Released 59 years ago this October
A Whole New Thing
Sly and the Family Stone · 1967
43 min · 13 tracks · funk
A vibrant blend of funk grooves and psychedelic soul that captures the spirit of 1960s counterculture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Underdog — This track exemplifies the band's socially conscious lyrics and energetic rhythms, setting the tone for their artistic vision. Its call for unity resonates with the themes of empowerment present throughout the album.
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Run, Run, Run — The infectious groove and upbeat tempo showcase the band's ability to blend rock and soul seamlessly, making it a key highlight that represents their unique sound.
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I Hate to Love Her — This song captures emotional complexity through its lyrical narrative and intricate harmonies, illustrating the band's depth beyond danceable tracks.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases early funk experimentation but lacks the polish of later works, impacting its cohesion and durability.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a punchy horn section on 'Underdog', establishing a vibrant funk groove that persists throughout.
- Tracks often feature layered vocal harmonies, with multiple singers contributing to the lead lines, creating a rich texture.
- Several songs incorporate abrupt tempo changes and shifts in dynamics, such as the transition from the upbeat 'Turn Me Loose' to the more reflective 'I Cannot Make It'.
- The final track, 'What Would I Do', ends with a fade-out that leaves the listener hanging, contrasting with the more definitive endings of earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- mid-tempo reflective moments
- vibrant and uplifting vibes
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in October 1967, A Whole New Thing was Sly and the Family Stone's debut album, marking their entry into the music scene. At this time, the band was still developing its distinctive sound, which would soon redefine funk and soul music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Parliament· Funkadelic· Earth, Wind & Fire
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Underdog 3:59
- 2 If This Room Could Talk 3:13
- 3 Run, Run, Run 3:06
- 4 Turn Me Loose 1:56
- 5 Let Me Hear It From You 3:35
- 6 Advice 2:23
- 7 I Cannot Make It 3:20
- 8 Trip to Your Heart 3:43
- 9 I Hate to Love Her 3:32
- 10 Bad Risk 3:05
- 11 That Kind of Person 4:28
- 12 Dog 3:03
- 13 What Would I Do 4:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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