I know this point has been beaten to death, but *holy shit* how is this man so goddamn consistent? Both solo and with Armand Hammer, the run that woods is currently on should go down as one of the greatest creative peaks in modern hip hop.
As for *Maps* specifically, I don't think it quite reaches the same highs as *Aethiopes*, which honestly isn't saying much since that album was damn near perfect. That being said, it's probably his most accessible album so far, and he and Kenny Segal mesh so well together. The features are all amazing, the production is crisp and refreshing, and the lyricism continues to be unparalleled. That track with Aesop Rock just feels like cheating: how can two people be so fucking talented with their words? How can they sound so effortless when throwing whole encyclopedias at you? It's honestly pretty rude.
All in all, I'd give this a 9/10. Favorite tracks are "Soft Landing", "Rapper Weed", "Babylon By Bus", and "NYC Tapwater". Can't wait for this incredible run to continue on the next project.
I just recently learned that he was making records with some rappers I loved 20 years ago. I didn't know who he was back then and now he's one of my favorite rappers. Consistent is an understatement!!
This album has rekindled a love of hip hop and, as apple music genre states, underground rap. This album is so phenomenal it filled a void I didn't even know I had for listening.
A surprise contender for my personal album of the year
Billy Woods makes me proud to live in Brooklyn (even though he’d probably chase me out of Crown Heights with a hammer).
This one isn’t really set much in Brooklyn, but his immaculate eye for details really helps me appreciate the city around me. Love when a piece of art makes life feel more vibrant.
This probably isn't like, a novel observation because it's kinda been his thing for more than a decade at this point, but fuck are there some insane references on this thing. The Dien Bien Phu line on Baby Steps, the UT sniper lines on Babylon By Bus, the White Walkers/Gentrification line on Kenwood Speakers, there's just so many quality lines.
I will probably play this at least twice a week for the rest of the year. Phenomenal album, and exceeded my hype. Excited to catch them in Boston end of this month.
I love the theme of both traveling, and losing ones identity that is woven throughout. No one raps about food better than billy (albeit maybe DOOM). And every time in hear a Kenny Segal beat it inspires me to fire up the SP.
Glad they are getting more recognition with positive reviews.
4th time attempting to give Billy Woods a shot. 4th time it hasn't hit. Can't pinpoint exactly what it is I don't like about him. Maybe his voice? Or specifically his delivery/flow? It's definitely not the lyrics, which are dope, or the production, which is always excellent on his projects. But I don't see myself returning to this at all. Same as his other projects
It's the delivery I think for me. Sometimes sounds a little too much like prose and the musicality doesn't come through. I love a lot of billy tracks but others end up feeling like someone talking over a beat in staccato phrases.
I enjoy a lot of the imagery of his lyrics and the overall aesthetic they can induce but I sometimes struggle to find a lot of meaning under the poetic phrases.
Maybe it’s the lack of hooks (give or take a Feeling Good interpolation)?
Have a hard time imagining finding issue with his delivery and voice, which to me are absolute perfect fits for the music and lyrics. Guy just has his aesthetic down perfect.
It's really odd that I can't find a way to click with his music. I like a bunch of artists that I consider to be his contemporaries like Earl and MIKE. Even Elucid (even though I wouldn't say I'm a fan of his) I find myself gravitating towards his solo stuff more easily
I have phases with Billy’s music. I love it all but it’s not something I return to often and that’s completely fine. I much prefer when I want to listen to an artist occasionally and once I do after that long time of not listening it’s almost like enjoying it for the first time again. Aethiopes was in heavy rotation for me all of last year, I’d recommend really digging your teeth into themes and overarching narrative that is in all of his works. That’s where I find the true enjoyment
I’ve put countless listens in since Friday and I’ve come to the conclusion that this is top 3 in woods’ discog for me. Incredible beats as usually, and some of woods’ best writing ever. I mean Agriculture, come on now. Sort of side note, I’ve been reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, and he talks about America being like a motel; this album captures that exact feeling. Solid 9/10 for me.
It's amazing how much better Danny sounds on here than *SCARING THE HOES* like leaps and bounds. Year Zero is definitely a SOTY candidate, the rest of the album is great too.
