albums had been sampled in other well known songs.

I don't think you'll ever hear another album this enthusiastic.

My favorite MJ album. Too bad he was a terrible person.

I understand Thriller being the more important, impactful, and “essential” album in a lot of ways.. but I’m just gonna say it: Off The Wall is Michael’s best album. Ornate production, ripping grooves, and some brilliant ear-worm melodies. One of the greatest A-sides in pop music. 9/10

great album, i think i prefer this over thriller

Can’t really go with anything else here

No explanation needed

FUCKING LOVED THIS ALBUM. Didn’t know I loved Michael Jackson THAT much this shit was awesome. Like 8 out of the 10 songs were perfect 10/10s. A great mix going from disco 70s vibes too sad live songs. Mixing soul, pop, rnb all together so flawlessly. Favourites include Get on the Floor and She’s out of my life. Don’t have words to explain this just a great feeling of happiness and enjoyment. 9.6 4.8/5

He’s the, “King of Pop,” for a reason

maikol shamoun

Perfect “debut” album. Never heard the later tracks and will be revisiting.

This is was a good disco feel.

Banger

This shit fucking still bangs. They didn’t crown him The King Of Pop for nothing. Yeah, yeah, but what about all that funny business with the kids??? Ehh, he’s dead. 5 ⭐️ no deduction for being a creep. Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough is just too damn good 😍

One of the best and not even his best album

Overall: 9/10 Bro who plays bass on this thing??? Somehow I've never listened to this album despite being a big fan of Michael's music (I won't discuss his controversies), and Don't Stop Till' You Get Enough being my favourite Michael song. I think it's because I had a bad impression of disco in general. I wish I hadn't waited so long cause it's funky and fun and sooooo entertaining. If you can get past his eccentricities then you'll love this one. Fav Song: Don't Stop Till' You Get Enough Least Fav Song: It's the Falling in Love

Outstanding collaboration between the King of Pop and Quincy Jones. Insane talent meets creative genius, and it only gets better from here!

listening 3/10

Unfortunately, this album and Max Verstappen's racing success are proof that sometimes a bit of child abuse goes a long way. Sensational. 5 Stars.

Just one of the greatest pop records of all time.

5/5

крутяк.

This is my favorite version of MJ. Just pure funky joy. Can’t help but smile.

Fantastic!!

>Thriller Michael's best album in my opinion. Also one of the best, if not the best, disco album ever made. "Rock With You" is infectious, easily is my favorite MJ song. Then there's "Off The Wall" and "It's the Falling in Love" which are top 10 for me. Plenty of other great songs too. There are a few low points but for the most part its pretty consistent. This album makes me wanna hit the dance floor! 🕺🏻 Favorite track: Rock with You 4.5/5

Is "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" Michael Jackson's greatest song? Was the "Off the Wall" era the latest time he was genuinely happy? Of its time in many ways, but a classic.

Brilliance! So well mixed and love the ballads. No notes

YEAAAAAAAAAAAA forgot how incredible this shit is damn

Never listened in it's entirety. Only ever really listened to Bad and Thriller as a full piece. Enjoyed this earlier stuff and the joy of it. It isn't the same polished masterclass as later albums but there is still an immense talent being displayed, and not sounding at all outdated.

CLASSIC feel good

It’s my favorite of album of MJ’s and Quincy’s trilogy. Sure, what came next would bring him to heights I don’t think even he could’ve imagined, but here Michael sounds more joyous than on any solo album he would make. And he should, it’s a damn near perfect album. Every cut is essential (okay, “Burn This Disco Out” could’ve been left on the cutting room floor), and several songs are masterpieces of the post-Disco and R&B era. A big part of that is his voice. It’s like MJ had realized the scope of what he could produce just with his vocals; the hiccups and squeals that would become part of his trademark sound and are a rhythm instrument all on its own really started here. Just listen to the opening of “I Can’t Help It” (probably my favorite track on the album, and it’s not just because Stevie Wonder wrote it): his breathing alone instantly brings you into the song. I could go on and write a novel on why I love this album so much but Instagram isn’t the platform for such things. Instead I’ll just go listen to this classic again. I do have two solid options to listen with a physical copy, the U.S. and UK original pressings. Interestingly, because of a mastering mixup neither copies have the handclaps that are on “Rock With You” and are on most following pressings and even streaming. Once you know it, you can’t “un-hear” it. I might have to look at getting a later repress; I NEED my handclaps. It shouldn’t even need to be said, but this is a five out of five.

