Heaux Tales

The songs are okay, but the recorded bits of self-affirmation and therapy session outtakes are where this album truly shines.

not bad, just not my jam

Some songs were ok, others not so much.

Really, really loved this concept. I wish it had been a little longer though.

# Album Name: Heaux Tales # Artist: Jazmine Sullivan # Rating: 1/5 # Comments: Not the worst thing ive heard on here. But definitely a terrible album. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No

Girl Power Rap - Nice perspective from a female rapper. Laughed out load a few times, great effort!

I laud the ideals of incorporating topics of feminism, sexuality, classism, and body-shaming among deeply in a RnB record . It just misses a little on the musical execution Marking it a 4 as it’s a relevant and important album as its an open, honest and profound look at sexuality from a female (black female) lens To me Musically it’s closer to a 2

I had never listened to Jazmine Sullivan. Really enjoyed the vibe, not blown away.

At the time of writing this was the final album in the latest edition of the book, although I'm aware that there are more to come. I didn't know about this artist. It's maybe a good sign that it's representative of a genre and demographic that's not very well seen among the bulk of 70s white male rock bands in the list. There's a strong level of female empowerment, sexuality, and body positivity. The music is ok and a bit sparse between the spoken word tracks, but points ads deserved for the messages on here.

Extremely listen-to-able but boring R&B. Themes are very mature and explicit.

Not sure why the default version on Apple Music was censored, but it was oddly jarring to not hear cursing. Thought I was on my kids profile for a minute. Not really my style but I can appreciate the concept of it.

Never heard of this artist. It kind of reminds me of Lizzo who I really like. It mostly just sounds like current generic R&B music with the same lyrical phrasing everyone is doing but it is kind of catchy.

2 - Not bad, but not my style. Skits are rarely a good idea.

No

Musikalisch gut genug um die Lyrics zu tragen. Dafür bin ich nicht die Zielgruppe. 3/5

It’s better then I expected it to be! I was surprised that I liked it so much to be honest.

I support the sentiment of Jazmine here, but this album strays into juvenile tantrum more than it should.

Необычно для меня, но понравилось

Eu não gostei muito, não vou lembrar dessas músicas amanhã. Mas fazia mais de um mês que não tinha nenhuma mulher nessa lista então pelo menos isso foi ótimo: uma sonoridade diferente da hegemonia de rock de piazão dessa lista.

I feel so Empowered™! 😁👍

This album isn't nearly as bad as most of these reviews would have you believe. It's an interesting exploration of sexuality, and I think has a lot more to say than most are giving it credit for. Not one I'll regularly relisten to, but it was pretty interesting.

Good, not great.

I liked the opening, but the album started to lose me in the middle. I almost tapped out, but as I stuck with it I started to appreciate what she was trying to do. I still feel conflicted about what was being represented, but ultimately I think an attempt to show depth behind types of women who stereotyped and dismissed is a good thing. Loved songs like Pick Up Your Feelings and Lost One.

Maso

Your average R&B stuff mostly. Despite this album being quite recent, i had not heard a single song from it so yeah i’m happy to receive something on here from this century for once. Best is “Pick up your feelings”. A high 3

Loved the music.

This was great. Loved it.

I wasn't born to listen to this type of music

Perfect for any woman that would self proclaim they are a “bad bitch” you know the type….

i cant believe i had never heard this

This really confused me

Just awful

Este disco me ha parecido muy común y parecido a muchos otros trabajos. No está mal, pero no será algo memorable para mí. Hay algunas canciones buenas, pero no termino de conectar con el estilo

Nice album of R&B and pop, some of it sexy and funny and irreverent, some of it heartfelt and earnest. I enjoyed it in the moment, though I probably won’t return for repeat listens.

Really nice breath of fresh air for this list (atleast in my rotation, I'm not totally sure how it works). I dig the production, the lyrics, the flow, it's all there for a really solid modern hip hop / rap album. It's funny, I tend to get pretty bored with typical rap tropes, like the "im the best", "sex sex sex pussy pussy pussy" stuff that you hear all the time, but I really like this album hearing a female singer sing (and talk) about sex and not really leaving anything back. It's refreshing, and a cool perspective. One downside is that I feel like there's not enough for me to really sink my teeth into. There's so many good ideas throughout, but sometimes I want to sit back and jam. "On It" is a great track with great blunt lyrics and a super nice groove but it's gone before I can really get into it. Quick math shows me that the first 10 songs average at only 2.3 minutes each.. that could be making me feel that way too.

First album i couldnt finish

SZA’s S.O.S should be on here if this was

I was surprised to see that this album was so recent. It feels very late 90s or early 2000s. I don't think it's bad but I didn't think it was great either. Just okay.

This albums inspirations were clear, it felt very “Lauryn Hill meets Alicia Keys”. Overall a fine album, but to me feels like the type of album that’s been done better, before, by different people…

This was fine but not really my taste. It had some lyrics that are right up there with Meg the Stallion on the horny scale!

2/3. Really enjoyed this album, and love the lyrics and message throughout. Gives real perspective and agency to women that we otherwise deny just because they don’t act the way men want them to. Great R&B grooves, solid features, and a great addition to the list.

It’s fine but sounds a lot like SZA’s SOS album and Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal and I like those two albums a lot more…

Trevligt!

Som med många andra album: Bra budskap men musikaliskt inget som tilltalar mig alls. Också så pass nytt att det känns något tidigt att motivera en plats på listan.

I guess viktiga texter men det är inte därför jag är här tyvärr, i övrigt inget som tilltalar mig.

Bra vibes!

