to be totally honest i do not like or appreciate it as an album, i think it's kind of bloated and the segues really fuck things. i think the production is also incredibly, incredibly dated in a way no other era of his really is, but i'n willing to look past that

that being said - some of the songs individually are great... clouds, breakdown, u know, gold standard comes to mind

'Breakdown' is the last great song that he wrote, and a way better song than anything he'd written for a long time. Wish he had produced it a little differently, but the song is so strong it still cuts through. Gets me every time I hear it, you can feel the pain in the vocal.

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'Art Official Age' is one of the worst and laziest songs he ever wrote. God what a turn-off to open an album with.

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I love Lianne Le Havas but not sure she fits here, she sounds a little embarassed, feels like she's just kind of being brave and going with Prince's suggestions.

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Other than that, I think it's the best of his later-period albums, one that I often come back to.

AOA while not a smashing success was the start of something new. It wasn't as predictable as the previous 10 years. He was making an effort to be a contemporary artist again.

The title track was interesting... Some "Get Loose!" vibes. I'd be curious to hear alternate versions. I haven't listened to it in years and don't really have any desire to. It sounds like a dance song, but it isn't really which is a shame. It ultimately falls flat.

Not particularly keen on "The Gold Standard" either. It's more cheesy than funky. "CrazyAmazing" is drunk uncle territory.

Quite like the rest of the album. Though admitedly, I feel the tracklist is more of a suggestion than something to be listened to front to back. I'll take songs and add them to playlists. I'm not listening to the whole thing. "Time" is a stone cold classic.

HitNRun 1&2 are much better IMO. Especially 2.

[Edited 6/6/26 13:02pm]

ShellyMcG said:

fishwillbite said: