Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	8.0/10
Metacritic	86/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Chicago Tribune
The Guardian
The Irish Times
MSN Music	A−
Pitchfork	8.4/10
Q
Rolling Stone
Spin	9/10
USA Today

Kaleidoscope Dream is the second studio album by American R&B recording artist Miguel, released on September 25, 2012, by RCA Records. After attaining commercial standing with his 2010 debut album All I Want Is You, Miguel wanted to play a larger creative role in his music and principally produced and wrote Kaleidoscope Dream. He recorded most of the album at Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York City and MJP Studios in Los Angeles, and worked with producers Warren "Oak" Felder, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis and Salaam Remi, among others.

The music on Kaleidoscope Dream draws on R&B, pop, funk, rock and soul styles, as well as elements from electronic and psychedelic music. The album's producers incorporated dense bass lines, buzzing synthesizers, and hazy, reverbed sounds in the songs, which deal mostly with sex, romance, and existential ideas. Miguel titled Kaleidoscope Dream as a metaphor for life and wanted the songs to reflect his lifestyle and personality.

Before Kaleidoscope Dream was released, Miguel previewed its songs virally through a series of free EPs. It was also promoted with three singles, including his biggest hit to date "Adorn", and his touring in North America and Europe during 2012 to 2013. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 71,000 copies, and by June 2015, it had sold 535,000 copies.Kaleidoscope Dream received rave reviews from critics, who praised its eccentric style and Miguel's singing and songwriting.

After it was shelved by Jive Records for two years, Miguel released his debut album All I Want Is You in November 2010. It sold poorly at first and was underpromoted by Jive, amid the label's dissolution. However, as its singles attained radio airplay and Miguel toured in its promotion, the album became a sleeper hit and helped him garner an audience and commercial standing. He also garnered a following with his fervent concert performances. After Jive was shut down and absorbed by RCA Records, Miguel acquired a new marketing team to develop himself as more than a typical urban artist, having felt pigeonholed into being marketed as one by Jive. He said that the experience of balancing creativity and business sense on his first album made him more confident in his approach on Kaleidoscope Dream.

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