9.3/10. King of pop. Hits again.

Nice

I mean he is a genius. A genius into kids.

Great album, great songs by Quincy and Supurb delivery by MJ. All bangers 10/10

Good Album, very uprising plus I have always wanted to start listening to MJ so this served as a gateway. He has set the bar high with this one, but I am sure he is going to surpass it lmao.

Et ça démarre avec deux bombes qui ne peuvent laisser aucun jarret et bassin immobile : « Don’t Stop ´Til You Get Enough » et « Rick Euth You », avec Ouh !, Eih ! et Ahh! à profusion qui se sortiront ici et là durant tout l’album. Ça se poursuit avec la non moins bougeante « Working Day And Night », avec cloches rythmées, autres percussions, guitares enflammées et pianos. Et la face A se termine par une invitation de Michael à « Get On The Floor » and « dance with me » dans une hymne disco. Première face parfaite. La face B s’avère moins forte, malgré la chanson titre « Off The Wall » qui accote les précédentes. Les autres chansons plus douces sont moins fortes.

Bedste Michael Jackson album. Perfekt produktion fra Quincy Jones

Best songs to dance to

Wonderful! One of my favorite MJ songs ever is on this album, She's Out of My Life. It's beautiful.

5*

If you don’t like this album you can go funk yourself

Classic bops. I will rate everything Motown 5 stars.

Always loved this album as it was the one that united Michael with Quincy jones

Tons of fun.

Superb from start to finish.

Album #1 What a pull! An absolute disco powerhouse, with gems all over the record. The singles are notorious, and the deep cuts are just as entertaining. What a great fucking album from MJ.

I mean

GOLDEN. i can not listen to this with out groovin

Thank you Quincy Jones

Increíble el mejor disco de MJ una locura

Two forces of nature (Michael and Quincy Jones (RIP)) collide to change the trajectory of modern music was we know it. Overshadowed by Thriller, but rarely bettered.

Are you kidding? 5 stars. No question.

It's an interesting album. It did well in the charts, but compared to the NEXT album... it seems almost forgotten. But there's a lot of great stuff here. It's definitely one I listened to a second time. Quincy Jones' touch is all over the album, you can just hear it with every song. It was the start of a triumvirate of an albums for MJ, and it will be known as the peak of his career. "She's Out Of My Life" and "It's The Falling In Love" are probably the weakest songs on the album, but that's just because the other songs really stand out. Most artists would kill for songs like those 2. I don't know if this album is better than "Thriller", but it is definitely a great album. Recommended.

This is the album where Michael Jackson became a solo artist, fully freed from the Jackson 5. Don't overlook it just because it's disco or pre-Thriller. The first three tunes are funktastic disco perfection - just try not to rock to the beat. You know the big singles Don't Stop til You Get Enough and Rock With You but how was Working Day and Night not a single? The beats are ridiculous - so many lame but cool disco moves could've been done to those beats. The next two songs - Get on the Floor and the title track - start a little slow in my opinion but they pick up once the first chorus hits and especially in the bridges. Both are still disco gold. Then he goes in a slightly different direction for the next two with the Wings/Paul McCartney remake Girlfriend and She's Out of My Life. The former is still fun, just less disco (feels more like a song you'd hear on Thriller). The latter is a pop tear jerker (maybe more reminiscent of his Ben) but it is a very sweet song. Maybe my favorite on the album. He doesn't quite recapture the same disco steam when he tries to crank it up again for the last three songs (Burn the Disco Out gets close), but the songs aren't bad. Definitely better than a couple head scratchers on Bad (Liberian Girl, Speed Demon) and I gave that album a 5. So I'm giving this album a 5. All the more impressive when you think about how he was the king of pop - which was a different sound - but with this album he was also the king (or at least part of the royalty) of disco.