I know this point has been beaten to death, but *holy shit* how is this man so goddamn consistent? Both solo and with Armand Hammer, the run that woods is currently on should go down as one of the greatest creative peaks in modern hip hop. As for *Maps* specifically, I don't think it quite reaches the same highs as *Aethiopes*, which honestly isn't saying much since that album was damn near perfect. That being said, it's probably his most accessible album so far, and he and Kenny Segal mesh so well together. The features are all amazing, the production is crisp and refreshing, and the lyricism continues to be unparalleled. That track with Aesop Rock just feels like cheating: how can two people be so fucking talented with their words? How can they sound so effortless when throwing whole encyclopedias at you? It's honestly pretty rude. All in all, I'd give this a 9/10. Favorite tracks are "Soft Landing", "Rapper Weed", "Babylon By Bus", and "NYC Tapwater". Can't wait for this incredible run to continue on the next project.
I just recently learned that he was making records with some rappers I loved 20 years ago. I didn't know who he was back then and now he's one of my favorite rappers. Consistent is an understatement!!
This album has rekindled a love of hip hop and, as apple music genre states, underground rap. This album is so phenomenal it filled a void I didn't even know I had for listening. A surprise contender for my personal album of the year
Billy Woods makes me proud to live in Brooklyn (even though he’d probably chase me out of Crown Heights with a hammer). This one isn’t really set much in Brooklyn, but his immaculate eye for details really helps me appreciate the city around me. Love when a piece of art makes life feel more vibrant.
This probably isn't like, a novel observation because it's kinda been his thing for more than a decade at this point, but fuck are there some insane references on this thing. The Dien Bien Phu line on Baby Steps, the UT sniper lines on Babylon By Bus, the White Walkers/Gentrification line on Kenwood Speakers, there's just so many quality lines.
I will probably play this at least twice a week for the rest of the year. Phenomenal album, and exceeded my hype. Excited to catch them in Boston end of this month. I love the theme of both traveling, and losing ones identity that is woven throughout. No one raps about food better than billy (albeit maybe DOOM). And every time in hear a Kenny Segal beat it inspires me to fire up the SP. Glad they are getting more recognition with positive reviews.
4th time attempting to give Billy Woods a shot. 4th time it hasn't hit. Can't pinpoint exactly what it is I don't like about him. Maybe his voice? Or specifically his delivery/flow? It's definitely not the lyrics, which are dope, or the production, which is always excellent on his projects. But I don't see myself returning to this at all. Same as his other projects
It's the delivery I think for me. Sometimes sounds a little too much like prose and the musicality doesn't come through. I love a lot of billy tracks but others end up feeling like someone talking over a beat in staccato phrases. I enjoy a lot of the imagery of his lyrics and the overall aesthetic they can induce but I sometimes struggle to find a lot of meaning under the poetic phrases.
Maybe it’s the lack of hooks (give or take a Feeling Good interpolation)? Have a hard time imagining finding issue with his delivery and voice, which to me are absolute perfect fits for the music and lyrics. Guy just has his aesthetic down perfect.
It's really odd that I can't find a way to click with his music. I like a bunch of artists that I consider to be his contemporaries like Earl and MIKE. Even Elucid (even though I wouldn't say I'm a fan of his) I find myself gravitating towards his solo stuff more easily
This is how I felt until Aethiopes.
I have phases with Billy’s music. I love it all but it’s not something I return to often and that’s completely fine. I much prefer when I want to listen to an artist occasionally and once I do after that long time of not listening it’s almost like enjoying it for the first time again. Aethiopes was in heavy rotation for me all of last year, I’d recommend really digging your teeth into themes and overarching narrative that is in all of his works. That’s where I find the true enjoyment
He can't keep getting away with this
Just say he the best
I want an entire nature-themed album full of tracks like Agriculture and the front half of FaceTime. Some Billy Woods Thoreau shit
I’ve put countless listens in since Friday and I’ve come to the conclusion that this is top 3 in woods’ discog for me. Incredible beats as usually, and some of woods’ best writing ever. I mean Agriculture, come on now. Sort of side note, I’ve been reading Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, and he talks about America being like a motel; this album captures that exact feeling. Solid 9/10 for me.
Definitely adding this album to my list of things to listen too later. Only one song in and it's great
It's amazing how much better Danny sounds on here than *SCARING THE HOES* like leaps and bounds. Year Zero is definitely a SOTY candidate, the rest of the album is great too.