"808s & Heartbreaks" is perhaps the most perfectly named album in existence. Like other great album titles, it tells you what it’s about. What sets "808s" apart is that it also tells you what it is—808 drums and sadness.
With that in mind, and for no reason other than I had an article deadline, I’d like to do a review of an 8 year-old album, judging it on two important qualities: how each song sounds and how much heartbreak is in it.
Obviously judging how a song sounds is subjective as all hell, but I tried to judge it based on how well the different sounds work together and whether it seemed to succeed. I also know jack shit about reviewing music, so bear that in mind too I guess.
"Say You Will:" 10/10 and 10/10
A perfectly epic sounding song, empty and full simultaneously.
"Welcome to Heartbreak:" 8/10 and 10/10
Kid Cudi is amazing, but the rest of the song isn’t up to par. Kanye’s verses are just depressing though.
"Heartless:" 9/10 and 8/10
Autotune used perfectly, and “How could you be so heartless” is such a simple yet effective mantra.
"Amazing:" 9/10 and 5/10
The only reason this song isn’t a 10 is because Jeezy’s verse is ass. This song kind of sticks out by not really being about heartbreak but more just Kanye bitching about being really cool and influential. He’s really good at that, but it’s just not as moving as the other songs.
"Love Lockdown:" 9/10 and 9/10
Mmf, the drums. Just a great song.
"Paranoid:" 10/10 and 7/10
Whatever this style is, Kanye could have made an entire album that sounds just like this one song and nailed it. Sounds absolutely perfect and is really unique while still working with the other songs.
"Robocop:" 7/10 and 6/10 -> 9/10
Sounds weird, and is just a bit too all-over-the-place to sound great. The heartbreak is a 6 until the “Your first good one in a while” at the end when it becomes a 9 because that line is killer.
"Street Lights:" 8/10 and 12/10
I do not recommend listening to this song when you’re actually sad. Crushing—and yeah I know it broke the scale, but fuck it it’s my scale I can do whatever I want.
"Bad News:" 9/10 and 9/10
Violins. Really sad violins.
"See You In My Nightmare:" 6/10 and 7/10
I’ve never really been a fan of Lil Wayne’s voice, so I’m biased, but I think this song could have been cut and the album would have been better for it.
"Coldest Winter:" 9/10 and 10/10
When the drums come in for the second time—that’s a perfect way to end a goddamn album.
Those are my thoughts on "808s & Heartbreaks," let me know if you have your own thoughts or you disagree. I don’t really care though, these are all just opinions cause that’s how music is. Hope you enjoyed reading this, and hopefully it made you want to listen to this incredible album either again (or for the first time if you’re lucky).