Heard before. Close to perfect.

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough // Rock with You // Off the Wall // Girlfriend // It’s the Falling in Love // 4.5/5

I teetered between a 4 and a 5- but when you listen to this album, you can’t help but dance. MJ at his musical finest.

A true classic

Everything that’s great with this record comes from Quincy Jones. This is a pop symphony. 5/5

Classic

He is the King

Always amazing

A classic.

Nikad nisam u cijelosti poslušao ovaj album, sad mi je drago da jesam Vrhunski album, ne znam šta mi se više sviđa na ovom albumu, od harmonije, groova, ovih opakih bass linija (pogotovo na synthu), vrhunska ritam gitara koja zna gdje joj mjesto u mixu, ovi topli lead synthevi, klavijature koje iz pjesme u pjesmu sve tako lijepo bojaju ili ovaj tako fini bubanj Dobro on pjeva, ali ja bi ovaj album bez beda poslušao i kao instrumental i ocijenio ga s istom ocjenom Čista petica, bez razmišljanja

Wonderful y

In light of the recent passing of Quincy Jones, it feels no more fitting than now that I would get an album like this. It’s hard to really express how much of a powerhouse duo those two were. And now that they are both gone, all we have left to remember them is their contributions to the music industry. And thank god this is what it is. I said to my friend recently that if any record were to be left on Earth after we are all gone as proof of human existence, it should be Thriller. I’ve decided today that Bad and Off the Wall belong in there as well to complete the trilogy. Many people forget this was not Michael’s first album, and obviously not his first venture into music. But it acts more as a debut than any other work he had released previously. The differences between this and Forever, Michael, the album the preceded it, are staggering. But it’s clear the four year gap was spent well. I’ve always tried to be realistic about the kind of talent that Michael really had. No, he couldn’t play any instruments. But the voice is just as much an instrument as any, and damn did he know how to use it. I challenge you to find another artist who put layering of his own vocals to use like this. These vocal harmonies are otherworldly. Also, can we talk about this production? Quincy must have been Midas incarnate, because he somehow simultaneously created three of the best sounding albums of their respective time periods. Some of the best bass lines you can find from the 70s, like on I Can’t Help It. As far as I’m concerned, the first half of this is near flawless. And the second leg is great as well, but definitely not as consistent. She’s Out of my Life might not be the most instrumentally compelling the song. But if you aren’t captivated and deeply touched by how genuine and beautiful his vocal performance is on that song, are you even human? Nearly brought tears to my eyes. Much like Led Zeppelin, if I grow to have kids in my future, they will know who Michael Jackson was. And I hope their children will too. Thriller was my dad’s first record at age 5, so clearly it’s been passed down through the generations. The impact these three records have had can never be undone, and I’m glad I got the chance to speak on each of them. Rating: 9/10

ahhhh.. one of my favorite albums of all time, since I got this album in 1979 - I know the whole thing by heart and can say nothing bad about it, it is imprinted in my DNA : ) He made this first solo album when he was just 20, bless his heart! and of course there is Rod Temperton and Quincy Jones all over this lovelovelovelove

DSTYGE is the first single I actually owned - a Christmas gift from my aunt and uncle. They also gave me please don't go by KC and the Sunshine Band. I listened to those singles constantly on substandard record player. But I loved them. Unaware of any cultural relevance of history. They just sounded good. And I owned them. A short time later I would go to Sears and purchase edited version of The Devil Went Down to Georgia - I'm gonna tell you once you done of a gun...they wouldn't sell the one with the naughty words. The point - this album feels like the before times. Before MTV. Before the slickness of the 80s. Its plenty slick but you can really hear the musicians. It's a long way from the Jackson 5 but just this side of something else. While not the colossus that is Thriller - I think this may be the better album. I feel better after listening to it - especially side one - just banger after banger. I was literally just humming Rock with You to myself a few days for no reason other than it's just in the ether of my brain. A heck of an album.

