SAVAGE MODE II

Pitchfork 6.6/10 The sequel to the canonical Atlanta mixtape is meant to be a legacy-defining stamp, but despite all its glossy guest stars (Morgan Freeman!), it never rises above “just fine.”

The Needle Drop 7/10 Savage Mode II is a rare instance of the sequel being WAY better than the original.

NME 5/5 Which other rap album in 2020 has production as good as this? Clearly 21 Savage has a point to prove, too, the duo weaving a cinematic odyssey of sound.

Rolling Stone 4/5 With Savage Mode II, 21 and Metro have created a near-perfect sequel that revisits the moods of its predecessor while simultaneously carving out its own distinctive identity as tribute to the music they grew up on.

Clash 8/10 ‘Savage Mode 2’ matches ruthless entertainment to phenomenal artistry, a collaboration that works on a number of levels. Once more exposing fresh layers to 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, hopefully it won’t take another four years for a third instalment.

Slant 4/5 The album is a ratification of “bigger and better,” an example of steady improvement through impeccable craft.

Beats Per Minute 67% In the end, you get 44 minutes of solid beats and bars and a handful of songs to put on your best-of playlists for Savage and/or Metro. That’s not the worst thing, but on Savage Mode II it feels like there’s both too much and not enough going on at once.

RapReviews.com 6.5/10 They seem to know each other well, compliment each other well, and do some of their best work with each other.