I was completely ignorant of this artist, so I was going in with an open mind. I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt because I am clearly not the target audience for this. First impressions were positive. Her voice is good, very soulful. The vibes are laid back and confessional. It feels like a late night conversation with a close friend, maybe in the dying moments of a party. Some of the lyrics are wild and pretty funny too. Every track just started to feel like more of the same, with very little to distinguish them. Just a generic R&B drumbeat with low-fi backing music. All of a very similar tempo and overall sound. Nothing that stood out to me, except a couple of musical flourishes in one of the later tracks. I actually thought the spoken interludes were some of my favourite parts, initially because they broke up the monotony of the music, but also because it was interesting to get a feel for the singers perspective, and the philosophy of the work. This honestly makes me think that you would need to listen more closely to the lyrics to determine the real artistic merit of the music, if any. I am just not interested in listening to it again in order to do that. 2.5 rounded up.

Really bland 3/10

Didn’t listen to it so I am not the best guy to rate this

Good music, too many talking tracks.

Very odd album for me. Hated the lyrics but enjoyed the beats. Also hated the monologues.

A very creative album exploring concepts of life and feminism, the was a great listen. The little stories leading into the songs were a great touch, and it didn't over stay its welcome. I didn't care for the second to last story + song, because yeah everyone would like to be rich without having to do anything - that's not interesting or special, but the rest were great.

I'm unsure if this music is supposed to be satire or a genuine expression of human emotions and experiences. If it's the latter, Sullivan's life experiences have taught her nothing except that she wants money and that sex is the best way to get it. For all of the feeling expressed in her vocals, her lyrics ring hypocritical as one of the major themes of the music is the independence of women and their struggles, but repeatedly the lyrics remind the listener that men are essential because of their money and their genitals. So what is it, yass queen, are women independent to win their own struggles and make their own mistakes, or are they dependent on men for money and sex? This dichotomy has been explored ad nauseam by other artists, so Sullivan's attempt in this album falls flat as crass and unnecessary.

Nice voice, but hate this shite minimal production modern RnB seems to have these days.

Jazmine’s a great singer, and the record touches on some topics I think are definitely important, but I just think the production is often boring, and it goes a little too far in it’s ambitions for it’s own good. Still had a nice time though.

Good concept but I found the songs pretty forgettable

2nd time ive listened to this album this year and its just not for me

Enjoyed this a lot- breezed through at 30ish minutes with a fair amount of variety. Would revisit.

Loved this, which was new to me. Thanks for sharing RGP. Three stars. Tom.

The spoken word interludes were very reminiscent of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Listening to them back to back did however highlight that this album lacked the same depth and variety of tonality. That may be an unfair comparison but was what stuck in my mind. May revisit eventually.

Superb vocals, lyrics and vibe, just a little samey at times.

This wasn't bad hip hop. I didn’t really enjoy the interludes/skits and I still don't understand why some albums include them, but this wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. It didn't do too much for me. Liked Songs: "Bodies" , "Pick Up Your Feelings" , "On It" , "Price Tags" , "The Other Side"

3.5

👎🏻

“I have sex” 1/5

Incredible Range. Cycles of materialism, sexuality, heart break, personal insecurities wrapped into one. Some songs are nasty (complimentary) Lost One might be one of the greatest break up songs ever made

No idea how this album was so big and I never knew about it. Honestly it’s a pretty run of the mill R&B soul album. It’s got really good hooks and is a well produced album, but I’m not sure why this one would stick out more than any other in this genre. I get heavy early 2000’s vibes here. I prefer side A and I feel like it tapers off hard on the second side. I actually quite enjoyed “pick up your feelings” and “put it down”

I think it’s a great deconstruction of modern dating and I like the beats and flows a lot. This is unique and I can see the Lauryn hill comparisons and I also hear Beyoncé. Lemonade really influenced everything but like I said modern music just has a different vibe and I like this the breathe work is also really good and added to the vibe. He put it down!!!!

Jo, ganz netter Klang.

Price Tags fand ich gut, ansonsten max durchschnittlich

Medium, hat jetzt nicht unbedingt n Platz bei 1001 Alben verdient imho

its alright, but I can think of at least 5 better options for post 2020 RNB albums. considering the lack of other albums from the 2020s and beyond, I find this a pretty strange inclusion to the list.

I don't want to be that guy who is all too quick to dump on feminist art, but I did not enjoy my time with this at all. Heaux Tales is a concept record about conversations about female sexuality. The music here is bog standard R'n'B and the conversational interludes weren't exactly engaging. One of the women interviewed is just complaining that she can't date poor men and I struggle to feel sympathy for them. 'On It' features gloating about their wishes to jump on their partner's genitalia with zero subtlety. On The production is minimalist, so the focus can be on what is said. Sullivan can definitely sing, but there is many moments where her voice is smothered in autotune for no reason at all. Thankfully this was short and I won't be returning to this. As a white man, I acknowledge that this album is not made for me, but I'm ultimately left baffled why this album is considered an essential listen before we shuffle off this earth.

she didn’t even realize she was making great social commentary

doesn't even sound good enough to make up for these bird brain corny lyrics. especially knowing this album was picked over an album like fearless?? madness Girl Like Me wasnt bad

I saw the global ratings on the site for this album and said “Get behind me ‘Heaux Tales’!” It’s a lush and very frank album about sex, relationships, and navigating everything in between. Well-sung and catchy. I guess I could see some of the explicit subject matter being divisive, but I remembered loving this when it first came out and I still love it now. A kind of “dead dove: do not eat” situation here maybe. “Lost One” is my personal highlight - it breaks my heart every time I hear it.

This album was wild! I think I enjoyed it and definitely wouldn’t have found it on my own

Not for me at all. Take the spoken word bits off this and it’s more like an EP

No private session used for Spotify. I hate auto-tune, I am not a fan of "spoken word interludes" and not a huge fan of R&B, so I had pretty low expectations on this one. I didn't hate it, but don't want to hear it again. On a positive note is was under 33 minutes.

