Came out Friday. Can't stop playing it. This is giving me real Res vibes circa "How I Do". Maybe a few of the same flaws, too - the guitar on "Muddy" should be louder, maybe even a bit harsher, lean into the rock edge more where it's right; Saba's feature is unnecessary on what is otherwise a stellar track (that second beat that comes in half-way? jeezy creezy). Eager to get the physical so I can see some production credits.
But overall this is a great second release from Woods(loved HEAVN): beautiful concept, beautiful execution, and let's be honest it had me at the mfing TRACKLIST. This year has been *stellar* musically so far but I would not be surprised if this nears the top of my year-end list (or at least gets most spins --- it just seems perfect for mood right now).
2. "great album" In response to Reply # 0 Tue May-14-19 05:29 PM by Kosa12
I really liked HEAVN and this album completely delivers on the promise that was on display there. Everything has taken a step up and I love her writing. Bought this yesterday and can't stop playing and yes - it had me at the track list as well. The only track I am lukewarm about at the moment is "MUDDY" - though I do get what she was going for it seems a bit shoddily executed in comparison to the rest of the tracklist. The reprise of Betty is a bit unnecessary as well, but it's a fun track. I think my favorite track right now is "GIOVANNI". The best part of this album IMO is how she manages to tie in the narratives/questions of the icons referenced into her personal life - this is much more than just a dedication piece. I also agree with you on the Saba feature, it just seems unnecessary (even though I am a fan of Saba)
>The reprise of Betty is a bit unnecessary as well, >but it's a fun track. I think my favorite track right now is >"GIOVANNI".
Ditto on both counts - I like the reprise but it would have served just fine as a remix single - ending the album on BALDWIN would have been a classy move.
And GIOVANNI is exceptional - it's definitely been a "let me listen to that one more time" track, hitting rewind again and again...
>The best part of this album IMO is how she >manages to tie in the narratives/questions of the icons >referenced into her personal life - this is much more than >just a dedication piece.
Yeah - her execution of the larger concept/idea was really on point here - the album isn't overly determined by their presence/stories but the references are unmistakable and quite meaningful in their new context. MILES: shut up motherfucker I don't take requests. SUN RA: since a little one I knew I was a martian. FRIDA: I like you better when you see me less/we could do it like Frida, we could build a bridge then I could come see ya. Everything sort of takes on a double-meaning but again without being too obvious or too on-the-nose...
>Yeah - her execution of the larger concept/idea was really on >point here - the album isn't overly determined by their >presence/stories but the references are unmistakable and quite >meaningful in their new context. MILES: shut up motherfucker I >don't take requests. SUN RA: since a little one I knew I was a >martian. FRIDA: I like you better when you see me less/we >could do it like Frida, we could build a bridge then I could >come see ya. Everything sort of takes on a double-meaning but >again without being too obvious or too on-the-nose...
Definitely agree. I've listened to the album in full a good amount of times today, after more listens, I actually really dig that Saba verse, at first I thought it was a bit too dense (wordy/speedy) for the setting, but now I just think it's dope. Weirdly enough, my two favorite tracks are "BASQUIAT" and "BALDWIN" now - "BALDWIN" probably is my favorite track lyrically.
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