IV by BADBADNOTGOOD | Album Review
BADBADNOTGOOD’s 4th release highlights come off their best interplay between jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music.
Listen to IV by BADBADNOTGOOD on Apple Music and Spotify.
After discovering some of the fantastic works of Thundercat, my TikTok algorithm brought up a video with some suggestions from similar artists. The one that really caught my ear was BADBADNOTGOOD. Their unique blend of various jazz and hip-hop flavors made for an extremely pleasant listen. Their talents have allowed the group to play with the likes of Tyler the Creator, MF Doom, Ol’Dirty Bastard, Kanye West, and Ghostface Killah (with whom the band would co-release the project Sour Soul in 2015). When asked about their 2016 project IV, drum Alex Sowinski states:
When we started to look at it and see how different some of the songs would be between the most soulful groovy songs versus something that’s much more crazy with an up-tempo jazz improv vibe. It was looking kind of weird. We were like “I don’t know if it makes a lot of sense.” But I’ve grown to appreciate what it is now and how everything comes together. There is cohesiveness because it’s us playing, and it’s our instruments and our studio and all these flavors. I’m quite proud of it, but it’s taken a bit of time to develop it because it such a different-sounding album. It’s not your typical concept album where it’s a few themes that are regulated throughout. It’s just straight up very different between song to song.
** Love It/Add This To Your Playlist **
The band opens the album with a more electronic vibe on “And That, Too.” This spacey sound from the synths and soft bass melts into the dark and creamy sounds of saxophones, clarinets, and keys as the track continues forward. Its clashing melodic tones paint an ominous tone, like walking down a dangerous alleyway in the middle of the night. I really like the woodwinds walking the line of danger and beauty throughout the song. It’s a very interesting opening piece.
“Time Moves Slow” shares work with Baltimore rapper/musician Samuel T. Herring. I really like the bass and organ tones on this track. Alexander Sowinski’s drum work absolutely breathes life into this song. Herring’s vocal timbre gives the proper amount of grit to the track. This raw edge plays well into Samuel’s words on the feelings of isolation, “Cause when you’re so alone/ Time moves slow/ When you’re so alone/ Time moves slow/ When you’re so alone/ Time moves slow.”
“Confessions, Pt. II” features the fantastic saxophone work of fellow Candian Colin Stetson. Once the song begins, you are immediately hit with the thick sounds of the baritone saxophone. The band lays a fantastic velveteen backdrop to Steston’s wild and wonderful saxophone improvisations. The track is glamorous while still soaked in the proper amount of haze that a smoky jazz lounge would offer. Colin’s collaboration really takes the track to the next level for me. It’s a personal favorite.
“IV” is a fantastically dynamic more traditional jazz track. The bass and drums really give the feeling of speed as you are immediately swept into the rushing current of the track. This periodically slows and speeds up like that of a wild stream. The saxophone and key work really shine brilliantly on this track. I continue back on the analogy of a river through the varying melody that both instruments experiment with throughout the song. Its freeform nature really gives the song its beauty and continues to have me coming back to find something new with each listen.
“Hyssop of Love” features Chicago-based rapper Mick Jenkins to give some texture to the track. The band’s satin-like jazz backdrop adds a lot of depth to Jenkin’s rhymes. Mick uses the allusion to the herb hyssop to display his way of healing through love, “I heard your plug was dry and I think I got what you need/ I might be your guy/ No this ain’t no weed, different type of high.” I really enjoy the vivid imagery he employs throughout the track.
I especially love the little nod to Dragonball Z in the line, “Like they crippin’ much like Krillin how they disk could destruct.” Both artists' contributions give weight to society's plight of indifference and greed.
One of the more mellow tracks on this project is “Structure №3”. The upright bass and keys wash over you like radiant heat from an open flame. The synth textures by the track's midpoint add pulses of light to the soft glow this track takes on. I appreciate the more relaxed vibe this piece takes on compared to the rest of the tracks on this album.
“In Your Eyes” brings in fellow Canadian and R&B singer Charlotte Day Wilson to give the song very classic old-school soul vibes. This track has consistently been one of my favorites on the album. The addition of the synth strings coat everything in a gentle glimmer. Wilson’s words breathe temptation into the sultry sound the duo have crafted.
Her commanding sensuality pulls at you to go with her as she sings the lines, “And I got you enticed from the middle/ And I know you’re willin’ and able/ And I know you’ve got someone but I’m ready/ So just rid yourself of him and come get it.”
The final track on the album, “Cashmere,” continues the 60s/70s jazz vibes that “In Your Eyes” previously contributed. I love a jazz piano melody, and this track puts that in the forefront. This flutters over the soaring breeze of the synth strings. The little touches of trumpet and saxophone really make the track glow in a golden light. It rises to a peak by the latter half before cooling down to a gentle purr before the album ends. A very lively way to end the record.
** Like It/Worth A Listen **
“Speaking Gently” has this icy feeling coming from the synth work that opens up the song. Something about this overt use of the sound doesn’t quite do it for me. I appreciate the overall structure that the band gives the song. I think this is another that I would love to pair with some vocals or rapped verses to give it a little more punch. That said, I do like the sound of the track overall.
The track “Lavender” takes on a more electronic tone with the inclusion of Haitian-Canadian DJ, producer, and songwriter KAYTRANADA. Its blend of thick synth bass, jazz, and subtle hip-hop beats makes a rather unique sound.
Initially, this track really didn’t capture me at all. That has changed with additional listening. I think that KAYTRANADA’s production alongside BADBADNOTGOOD’s sound makes for something special. I do wish the song had vocals or rapped verses on it. I think that would really take it over the edge for me.
** Dislike It/Skip It **
“Chompy’s Paradise” comes off a little sea-sick sounding. The hum of the synths and wobble of the saxophone doesn’t really ever allow you to gain the right amount of footing. It’s like walking on a beach while drunk. This mellows out a bit when the other woodwinds come in to add a sense of clarity. I can kind of get the stoned vibe that the song is going for. It’s not my cup of tea, but I wouldn’t call this unlistenable or completely skippable.
This was the group's first project I had ever listened to, and I thoroughly enjoyed their blend of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and electronic sounds.
Each feature on this project brings something unique and welcoming to the track that they work on. I have to say I loved the Charlotte Day Wilson and Mick Jenkins features the most, as they really brought something fresh to each of their respective tracks.
My only critique is that some tracks felt a little weak without another artist working on them. I wasn't a fan of the wobbly nature of “Chompy’s Paradise,” and “Speaking Gently” felt like it would have stood stronger with some vocal performance over the instrumentation.
That said, I have to say this is a wonderfully executed album that displays the band's influences solidly. I think if you like jazz with an edge of hip-hop flavor, you’ll really like this record. My album breakdown:
Loved It: “And That, Too,” “Time Moves Slow” (feat. Samuel T. Herring), “Confessions, Pt. II” (feat. Colin Stetson), “IV,” “Hyysop of Love” (feat. Mick Jenkins), “Structure №3”, “In Your Eyes” (feat. Charlotte Day Wilson), and “Cashmere”
Liked It: “Speaking Gently” and “Lavender” (feat. KAYTRANADA)
Disliked It: “Chompy’s Paradise”
My overall rating: 8.0 out of 10.