I can absolutely get down with the content, but musically this genre isn't it for me

The skits in between kind of ruin it. No need to bring it back from the 90s thanks

Definitely a singer who breaks the mould, and her feminist / sexual politics litter the album, adding interest. Ultimately, not a sound that I’m that into but I can appreciate why this album made the list.

I can do with out the talking interludes. I like the songs a lot though. Although, I miss the days when R&B songs were sexy rather than sexual. I like the honesty on Price Tags and of course Anderson.Paak is awesome. I'm really liking this album (except for the chit chat). Two solid guest spots from Anderson.Paak and H.E.R. Maybe it's something to do with female empowerment with all the periods?

Never heard of her previously, at all. So I was interested to hear. As with Amy Winehouse yesterday, this is perfectly good for what it is. I appreciate it but it’s not for me. Not sure why it would be on this list as it does nothing particularly remarkable.

Album 118. Heaux Tales (https://open.spotify.com/album/5g9YhHW8tE7Tcslgxsk5u9?si=bAGjUtgaT1Csbg2Rkc_6Ww) — Jazmine Sullivan (2021) Why am I hearing about Jazmine Sullivan for the first time ever? If her album is so good and deserves to be in 1001 of the best, why is she so unknown? Because this is shit. It's literally one of the worst albums so far. Her appearance on the Arcane soundtrack "Our Love" is probably the best work of her life. And that soundtrack is not hers, she's just a featured vocalist. This album is generic crap. 1/5 No liked songs

WOW WOW WOW! Favorite track : Pick up your feelings

The most recent album on this list that I have encountered so far! I really enjoyed this album- it switched up classic R&B sex tropes, and was very and empowering

Boring.

Lyrically silly but musically interesting enough to earn a three.

A solid R & B album. Nothing stood out in any dramatic way or seemed too revolutionary but it was smooth and easy listen from start to finish.

I spend a lot of time listening to music, searching for new music, reading and watching album reviews, reviewing year end lists, etc. Admittedly, hip-hop and pop music isn’t my focus and I usually gloss over it, but still if a modern album deserves to be on this list, I’d imagine I’d have at least heard of it or of the artist behind it. Yet, I have never heard the name Jazmine Sullivan, but I guess it’s not the first time something on this list went completely under my radar. Actually listening to this album, I don’t understand why it would be included on this list either. I am all for female empowerment and have positive views on sexuality, but this just comes off as immature. The skits/interviews are annoying at best. The actual production is so simple, which I could get behind if the rapping was able to make up for it, but it isn’t even close. I didn’t enjoy any of this album at all.

Like the concept of the album. But didn't like any of the tracks ...

I understand the concept and idea, but the overuse of auto tune remains so annoying...

Reminded me a lot of the music I listened to in college - Frank Ocean, Anderson Paak, Masego - but with a focus on female empowerment.

As with most R&B, this was all new to me—and made me grateful not to be single. The music had a lot to like, though this isn't my thing in general. Happy to have heard it and to have an introduction to Jazmine Sullivan.

New to me although I see it was winning album of the year awards all over the place among the critics in 2021. I can see why. Feel like I'm not the target audience but some of those tracks are just brilliant - particularly The Other Side

This is a "girl power" album that's not aimed at me. The pop-rap thing doesn't do anything for me regardless of the message. It's just not my wheelhouse.

Why?

God I love this album, every song is essential to it and even the interludes add to the narrative.

Sounds like typical contemporary R&B and Neo Soul.

I’m not really an R&B guy, so I went in with low expectations. This ended up being surprisingly good. The production is smooth without being boring, and the songwriting feels honest instead of manufactured. What really stood out were the spoken word interludes. They felt candid and unfiltered, almost like overhearing a group chat. As a white dude who’s married with kids, it was interesting hearing dating, hookups, and everyday life from a Black female perspective in that raw way. It felt personal and real.

Usually albums like this written by 20 song writers don't do much for me but I'm a sucker for concept albums and there are some really good songs here.

Not my cup of tea at all

Haven’t heard anyone talk about their body this much since heads, shoulders, knees and toes. Not a fan

She's got a good voice, the tunes are half decent, but I found myself ignoring most of it. There are probably people involved in the album who think it's a bit more profound than it is.

This rocks. I've been listening to a lot of R&B rap lately, so this was right up my alley. (Especially Anderson .Paak)I love the lo-fi beats and movements of this. Its easy to groove with and get lost in. A lot of really cool pop songs, but also some fun blues inspired slow jams. The feminism and social aspects were also really cool and poignant.

Talking before every damn song. Not a fan

This is well outside my wheelhouse…

Pick up your feelings is an excellent head turner of a song. The rest are good if a little directionless. Very promising record

- interesting narrative construction - enjoyed a different perspective than what’s usually on this list - not a personal fave type of music for me

standard new r&b. the paak feature was nice. 3.5

This wasn’t on my radar, and I liked what I heard.

Lyndsie told me to listen to this back in 2022 when she was listening to this a lot (I’d heard a good chunk of this already because of her) & never did. Turns out my wife knows my tastes pretty dang well. Loved all this.

What is this? 1001 albums you should hear when you’re horny?!

Second time listening to this album, still has hits. Definitely appreciated it more, than I did when I listened to it. She needs to come back with another album. Top songs: Lost one Pick up your feelings The Other side On it Girl like me Put it down

Bish, no bish. Bish bish no. Oh no

Louisiana stories about promiscuous women.

Delete

I was surprised to see this rated so low. Then I thought a little about the content, the person who it comes from, and the kind of people that vote here - and I realised it's not surprising, just disappointing. This is a decent record, shame so many won't give it a chance.

