Review Roundup: Keri Hilson - 'In a Perfect World...'

After 12 years in the making, Keri Hilson’s debut album In a Perfect World… finally arrives in stores and on iTunes today. How does it fare with the critics? Find out below.

Entertainment Weekly: [Keri Hilson] gracefully emerges from behind the scenes with In a Perfect World…, a seductive debut CD full of slick, radio-friendly cuts. B+

The New York Times: The excellent “Slow Dance” sounds like a mid-1980s Prince ballad, sparkly and psychedelic, and the album’s high point, “Alienated,” is an alluring cloud-covered plea to an ex in which Ms. Hilson alternates between singing and a sort of whispered rap.

Los Angeles Times: Compared with Keyshia Cole’s and Trina’s typically fiery turns in “Get Your Money Up,” Hilson comes off like somebody Polow hired as an in-studio chaperon. She fares much better in the handful of cameo-free cuts, such as “Make Love.” 2 out of 4

Newsday: The Ciara-like ballad “Make Love” seems to go on forever, especially following the similarly too-long, too-drawn-out “Slow Dance.” Hilson clearly has a lot of potential, as she showed with her breakthrough with Timbaland. But aside from a few well-crafted moments, In a Perfect World… doesn’t come close to fulfilling it. B-

Rap-Up’s Favorite Tracks: “Turnin’ Me On,” “Get Your Money Up,” “Knock You Down,” “Make Love”