Fav song: Off The Wall The sheer class and production quality of this album is off the chain! Regardless of how you feel about Michael Jackson on a personal level you can't deny the absolute magnitude of musicianship that went into creating this album. The drum track alone on each song had me squinting - not to mention the bass player(s). Fantastic album, amazing musicians, great writing. A smash hit imo.

I love the restraint of MJ’s vocals here compared to later stuff - beautiful. Perfect match for the funky/groovy/soulful brass, bass, guitar & percussion.

CLASSIC.

I think this album is thr bridge from 70s disco to 80s pop. An absolute classic

This was a fantastic album and such an interesting and different style choice from his past and future work.

**"Off the Wall" by Michael Jackson: An In-Depth Review** Released in 1979, *Off the Wall* marks a significant point in Michael Jackson's career, showcasing his transition from child prodigy with the Jackson 5 to a mature solo artist. It remains a landmark album that bridges the gap between disco, pop, funk, and soul, establishing Jackson as a dominant force in popular music. This review delves into the lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence of the album while discussing its strengths and weaknesses. ### 1. Lyrics The lyrical content of *Off the Wall* primarily explores themes of love, escapism, and celebration. Jackson, known for his vocal abilities and emotive delivery, uses these themes to engage listeners on a personal and emotional level. - **Celebration and Escapism**: The album's opening track, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," is an anthem of liberation, inviting the listener to let go of their worries and get lost in the music. With its refrain "Keep on, with the force, don’t stop," Jackson's lyrics reflect an escapist philosophy, where dance and music serve as forms of release and pleasure. - **Love and Relationships**: Songs like "Rock with You" and "Girlfriend" delve into the complexities of love, although they remain relatively light-hearted and direct. "Rock with You" is a romantic invitation to enjoy the night together, while "Girlfriend" tells a story of a delicate love triangle. These lyrics, while not deeply profound, are effective in conveying the emotions associated with romantic experiences. - **Self-Reflection and Vulnerability**: The title track, "Off the Wall," goes beyond typical love themes, addressing the pressures of life and the need to break free from societal expectations. It encourages listeners to live authentically, despite external stress, and to embrace life’s spontaneous moments. The lyrics throughout the album are straightforward and mostly focused on feel-good themes rather than complex storytelling or social commentary. Jackson does not delve deeply into heavy or political topics, which, while fitting the album's danceable nature, may limit the lyrical depth for some listeners. ### 2. Music The music of *Off the Wall* is a fusion of disco, pop, R&B, and funk, characterized by infectious grooves, tight rhythms, and smooth melodies. Quincy Jones's production expertise and Jackson's vocal versatility create a dynamic listening experience. - **Disco and Funk Elements**: Tracks like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Get on the Floor" embody the essence of disco with rhythmic basslines, lush string arrangements, and prominent horn sections. The funky grooves encourage dancing, which was crucial in the late 1970s when disco was a dominant force. Jackson's ability to manipulate his voice to match the instrumentation adds a layer of synergy to the sound. - **Pop and Soul Blending**: "Rock with You" blends elements of pop and soul, creating a smooth, radio-friendly track that highlights Jackson's vocal strengths. The song's arrangement—featuring a balance of synthesizers, rhythmic guitar, and a steady beat—showcases the album's versatility, making it accessible to a broader audience beyond the disco realm. - **Ballads and Slower Tempos**: The album also includes softer, more introspective tracks like "She's Out of My Life," which brings a sense of vulnerability with its tender instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics. The simplicity of the arrangement—mainly Jackson’s voice, a piano, and subtle string accompaniment—emphasizes the emotional weight of the song. The music of *Off the Wall* captures a transitional moment in popular music. It still holds the essence of disco but begins to push towards a more diverse, genre-blending style that would later dominate the 1980s. ### 3. Production Quincy Jones's production work on *Off the Wall* was pivotal in crafting the album's sound. This was the first of many collaborations between Jones and Jackson, setting a standard for their future projects. The production combines live instrumentation with studio techniques to create a polished yet dynamic sound. - **High Production Quality**: The sound quality on *Off the Wall* is exceptional, especially for its time. The use of high-end recording equipment and skilled studio musicians, such as keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and percussionist Paulinho da Costa, contributed to a vibrant sound that remains crisp and clear even decades later. - **Layered Arrangements**: Jones's expertise in orchestration and arrangement is evident in the album's layered sound. The horns, strings, and rhythm sections are intricately woven together, providing each track with a distinct character while maintaining a cohesive feel across the album. The use of orchestration, particularly on songs like "Burn This Disco Out," adds depth to the dance tracks. - **Vocals as Instruments**: Michael Jackson's vocals are not only the focal point but also serve as an instrument within the arrangements. His ad-libs, vocal textures, and harmonies enhance the rhythmic and melodic structures of the songs. For example, the scat-like vocal runs in "Working Day and Night" and the emotive inflections in "She's Out of My Life" contribute to the songs' energy and emotive power. However, the production is very much a product of its time. The heavy use of disco elements may sound dated to some modern listeners, and the reliance on live instrumentation contrasts with the digital production techniques that became more prominent in later decades. ### 4. Themes The themes of *Off the Wall* revolve around liberation, joy, love, and dealing with life's struggles, wrapped in an upbeat and danceable package. These themes are approachable and resonate with a wide audience. - **Escapism and Celebration**: The album emphasizes the idea of escaping life's pressures through music and dance. Tracks like "Off the Wall" and "Burn This Disco Out" embody a carefree spirit that was especially appealing in the post-Vietnam War and post-Watergate era, where people sought a break from societal issues. - **Love and Vulnerability**: Love is explored from different angles, from the euphoria of a new romance in "Rock with You" to the pain of heartbreak in "She's Out of My Life." The latter track is particularly notable because Jackson cries towards the end of the song, revealing his ability to convey raw emotion. - **Personal Expression and Self-Confidence**: Jackson's lyrics often reflect the importance of being true to oneself and embracing one's individuality. The title track’s message about pushing back against life's monotony and societal expectations is a testament to this. It foreshadows Jackson's future works where self-expression and social themes would take a more prominent role. ### 5. Influence and Legacy *Off the Wall* is widely regarded as a pioneering album that helped shape the sound of pop music in the late '70s and early '80s. Its impact extends beyond Jackson's career, influencing numerous artists and changing the trajectory of pop music. - **Bridge between Disco and Pop**: The album played a crucial role in moving popular music away from the traditional disco sound, incorporating more pop and funk elements that would dominate the charts in the coming decade. Jackson’s approach to blending genres opened doors for other artists to experiment similarly. - **Blueprint for Future Success**: *Off the Wall* set the stage for Jackson's subsequent groundbreaking work on *Thriller*. It introduced the world to his potential as a solo artist who could break records and appeal to a global audience. The collaboration with Quincy Jones also solidified a sound that would evolve into the distinct pop style associated with Jackson. - **Impact on Dance Culture and Music Videos**: The album’s danceable tracks influenced not only music but also dance culture, with Jackson’s performances bringing attention to the role of dance in pop music. The promotional efforts for songs like "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" began setting a precedent for music videos as an art form that would reach its peak with *Thriller*. ### Pros of *Off the Wall* - **Vocal Performance**: Jackson's voice is at its peak, effortlessly blending emotion, rhythm, and melody. His ability to switch from smooth crooning to dynamic vocal runs showcases his range and versatility. - **High-Quality Production**: Quincy Jones's production elevates the album, with sophisticated arrangements that still sound fresh and well-crafted. The live instrumentation gives the music a richness often lacking in purely synthesized music of that era. - **Cohesive Yet Diverse Sound**: The album strikes a balance between cohesiveness and variety, successfully integrating disco, pop, funk, and soul without sounding disjointed. - **Universal Appeal**: Its themes of love, escapism, and joy resonate with a wide audience, making it accessible while still retaining artistic integrity. ### Cons of *Off the Wall* - **Lyrical Simplicity**: The lyrics, while effective, are often straightforward and lack depth, especially when compared to Jackson's later work. The themes are mostly confined to love and celebration, without significant social commentary. - **Dated Elements**: Certain production choices, especially the heavy reliance on disco motifs, may feel dated to modern listeners. The sound is very much tied to its time, which could limit its appeal to younger generations. - **Overlooked Tracks**: A few songs, such as "Burn This Disco Out" or "Girlfriend," while enjoyable, do not reach the same level of memorability as the album’s bigger hits. They can feel like filler compared to standout tracks. ### Conclusion *Off the Wall* is a milestone album that marked Michael Jackson's arrival as a solo superstar. Its blend of disco, pop, funk, and soul set a new standard for popular music and laid the groundwork for future innovations. With impeccable production by Quincy Jones and Jackson’s dynamic vocal performances, the album remains a significant work in Jackson's discography and music history. While the lyrics may not always reach profound depths, the album 's strengths in music, production, and emotional delivery make it a classic that continues to influence artists across genres. Ultimately, *Off the Wall* succeeds as a feel-good, danceable album that captures the spirit of an era while also signaling the beginning of Jackson's journey to musical legend status.