It's was okish. Had some beats to it. 2.5/5

good message. bad music

Chex

47/100. There are definitely some good songs on here that I enjoyed, but as a full listen it felt like a bit of a slog to get through. There’s plenty of social commentary about growing up poor, navigating relationships, and the desire for success and wealth, and I respect how open and personal it is. It just didn’t really click with me musically.

Good flow. Nothing groundbreaking for me here, though.

This album is a little bit meh, nothing too exciting, just the usual late 90s/early 2000s kind of music, but a bit more modern. This was released in 2021, which is very surprising, but it's not really my thing, although I guess it's alright leaving it in the background.

2/5

5.5/10

bruh

She pulls a Lauryn Hill with spoken word sections and then expounding in song. I like her voice and I think her topics are interesting and relevant even if some opinions are different. Good!

I loved this. It's a peak into a reality that I either willingly ignore or haven't experienced. Probably a bit of both. But, it is frank, and the songs are awesome. Kind of lo-fi hip-hop. Awesome backing beats. I like the discussion leading into a song dealing with that theme.

Overly sexual.

Everything about this style of music just isn't for me at all. The vocal style, generic R&B beats, lyrics about money, dick and pussy. Just the kind of bratty, materialistic attitudes: man must have money, man must have good dick, treat me like a queen. I mean, literally some of the lyrics say that money makes her wetter lol. Nothing original just to me sounds the same as any other similar artist I might have heard. I am glad with this challenge that we're given a wide range of genres and different eras and things I'd never have listened to. That being said, this is the second album I've had in the last few days where I have no idea how it made the list, because you really don't need to hear this album before you die, you just don't.

Did not finish

So surprised with this one! Not usually my thing whatsoever (and I am definetely not the target audience), but I really like this. Really smooth transitions & powerful theme's throughout. Singing was really good as well as the band too.

Not great. I respect it but definitely not my kinda music.

Is it an R&B week? I am not happy about it. Not strong neither interesting album.

I don't think I should listen to this album before I die. At least her vocal range is nice and the production is also great.

It was fine. Not to be old man yells at cloud but it sounded like Lauryn Hill but not as good? If these are the best 1000 albums….

Clearly a very strong practitioner in this genre, just a shame I find it hard to love this stuff. Not something that gives me great joy

meh..reminds me of Miseducation of Lauryn Hill but not as good, I usually like me some Jazmine, she's a talent - just not this album.

Not for me. But it's an album that knows what it is and does a great job executing that. The horniest love songs this side of Prince. In the end I was won over (sort of). Jazmine at least moved the need in a demographic I'm sure she is not looking for.

nope

It's a fine collection of R&B songs, but I don't see what really sets this apart from anything else. 2.5/5.

How is this trash on the list of the geatest albums of all time? Can't even listen to the end. Rate 1/10

un po' insignificante, a dire la verità. mi dispiace perchè è piacevole, ma mi aspettavo di più. anche come lyrics meh? niente di che

this was a fun album to listen to. love the female POV

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GODDDDDDD one of my all time favorite albums being recommended by this extensive list. First album from the 21st century too. An absolute masterpiece of R&B and storytelling.

yawn

Ok

The year it came out, it was one of my favorites

Was so excited to see a contemporary rnb album on the list that I hadn’t heard of. Sadly it doesn’t do it for me to the extent I had hoped. Has me wondering how or why it ended up on the list. Fav tracks: The Other Side RYM: N Saved a song: N

ok. but this genre is just not my thing at all

Vôbec ničím ma to nezaujalo

A good vocalist. But for some reason this album did not hold my attention.

About time for the sexual awakening of rhythm and blues/hip hop female America? I blush, thinking the music is catchy.

Crass lyrics that are supposed to be profound, I guess? I'm not the target demographic. 2.5*

For her voice alone, this gets a 4. Really great production/arrangements as well though. Without over thinking it, amazing vibe record. Cool exploration of sexuality and power dynamics in relationships.

A clear and compelling sound. Don't resonate with some aspects of the lyricism at points but doesn't take away from the experience.

Not much to shout home about. And I hate the album cover. Reminds me too much of Spotify playlists. Surely as an artist you want more than this.

I kind of like the idea of breaking up almost every song with a spoken word piece (and I quite enjoyed them, insofar as someone like me is meant to), but it does make this quite a frustrating stop-start experience. Quite a few of the songs - the one With Anderson Paak especially - are really nice though. A mixed bag.

So this is not my genre. I love the female empowerment and embracing female sexuality. The language is a little rougher then I usually use, but I also appreciate her being all about it and not being afraid to talk about sex from a female perspective. It did run together a little and not always differentiate much between songs. If it weren't for the interludes I am not sure I would have always heard the song changes.

The commentary was interesting but nothing really felt like a song.

Did not enjoy

This really isn't very good, it was quite difficult to get through in honesty. I think of plenty other female R&B artists that would be a better choice

Gosto do conteúdo, a reflexão sobre sexo e dinheiro no gênero de Rap/R&B, mas a forma, pra mim, deixa a desejar Acho que gosto de mais originalidade na produção Faixas favoritas: Pick Up Your Feelings

Well that’s the horniest album on the list.

Never heard of it before. Sounds like modern version of Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Music is pretty good. Lyrics - I am not the target demographic here lol but a fun listen nonetheless.

Mid R'n'B mixed with ltg-like rants. Sounds like album of the year

Not my kind of music. Sexhaver RNB

Wow. Not my usual genre so thought I wasn’t going to enjoy it much. Definitely outdid my expectations. An enjoyable and tuneful listen. Much better than expected

Man I was loving this album until the last song. Pick up your feelings is the definite stand out

- erster Song 10/10: Stimme und Beat amazin - love wie persönlich sie ist; haha that dick spoke life into me - warum find ich das Album erst jetzt - love the message und generell wie das Album aufgebaut wurde - sehr guter switch drinnen

praznik za zene, mnogo hrabar album, meni licno neprijatan u momentima, al kao dobro neprijatan svidja mi se ovo sto ima vise zena i njihovih prica kako se bore sa problemima svojim daje vajb kao dokumentarac + activist film da bude podrska zenama nzm kako bolje da objasnim ne mogu ni ful da se rilejtujem al respect

Great album

this is some awful bitch-ass shit. Can't listen to much of it with all the autotune whale cries but the message I got was "girl power." That got her a second star.

