Pitchfork did not hold back in its assessment of R&B singer Chris Brown’s latest album, Brown. On Tuesday, May 12, the influential music outlet shared its review on X with a blunt caption: “This album is a real piece of shit.”
The post linked to a scathing review by staff writer Alphonse Pierre, who awarded the project a 1.3 out of 10. In the piece, Pierre argued that Brown’s new release is “soulless” and “hit-chasing,” suggesting the singer relies on familiar commercial formulas rather than artistic evolution.
“Chris Brown’s soulless, hit-chasing new album doesn’t justify his return to the public eye,” Pierre wrote.
Pitchfork Rips Chris Brown’s Brown Album: “This Album Is A Piece Of Shit”
The critic then widened his lens beyond the music itself. “This album is a real piece of shit. Why even write about it?” he asked. “For years, traditional media has been tiptoeing around the popularity of Chris Brown, and in reality, that benefits nobody but him.”
Pierre contended that the lack of sustained criticism has allowed Brown to shape his own redemption narrative through chart success and personal testimony.
He closed with a pointed line: “Not every musical legend deserves to be a martyr.”
After the review went live, Pierre acknowledged the scope of his essay on X. He writes that he “went a little long on 20 years of Chris Brown and his new album, Brown.”
The response was immediate. Journalist Melissa Kimble praised Pierre’s candor, writing, “I followed just to show my support and applaud your realness.”
At the same time, Brown’s fans pushed back, with one user accusing Pierre of bias and defending the album’s quality. The fierce reaction underscores Chris Brown’s enduring ability to divide both critics and listeners.
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