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#005 aethiopes - billy woods| album review | show notes

Introduction (00:00:00): Hey, welcome to Relisten. This is episode four of Relisten, and I'll be reviewing "Ethiopes" by Billy Woods. It came out in 2022 with 13 songs, running for 39 minutes and 10 seconds. Let's get right into it.

Background (00:00:25): It's been a while since I reviewed anything, but coming back, I want to look at this album by Billy Woods. "Ethiopes" is an album that I listened to about three times before it clicked with me. Initially, it didn't connect, but I kept seeing recommendations for it. The album starts with "Asylum," and this was the first Billy Woods song I heard.

Song Reviews

Asylum (00:01:10): The album opens with "Asylum." Billy Woods' storytelling in this track is compelling. He describes his neighbor's house, which looks like a castle with an automatic gate. He's almost stalking his neighbor, watching his every move. The ending of the song cuts to a Nigerian movie, which I found very interesting. This transition into "No Hard Feelings" is very clean.

No Hard Feelings (00:03:34): The transition from "Asylum" to "No Hard Feelings" is smooth and adds to the album's cohesiveness. These two songs feel like one long track, which I appreciate. I wish there was a feature on Spotify where certain songs would always play in sequence.

Remorseless (00:05:52): "Remorseless" is another standout track. The entire album is an experience, and this song contributes to that. If you listen to the album in a specific order, it enhances the experience. I suggest starting from "Remorseless," then going to "Smith + Cross," "Asylum," and "No Hard Feelings."

Smith + Cross (00:06:37): This track is very spiritual and clean in its production. The transition from "Remorseless" to "Smith + Cross" is seamless. The samples used are well-placed, adding to the song's depth.

Album Experience (00:07:02): The album is well-produced and provides a unique listening experience. The transitions between songs are smooth, and the storytelling is immersive. The combination of beats, lyrics, and samples creates an album that is more than the sum of its parts.

Conclusion (00:09:24): I apologize for not going deep into the lyrics, but I just wanted to give my thoughts on the album. Initially, I would have given it a 2 out of 10 based on my first listen. However, after multiple listens, I appreciate the album's depth and production quality. If Kendrick Lamar dropped an album like this, it would be raking up Grammys. The songs are really good, and the album is a unique experience.

Rating (00:11:04): If I'm rating it now, I'll give it a solid 8 out of 10. It's a rare kind of album that not everyone will appreciate, but it's definitely worth your time. Even though it took me weeks to finish, it's only 39 minutes long.

Final Thoughts (00:11:19): If you agree or have thoughts on the album, let me know. If you're listening on Spotify, please subscribe to get the latest episodes. The same goes for Apple Music or any other podcast distributor. That's all for Relisten this episode.

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