I'm not sure why the culture as a whole has decided that Thriller is a better album than this. This is far and away Jackson's best album, and honestly, it's not even close. Every track here is a groovy, funky disco hit. When you have a whole album of songs that could be used to get people moving at the middle school dance, you're doing something right.

Spent longer than I’d care to admit last night unsuccessfully trying to moonwalk

The influence the first half of this album had on the world is so incredibly immaculate and powerful that that alone allows it to have 10/10 in my opinion. Michael Jackson’s music is such an important part of the history of music, and it’s a bonus that it’s so good.

Absolute banger

Near-perfect album

He was an absolute not job, but he could make great music - and he knocked out a few amazing albums over a 15 year stretch, including this one. Say what you want about him inn a non-musical sense, but musically he is one of the greatest artists of all time. Every track is a banger!

Every song on this is an absolute banger, kicking off with two classics before going into some equally groovy deeper cuts. She’s out of my Life is one of MJ’s most tender ballads, and then the pace picks back up again for the last few tracks

Disco isn’t dead.

Great pop album with lots of great songs, a few quieter numbers - all round pretty good

Fantastic, not one bad song, MJ is and was so iconic!

Personel is off the charts on this album. Critiquing the songwriting is usually disco's silver bullet but in this case, songwriters credited range from Paul McCartney to Stevie Wonder to Carole Bayer Sager and Quincy's secret weapon, Rod Termperton. These songs, while firmly a product of the disco era, suprass the limitations of the genre.

It’s Michael Jackson. Of course it’s great.

The first five are the greatest, back half not as strong

There's a reason he's the KING of pop. Enough said

It’s Michael Jackson , ofc it’s gonna be good

This is actually the best Michael Jackson album. Take that, Thriller.

*sighing heavily*

Love him or hate him, the trilogy of Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad (all produced by Quincy Jones) are a masterclass in audio production. Personally this isn't a goto album, but I also have to respect all of the artistry involved, from the musicians, to the engineers, to the mixing and mastering, there are few that do it better.

I like it more than Thriller honestly, it's so damn funky from start to finish.

very likely my favorite album by michael. i grew up with this album, and it really is just so well produced, with timeless instrumentation and songwriting that'll hit now and in like 100 years.

UUUUUWH ja ja ja s beste discoalbum s beste michael album. don't stop tim you get enough isch soooo guet. so viel hooks. d bassline im chorus d strichermelodie de david williams fuuuck. so viel perkussion so tighti blöser eigentlich so en simple song. aber de quincy macht sache demit. ah stimmt de schluss isch nur perlussion synthi und gitarre haha. rock with you slappt heert. huere guete song, viel meh laid back als de erst. rod temperton du genie. bridge isch huuere geil. haha s schnuufe intro uf workin' day and night. so hard. ischs de best song ufem album? good evening david williams, klavier meega geil hallou synthbass. d blöser sind absolut DUMM uf dem song. sooo geil. get on th floor findi biitz weniger starch aber afoch harmonisch au sochli floaty. instrumental bridge mit michael flüstere teil wieder seeehr cool. off the wall isch au nöd min favourite aber der herr temperton chan meeega songs schryben. girlfriend isch en wings song ahaa. macca power. danke dassdem sini recht wegkauft hesch mägge jackson. aber huuere schöne song, möst glaub s original mol lose. she's out of my life hübsch huuuere schnulzig, aber meega geili chords und de michael singt huuere guet. jö wiener am schluss de letst ton fast nöd trifft weller so emotional isch süss. i cant help it STINKT noch stevie hahaha. finds cute, aber merk gad wie die zweit siite vom album scho vieeeeel schwächer isch wie die erst. logisch au ballade und so aber d hits sind uf de erste. it's the falling in love hani etz trotzdem gnosse. okay burn this disco out isch en crazy closer. ischs de phillinganes ade keys? jo hert. de bass isch au insane, so en geile song temperton fuuck. ischs de best? ouu mann isch de out chorus geil aaaaah.

