Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.4 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 67, based on eight reviews.
Testing was met with generally positive reviews.
Critical reception Professional ratings Aggregate scores The album's second single, " Praise the Lord (Da Shine)" featuring Skepta, was released to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio on June 26, 2018. The album version of the single includes guest appearances from Kid Cudi and T.I. The song peaked at number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album's lead single, " ASAP Forever" featuring Moby, was released on April 5, 2018. The song, "Bad Company" featuring BlocBoy JB, was released as a promotional single on March 28, 2018.
In January 2018, a series of non-album songs were released by ASAP Rocky onto SoundCloud, including "5ive Stars", "Above" and "Money Bags Freestyle". The cover of Testing features a photo by Houston-based creative director Cary Fagan, in which 10 shadowy figures surround a bold typeface logo. The album artwork was unveiled on May 21, 2018, while the tracklist was announced three days later. I prefer to experiment and have my crowd grow with me and to reach new crowds.
People cater more to that because it's a bigger demographic behind that, or it's a guaranteed demographic behind that. People are scared to test new sounds, so they go with what's current 'cause it's the easy thing to do. In an interview with GQ, Rocky stated: "My new album is really about testing new sounds. In January 2018, the album's title was cryptically left under SoundCloud song descriptions, until being officially confirmed in May 2018. 2: Too Cozy as part of the rap collective ASAP Mob. The previous month, ASAP Rocky released Cozy Tapes Vol. Overall the album has several impressive songs that will be a staple to many hip-hop playlists but the album could have been improved by removing some of the slower melodic songs that Rocky has not mastered stylistically.In September 2017, ASAP Rocky announced the release of a new album, originally scheduled for a late 2017 release. With an extensive list of features including Frank Ocean, T.I., Kid Cudi, Skepta, Kodak Black, Juicy J, French Montana, and Moby there were many opportunities for the listener to be pulled away from the lack of depth but many of the features are lackluster. However, this style change comes only in sound and not in substance. You have to give props to Rocky for always trying to push his limits and encompass new styles in his music. The production is still masterfully done and Rocky has chosen great beats and producers to work with but it does not mesh with his style well. Unfortunately this remains true for this album as well. The other songs are slow and melodic that Rocky has rarely excelled on in the past. The rest of the album features only a few more bangers with “Praise the Lord (Da Shine),” “OG Beeper,” “Fukk Sleep,” ”Gunz N Butter,” and “Buck Shots.” We also get a Kid Cudi feature which is more nostalgic than groundbreaking as it revives thoughts of Cudi from “Man on the Moon” but pulls away from the epic vibe Rocky creates on the song. The next song, “A$AP Forever” takes on an atmospheric vibe that is much more mellow than its predecessor but keeps the listener captivated with the classic Rocky flow and booming drums. The opening track, “Distorted Records,” is explosively raw and fast paced, best described by its line “ Big bass make the world shake / Flacko out here causin’ earthquakes.” “ Testing” shines in its production which is crisp and diverse throughout the 15 song album. A$AP Rocky’s newest album “Testing” was his chance to solidify himself as one of the leading MC’s of his generation.