What about Ada was weaker than this for you?

Also, I personally don’t mind that he “played it safe.” No onus on him to do some experimental/off-kilter s*** (tho he already did on Ada, with Simultaneously Bleeding, for example). I think he’s still early in his discog, i.e. he has to establish his own sound first, which I think he did great on here.

I understand where you’re coming from though, because for 18 tracks, would’ve been nice to have something more left-field. Still, I was happy to hear some variety in the production. I disagree about its cohesion/sequencing a well, the whole project was extremely focused thematically and sonically imo.

That is all to say that I don’t take anything away from this album for not talking too many risks.

WOW totally paint on canvas and nothing more- he did an incredible job

Yeah this is f***ed up good

So I'll preface this by saying that it is very possible I just have unnaturally high expectations for Navy. I absolutely adored his soundcloud EP's, Soul Golden, his features (SRS, WIP, Own Pace) and his production for Mach.

All that in mind, as well as Higher Self which again floored me, I definitely came into Ada Irin with a ton of personal expectations. My critiques aren't too fresh in my mind tbh, I haven't revisited the project all that much, I just know that every time I do I'm never all that hooked. Its a good album certainly, but for whatever reason something stops me from holding it in the same esteem as I do his earlier work, be that the production or his writing, or that Ka hops in and renegades the whole thing.

Regarding this one, it's certainly a great album, better than most underground rappers will ever make. Also, I agree totally that there's no onus on him to take risks or cater to a particular sound. But, to me that separates the masterpieces from the great albums. Because its usually in those moments of taking risks that you get the listeners jaw to drop. Most recent example being BRASS - the beat switch in Portrait, the lurching beat of Maroons, the moment those orchestral strings sweep in midway through Scary Hours. I didn't get that kind of reaction listening to this. It's 18 beautiful loops of heartfelt, sombre, very human lyrics. But it's just that to me at that end of the day - there isn't really a moment which leaves me awed in the way the very best albums do.

On the cohesion/sequencing I felt like Post Panic! coming after Tired was a little awkward. Just was a much brighter instrumental after such a heavy song. Didn't sit right with me so early in the tracklist. And 224 is obviously the natural ending point with its hopeful lyrics but to me it almost didn't feel earned or significant in a way. That said, I've only listened through once, so take those critiques especially with a pinch of salt.

It's entirely possible I'm being too harsh. I still consider him the second best out of the scene behind MIKE. And it's easy to forget this is only his second full length whereas MIKE could retire tomorrow with a full discography.

I wonder what the last minute change was that he made

Ziyech in that same line too. And a Vardy bar on Post Panic!

can't wait to finally give this a listen today

listening to this Ade hakim album

this is bad

I dont know s*** about mixing and mastering, but holy f*** it sounds so so so flat

First track was aight but I didn't last much longer than that

@DwindlingSun def give Ada Irin some more listens used to only love some tracks and didn’t care for others, but it was a pretty big grower for me. At this point like every track and love most

And yo happy xmas to the entire fam long live this thread

Yes I caught those after as well

I highly encourage you return to Ada man, especially after having heard this new project. As someone who loves that album, it’s not hard to concede it’s way less consistent sonically (with tracks like Hari Kari and 22 standing out), but I think that kind of adds to its charm in that it reminds me of some of his SoundCloud projects in its looseness (which I also love, especially “from the heart” and “gangway for navy”). Plus the remaining tracks are basically just as good as anything on here imo

And that’s fair about this project—I suppose it doesn’t share those “masterpiece” qualities as other albums, and tbh I think it could’ve done with one or two beat switches, but that’s simultaneously why I love it: the songs are so cementing of Navy’s sound and musical identity, plus the beats are all just gorgeous, so I don’t mind hearing a beat play out as the track ends.

Sequencing seemed fine to me, and I think he used skits/interpolations tastefully. No overkill like Gunn lol.

Yeah Navy and MIKE are easily my favorites in this scene (I really wish Mavi were more productive honestly, because I think he could be up there with both of them.)

Obviously this is all preference, as we know, so we enjoy what we enjoy. In any case I’m so glad we got this album

Oop 😳 how bad r we talkin here

glad to have a real one as op

i enjoyed the ade album tbh but its very bloated, but i feel like every ade album is bloated

me and masterholy dropping 6 track ep early next year also

congrats fam, great news and I liked that track you shared a lot. Looking forward to it!

Lmao yo what was that last minute fix Navy had to make? Hope it wasn't 224!