Funky start then mellows out a bit to some cull vibes

Easily his best album in my opinion. While Thriller has higher highs, Off The Wall has always felt more consistently great overall. I could listen to this front-to-back and praise every song, which isn’t something I can do with Thriller. It helps that I’m a sucker for disco, and besides maybe Diana Ross’ Diana, this is the best disco album made by a pop star. Shout out Quincy Jones, for real.

Y’all can keep Thriller and the moonwalk. I am so over Billie Jean. THIS is my ultimate Michael album. Get your funk on!

Michael Jackson's best album. Every song is so funky and sung with such confidence. Nobody else sounded quite like MJ. That's all I have to say about that

perfect

It's a classic, and I used to listen to this over and over again when I was younger.

It's MJ, of course it's gonna be 5 stars.

The first two tracks are absolute classics. Most of the other ones got my foot tapping. Full album is imminently listenable.

I've heard the album before. His first solo album as an adult, and with producer Quincy Jones' influence, it's a unique sampling of the sounds of the late 70's. It also showcases his vocal abilities in a variety of musical styles. A noteworthy classic. "Keep on with the force, don't stop"

Classic Album

Michael Jackson's best album in my opinion. Absolutely fabulous. Good production , good arrangements, music brilliant.

Great album, and belongs on this list. Not much else to say - Every track is well produced and has gold all over it. 5/5

Every song a banger. I feel I’ve heard all of these songs! Seminal.

Classic Michael!

I don't like michael jackson, but even I can acknowledge how good it is.

Flawless, and it’s a shame we didn’t get this sort of classic production on later MJ work

best mj

Pretty good 👍

This album was given to my step-sister on christmas day 1981. I got a copy of the Rolling Stones "Start Me Up" on 45. Proving that my dad and step-mom loved my sister more, or they got a deal on a 2 year old album. We were 9 years old. We played both on our new portable record player a LOT.

probably the best Michael Jackson album, every song bangs

I heard one of these songs while at the doctor's office a few weeks ago, so I've been putting the album into my weekly rotation since then. I had forgotten how superb early Michael Jackson was. It's got all the good grooves and vibes. An easy 5 stars.

Nice

Se me hizo corto, que disca ese

The best example of a musical legacy where a vocalists personal life and his music is best separated!

There is a reason why this is on of the best selling albums of all time. Simply a perfect flow and superb production and this dude is one of the musicians ever. Althougb Ive always felt its perfect today I didnt loved 2 songs cause they bring the feel of the album down too much and then it comes up again to finish with a bang. Even the none hits are great. Masterpiece

Feel bad about listening to him but he really is just so so good at making music

Jackson 5 is one of my favorite artists, and this is the perfect transition from that group to MJ's solo work. The bass playing is a definite vibe, and his ballads hit so so hard. The last couple songs on the album are a far cry from the quality of the rest of the album, but it does not make a large enough difference to impact the rating much. Favorite Song(s): Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough, Girlfriend

I love it, exceptional disco sound

Fantastic

man. its a shame. its a shame. he was the coolest and it’s impossible to fully enjoy like one used to. it will never be the same again. he was a genius and a fucked up human. the only way itd be anyway better is if all michael jackson profits went straight to those who survived through what happened.

amazing , love michael jackson