The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is clearly an important and deeply personal record, with moments that shine in both its lyrical honesty and musical confidence. Lauryn Hill’s voice is rich and expressive, and when everything aligns — like on “Doo Wop (That Thing)” or “Ex-Factor” — it really does feel special. The blend of hip hop, soul, reggae, and R&B is distinctive and ambitious, and there’s no question the album meant a lot to a lot of people when it came out. That said, for me, the album doesn’t fully hold up as a start-to-finish experience. The interludes feel a bit forced and can break the flow, and there are stretches where the pacing drags. While the peaks are great, the rest of the album feels uneven, with some tracks feeling more like sketches than fully realised songs. It’s a solid record, and I respect what it represents, but as a full listen it sits in the middle for me.