Looks like some incel energy at the top liked low reviews. “Hated it 10s in” just gives it away. Hate to see it. It’s a solid album, I’d prefer more of this than another 90s British rock album. Clear influence from Frank ocean to me.

One of the more recent additions to this list, which really caught me off guard because I thought the latest album on this website was from 2019. I'm no expert in modern R&B vs the older stuff, I think it's important for people to truly have an open mind and actually try to get into music that is outside of their comfort zone. Which is my mindset for approaching this album for the first time. I'm certainly not the demographic as a white cismale, but I do own several synthesizers. I come out of listening to Heaux Tales without any real solid opinion of the album. It is okay, and that is fine. It is fine that it is an okay and fine album. I liked Bodies, Pick Up Your Feelings, Price Tags, and The Other Side. I could leave out the rest of the album. How impactful and its legacy is not something I can forecast or think of, with regards to this list and the albums on it. I will say it's better this is here than fucking Kid Rock or Korn/Limp Biscuit. Doesn't address my main criticism of the list being biased towards European ethnocentric artists, but it's something different. On a different note, Bob Weir died today and he is fucking amazing. Rest in Power to a real one.

A lot of these other reviews stink, like unwashed ass. What kind of moron thinks every single album on the list has to be equal to Abbey Road or DSOTM (WYWH is superior anyway)? You think all 1090 albums are going to be the exact same flawless masterpiece? This album is a great listen with fun if simple production. Maybe some of yall should take a step out of your dad's garage.

Nice to something a little more modern. A little samey for me.

Better on each listen and has something real to say. Shame the reviews are terrible just cause it's just cause it's not actually shit Beatles clone from the 70s

I guess R&B, not sure. Not my type of music.

good and very philadelphia

Mid

This is like everything wrong with society. Less of this more rage against the machine! I really didn’t like this. Her story about guys only wanting her for sex is really sad.

A really cool blend of genre, style, and an incredible voice

loses a star by virtue of not deserving to be in this book

Was gonna say it was decent but too unoriginal but actually listening to the lyrics I hate this. More than half the album is just about wanting to marry rich and spend his money but in a 'female-power' way. It's so stupid and superficial. Also hate the album cover - girl clearly has no fashion sense so why does she need the money anyways

Meh I didn’t find anything outstanding about this album.

Wikipedia says “Heaux Tales” is R&B and hip-hop—basically everything I don't need. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised right at the beginning by a tasteful vocal arrangement. Unfortunately, this good impression is destroyed in most of the other songs by the pointlessly monotonous electro beats that were probably necessary for the hip-hop label. A pure vocal album by Jazmine Sullivan, on the other hand, could have been really good. Still not quite my cup of tea, but it could have been much worse!

Interesting, engaging and introspective look into the modern era of romance, dating and of course sex. A lot of sex talk of this album which usually turns me off of the music because once I get the imagery I can't shake it for anything else. But the album sounds great, thematic, consistent and robust with a myriad of influence. Primarily RnB. I enjoyed it. Maybe you don't need this particular album before you die but yeah its worth a listen.

Not really my type of music

4/5

meh

Not really, my favorite, I liked some of the commentary, but couldn’t get really into the music at all. Two stars.

Urgh. Messages within the album are relevant, but instead of elevating the genre above the misogynistictic shite that talentless trope-hustler Kendrick Lamar pumps out this album flips it to heaux’s and inches instead. I’m saddened that this album exists let alone had a place on this list.

Mellow and smooth.

very surprised, I would actually listen again and I was not expecting to

YUH. vocals are so damn good

"Heaux Tales is about my observation of today's women standing in their power and owning who they are — No longer is male patriarchy dictating what it means to be a 'good girl.' The truth is, women of all ages have been called a 'heaux' at some point in life, whether deserved or not, by some man trying to put us in our place; a place designed to keep us under control, out of the way and usually beneath them. [...] We all have a journey to make and it's our choice alone how we get there." Jazmine Sullivan, Revolt (January 2021) Highlight: On It In a nutshell: "tell 'em, heaux!" As you can see from my review history, hip hop isn't really my thing. This very British style hip-hop. Probably taking a page from Solange's A Seat At The Table and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as well as the cited Cardi B and Lizzo. I didn't hate it but I didn't mind it. It's too early to tell if this album will be a future classic. Four years from release (at time of typing) is not long enough to make that call. And Jazmine is correct. Anyone who identifies as female has been called a heaux or a variant of heaux by a man at least once in their life. I've been called one, and much worse. So fellas, please don't call us one unless we ask you to. Thanks. Overall: 3/10

Not my kinda thing, also boy I hate interludes.

I have NEVER liked a skit from an album before this one. Candid and interesting. That said, the absolute worst kind of music for me is mumbled rapping into a steel bucket with some kind of distortion effect. Fucking HATE, HATE, HATE that style. There are some moments on this album that don't run afoul of my musical tastes, but I can't say I'd ever listen to this again, that I'm glad I heard it, or that I think it has any place on this list. I can say that it was blissfully short, and that for a message as important as Jazmine Sullivan's, I wish it came in more enjoyable packaging. ⭐⭐

interesante...

released 2021. heartfelt r&b album telling the untold stories of women, she gets her close friends to speak about owning sexuality and female empowerment as ‘tales’ between tracks songs i already knew: none songs i liked: pick up your feelings fun facts: she won the 2022 grammy award for best r&b album

This felt like a movie. It would be cool to see this turned into a short film telling different people's situations and life stories

I’d never have listened to this, and I’ll never listen to it again, but it’s not terrible. It’s not as slick and sickly over-produced as much of what I hear of modern R&B, the arrangements sparser and the vocals, especially the layered harmonies, very good in places. Not close to the worst album on this list but that doesn’t mean it deserves to be here.

