Mr. Wonderful | ||||
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Studio album by Action Bronson | ||||
Released | March 23, 2015 | |||
Recorded | 2014 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 49:18 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Action Bronson chronology | ||||
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Singles from Mr. Wonderful | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Billboard | |
Consequence of Sound | B |
Exclaim! | 7/10 |
HipHopDX | |
Pitchfork | 6.3/10 |
PopMatters | |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 8/10 |
XXL | 4/5 (XL) |
Mr. Wonderful is the second studio album by American hip hop recording artist Action Bronson, released on March 23, 2015, by Atlantic Records and Vice Records. The album is Bronson's first for a major label, after signing to Atlantic and Vice, in August 2012. It was preceded by several mixtapes and EPs, including the Blue Chips series and Saaab Stories (2013).
The album, recorded throughout 2014, was produced by several high-profile record producers, such as The Alchemist, Mark Ronson and Noah "40" Shebib. The album has guest appearances by Chance the Rapper, Meyhem Lauren, Chauncy Sherod, Party Supplies and Big Body Bes. Upon its release, Mr. Wonderful received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Bronson's lyricism and production choices. The album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 and was supported by four singles: "Easy Rider", "Actin Crazy", "Terry" and "Baby Blue".
Bronson began attracting major attention after collaborations with American music producers, Statik Selektah (Well-Done) and The Alchemist (Rare Chandeliers). In August 2012, Bronson signed a recording contract with the Warner Bros. Records and Atlantic Records' imprint Vice Records. His first release for Vice was an extended play (EP) titled Saaab Stories, released on June 11, 2013. After announcing the title of his first studio album for Vice, in May 2014, Bronson spoke with New Musical Express about the album, "The album is sounding incredible. The whole album is a standout. I don't care about individual songs, I'm trying to make a complete, classic project. I just do my music uninfluenced by anybody else, or current trends, and it comes together at the end. Nothing needs to have a fucking theme all the time. This is just rap. I'm not trying to make people think I'm some sort of scientific wizard or inspirational poet. Fuck that! It's just happy, funny, rugged, rough rap." On November 24, 2014, Bronson revealed he had finished recording the album.