What the actual hell am I listening too? This is soooooo not for me.

It was not really much, just r&b.

i like the message but the music is just not my thing

Maybe more 3.5, but rounding up. Some fun, but not sure how often I’d be choosing it in practice

I liked it enough. It feels like easy listening. I wanted to like it more because it’s the first one I’ve seem from the 2020s, but it was just ok. Feels like something someone cooler than me would put on at a party and I’d be ok with. The album itself had speaking sections in between each song, which I didn’t love, but I guess I’m kinda warming up to those things

I mean this was fun. I liked "Bodies - Intro" and saved "Antoinette's Tale" and "Girl Like Me (feat H.E.R.).

Didactic concept album exploring themes like feminius, sexism, classism, and body-shaming. Four years later it seems to be an album from better times. Musically R&B.

Interesting song presentation with samples from different perspectives. Really liked this one

I have watched the Grammy’s every year since 2018. I remember this being nominated for a bunch of awards. I never listened to it. It just seemed to be one of those like a Jon Baptiste or a Jacob Collier where critics seem to like it but no one in reality actually listens. I liked it. The structure of going from spoken word interlude to a song that covers many of the same themes is interesting. Also this gets bonus points for being (I’m pretty sure) the only album in all 1089 on the list to feature Anderson. Paak. Her vocals are good and the instrumentals have a nice variety. Favorite songs were Pick Up Your Feelings, Price Tags, and The Other Side.

interesting. I like how they spelled Hoe. Good stuff so far. I like her style. Has a little Ri-Ri in her. But she also has some R&B to. It's good. Just not something I listen to everyday.

Well it was a little out of my usual taste but I think the on it track in this is quite a listen.

ABBA is not for Bee. I think it’s just too happy-go-lucky or something.

What is this retarded shit? DEI album selection?

Also gay ladies?!

I do not know how to relate to or enjoy this. Worse, it’s objectively inessential. 1.5/5

Bland music, annoying interludes

Didn't do anything for me really. I wasn't offended, however there was nothing exciting in this and I don't understand out of all the very good music there has been recently that this would be on the list. Within the same genre there have been many very good albums that should be on the list ahead of this.

Given how recent this was, I was expecting much more. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more with more active listening, but not bothered by this based on what I did hear.

Lo grade Beyonce - even the collabs with Anderson Paak and HER were only OK (and the best songs on eth album). Spoken work interludes suck.

Can't deny the talent but as a middle aged white guy from Australia, I was very much not the target audience. So hight rated even though I'll never listen to it again.

This girl seems annoying to be around in person

503/1001 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

What a stunning album! i added two songs of it on my black music playlist! the vocals are amazing, jazmine was on fire here!

As a middle aged white dude, I'm not her target audience. Saying that she has a great voice and the some of the music was pretty cool.

nice enough but there must be more than 1001 better albums out there.

i like that it includes people’s tale’s, and the music is pretty catchy

Nothing special.

2020s R&B.

Not what I usually listen to, but that's not a bad thing. Reminds me of stuff my mum would listen to when I was a kid. Objectively, the lyrics of these songs seem quite shallow. They speak a lot about sex and money, I feel like I'm too far removed culturally to fully appreciate what's being presented here. That being said, the music itself is great! Jazmine's voice is fantastic and the beats sounds great too.

Way better than I thought it would be I dont want to be like, its just a 3, because the 3s get lost a little. Its a very very high 3

This would have been tolerable if not for the lyrics. They are explicitly sexual and the sex is all transactual. It’s supposed to be some kind of feminist statement but it all boils down to women using their bodies to get what the want.

Some people like this type of Music, it’s probably quite good but I don’t like it.

Generic, boring and derivative. I don’t think it’s one of the top 1001 albums of that year.

Fav: Put It Down Least Fav: Lost One Some of the beats on this were amazing, I don’t get the low overall rating

There's an odd feel to this album that a lot of pandemic-era productions have. The music feels underdeveloped and impersonal, which ends up feeling strange in the context of such intimate subject matter. The framing device for the album is interesting, but the way the stories are integrated feels completely detached from the rest of the album. I wonder how it would feel without those segments? That being said, I didn't find it easy to get into this album, but I came around on it some by the end. As I write this, the album is a mere 4 years old; I wonder how it will be regarded in the future. Favorite track: "Lost One"

Bad beats, bad production, bad vocals, just all round terrible.

hmm

Rv

Really taken by this! Completely unaware of it before today, even tho it’s one of the newer albums on the list. An intense, funny, sad, introspective, cutting, tuneful, soulful look at black women’s sexual lives. Just, like, six solid tracks with interludes. I liked all of it!

meh, ça existe, pas désagréable mais j'ai rien retenu de bien intéressant non plus.

I enjoyed the lyrical content more than the music, but overall it was okay. 2+ stars, not quite the standard 3.

Nothing here that draws me back to listen to it again. Straight up R&B and nothing too exciting.

This was pretty ok, nothing special R&B to me.

Not my kind of music but listenable.

While it wasn't bad per se, I didn't see anything that was somehow outstanding to make it onto this list. You heard the same pro-sexuality feminism and "grrrrrl" stuff and that over melodies and beats that neo-soul already did better in the mid- and late 90's.

Aikas hirveetä

Ihan saisse 💩

It seems good for what it is but I struggled to home in on the details. It kind of just played like background music. I like how the skits bring the whole album together, as a complete, well considered project. If I was into this kind of modern R&B maybe I'd enjoy this more. It seems like a good example of the genre. 3/5

I’d never heard of Jazmine Sullivan, so this was a good discovery. I liked this album a lot - frank, funny and short enough that it’s never in danger of wearing out its welcome.

R&B

not my cup of tea

Reminiscent of Lauryn Hill

Aight.

The message of the album is great but it’s just not for me. I hate this kind of music and so I didn’t care for the album itself

If I could give this negative stars I would

Did not manage to enjoy it.

Interesting to hear as it was clearly an impactful album at the time. I just don't know what to do with it... I don't think i'll find myself singing along.

I enjoyed the composition of the album, with the spoken interludes, and I enjoyed the realness of the album. But I don’t think it would stand up on its own with out the interludes, and the songs themselves were largely bland.

I'm always a little suspicious of albums inducted into the book that came out in 2020 or after, based on not yet having enough time to reflect on all the music released and pick the true gems. Then I'm reminded that collections like this (1001 Albums, NME's 500, RS's top 500, etc.) are essentially lists of popular music, so why wait? Why bother to look far and wide for the best, most inventive musics from everywhere? Why not just watch what charts and what makes other critics' year-end lists and go from there? But what if — and hear me out — the album was both popular and inventive? Something appealing to casual listeners and revealing of some greater truths about the times? Maybe it could slip into the mix a little ahead of any arbitrary gatekeeping timetable. Heaux Tales might be that record. Then again, it might not.

Pretty good.

It's fine I suppose, nothing particularly interesting. I think there's stronger examples of this genre/sound from the same time.

This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I respect Jazmine Sullivan’s talent — she can clearly sing, and there are moments on this album where the production and vocal performances really click. But the album’s structure and framing ultimately pulled me out more than it drew me in. The spoken-word interludes are the biggest hurdle. They’re meant to tie the themes together, but for my ears they broke the musical flow and leaned too hard into shock value. Tracks like “Donna’s Tale” — complete with churchy organ underscoring a monologue about sleeping with husbands — were more distracting than illuminating. And songs like “Price Tags” just didn’t land for me stylistically. There’s good work here, and I can appreciate what Sullivan was aiming for, but the combination of the interludes and the subject matter pushed this one outside what I genuinely enjoy. It didn’t quite work as a complete listening experience. Rating: 2/5

Does this even qualify as an album? It's listed as an EP on some places. Still, this was pretty decent. Fresh combination of Neo Soul and some modern R&B influence. The short runtime really aided the pacing, even though the frequent skits made it a bit of a drag to get through at the end. It's something fresh in the list for sure, and a hell of a lot better than the other 2 2020's albums I've had so far.

7 / 10

- I'm not sure how to rate this. - People are saying it's really empowering, and I guess in terms of being honest about what is happening, but I just hear another record of women centring men. It's relatable in terms of going through a period where you start to understand the realities of living under patriarchy, but I'd prefer to listen to a women-centred album where she speaks about something other than relationships/sex with men. I'd also like to hear more about what she's learned from the experience -- she dumped a few losers, but that seems to be about it. - It was pleasant enough to listen to - she has a nice singing voice. Would like more memorable melodies and instrumentals, but I didn't dislike anything!

Initial memory was this was All Songs Considered Core, laser-targeted at a specific kind of NPR listener who might even still buy physical media (this is me). But, it’s not that bad. The actual songs/atmosphere feel like an echo of early 2010s pop/hip hop with a series of interludes/commentaries inserted for thematic cohesion or time-specific relevance. Yet it’s another curio in this list and its inclusion feels weirdly rushed. I like it fine, I also like nearly every Samiam record or Dischord release, so my taste is pretty whatever. Is this list now just a shadow sociopolitical history as it adds entries or merely a continued reflection of the fleeting tastes of music critics? There are comparable inclusions from the 1980s on, so it’s nothing new having something that plausibly had a moment and then just disappeared, which this most certainly has. Which returns to the question: why is this here if it has had little if any staying power? Jazmine hasn’t even hinted at releasing a follow-up and largely faded from view after the promotion cycle concluded. It’s a fine record (as she says, EP, indeed) and I’d like to hear more from her in this vein, but uh, what are we doing here?

Aptly named. Not for me, but kind of a cool concept album.

I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of R&B women's anthem album. The vocals are pretty good, and I can respect this for what it is. There is nothing particularly objectionable here, but nothing special either. Hard to understand how this made the cut. This isn't something I could see myself listening to again.

pretty good, would never have listened to this

This is way worse than the other 2021 album.

Woah pretty fun

Amazing voice

puettey fun, aber au nüd mega speziells wo us Sockene (Mehrzahl) haut. Defür e neui Artist kenneglernt. 3 durchschnittlichi Durchschnittssternli

he so rnb-pop 2020er gschmeuss holt mi zero ab. vill meh wetti da au nöd üssere

No thank you. Take it off the list. Couldn’t think of anything else to sing about besides being horny? Waste of time

I guess it’s well done and I like her grit but outside the ‘’concept’’ I don’t really get why this one is special.

Tell me you don't know what to put on this list after the 20th Century without telling me.

Well.. Who knows!

Heaux Tales indeed. Jazmine tells us she wants to ride it and spit on it. I guess the overt sexual theme wore thin immediately for myself. I just didn’t find it interesting. Standard r&b tracks with vocal runs amock is the only thing that I got from this.

Surface level take on gender dynamics. Nothing like the miseducation of lauren hill. Flows similar to popular songs of the era - if that’s laziness -1, if that is commentary of a woman’s take on a male dominated landscape +

This music on this album is annoying, although I did enjoy the spoken (shouted) pieces between the songs.

Did Lauren Hill grow up and become a 'Heaux'? My favourite bits of this album were the spoken word interludes - they showed more insight than the tracks, and were an nice way to break up the fairly basic music and ordinary production. I personally reject the idea that tracks like these are about female sexual empowerment - its still entirely for men and for the male gaze, screaming 'pick-me' energy and female self-deprecation (which I suppose makes a change from the male deprecation of women so often heard in this genre!). While I don't feel like like this album was even remotely empowering, I am all for women singing about whatever they want, especially breaking down barriers around sexuality and power imbalances. There are far too few female artists on this list. This music just isn't for me, not only in the lyricism but in the style, the whole thing felt very superficial - or maybe I just need to check my privilege? It really feels like Dimery phoned it in with this addition.

It’s ok

Just about anything mediocre is on this list. 0/5

Yeah, this had its moments, but it's just not a genre of music that I super enjoy listening to. I found myself humming along to most of the tracks and there were a few that I did enjoy, but for the most part I was just kinda bored. I really don't get the spoken word tracks on rap/hiphop albums... Who enjoys listening to someone talk about how shitty of a person they are or act poorly in some skit about some boring story of shitty people? I don't know, that was just not very interesting to me. But the music was well-produced and well-performed. I wasn't wowed by any of it, but it was passable as "good". Three stars.

Nah. This ain't it fam. The album doesn't sound good. Maybe get another producer/engineer. Let's work on the mix here. Even that might not save this trainwreck. Lyrically, not great. Her voice is nice and could probably sound great on the right track. This isn't an unlistenable album; I just don't ever want to listen to it again.

yes

Went in thinking it’d be a 1 star. Still felt that way after first half as every song just seemed the same (only so much you can do with drums which is why I don’t really like modern hip hop). Second half kind of clicked and I enjoyed the last 3 songs or so. Probably closer to a 2.5 for me which is saying something but I’ll round up to 3.

Meh

Pleasant surprise here; I was NOT expecting to enjoy this at all, but it’s pretty solid the whole way through. I would give it a three as it’s still not really my kind of music exactly, but after reading some of the other reviews on this website I have to round up to four stars to deliver some justice/reward it for pissing off so many idiots. Lots of guys down there complaining about the ~disgusting~ lyrics who I bet didn’t take half as much issue with Dr. Octagonecologyst/whatever their favorite classic rocker had to say about his experiences with fifteen-year-old groupie girls/etc. I’m not even a fan of the ideas of “reclaiming” words like bitch/ho/whore/whatever generally; I don’t actually find the idea of styling myself as a sex object any more “empowering” than I do the idea of denying/suppressing the existence of female sexuality at all. But that’s not really what this album is doing, if you're fair to it.

Oula, j'ai pris un ptit break d'écriture dimanche, pis rendu lundi j'ai aucun souvenir de l'album. Je le relance pendant que j'écris à Cyril, je reviens tantôt. Ok, c'était correct, rien d'hallucinant ici. _ De retour encore, je vais essayer de faire bref Je suis content que tu ai bien aimé mes suggestions en général! Je comprend que du Lisa Leblanc, c'est un peu un «Acquired taste» (je l'aimais pas tant au début de sa carrière, qui était très country), mais je trouvais tellement cool le retour au disco ultra groovy avec son accent acadien, ça crée vraiment un univers très distinctif. Ça m'a aussi fait réaliser que je suis genre immunisé au kitsch? Je vois souvent ce terme véhiculé dans les critiques de ce site, souvent sur des albums funk/dad rock, mais je comprend pas le déconfort que c'est censé produire chez l'auditeur. C'est peut-être la même sensation que de voir tes oncles/tantes qui s'habillent avec les mêmes vêtements qu'ils portaient quand ils avaient 20 ans. Je sais, pas, éclaire-moi! OUI JE SAIS, JE VEUX UN CD DE PING PONG GO!!! Mais je comprend, ils sont turbo-underground, genre j'ai entendu aucune de leurs pièces à la radio. C'est dommage, parce qu'ils ont un son ultra intéressant et il n'y a pas un groupe comme eux au Québec en ce moment. En fait, il y a un groupe du Saguenay que j'ai découvert récemment qui te plaira à 100% et que tu pourrais faire un super article sur Mowno. Le groupe s'appel Angine de Poitrine, c'est un duo qui font du rock hyper lourd à la King Gizzard. Ils utilisent la micro tonalité pour enrichir leur son vu qu'ils sont juste deux et ça crée des supers ambiances totalement chaotiques. Oh, j'oubliais, ils sont aussi costumé en arlequin avec d'énormes têtes en papier mâché. Ils ont seulement un album de sorti l'an passé, je reste à l'affut pour la suite! Je te recommande leur micro spectacle live diffusé sur YouTube, c'est beau de les voir en actions! Sinon, j'écoute présentement Yoo II avec Nolan Porter, c'est vrai que c'est pas mal bon! Je te contacterais si je tombe sur un autre band d'ici qui font du bon stock, je garde l'oreille ouverte! Allez, à la prochaine! Émile

The negative reactions to this album are extremely overblown. It's far from my favorite, but Jazmine Sullivan is extremely talented and the issues she talks about are meaningful and emotional. I did find it a little short and some of the songs had production I didn't love, but she really carries it. Favorite Songs: On It

Not to sound like the old curmudgeon that I am, but I don't like the musicality of modern hip-hop and R&B. The rhythmic meter and booming bass is repetitive and boring. Insert "old man yells at cloud" Simpsons gif. There's some interesting moments in here, especially in the structure of the album as a concept, but the content still feels vapid to me. Sure, there's feminist themes, but there's no powerful insights, it's all reduced to old rap tropes such as sex and money. Grandpa Simpson disapproves.

Awooga so sexy