At What Cost
GoldLink · 2017
48 min · 14 tracks · contemporary R&B
A vibrant blend of alternative hip-hop and R&B that weaves personal narratives with infectious grooves and electronic textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Crew — As the album's breakout hit, Crew encapsulates GoldLink's signature sound with its catchy hook and smooth flow while highlighting themes of friendship and loyalty.
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Meditation — This track exemplifies GoldLink's ability to blend soulful melodies with introspective lyrics, exploring themes of self-awareness and mental health over an infectious beat.
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Herside Story — With its unique narrative perspective, this track dives into the complexities of relationships, showcasing GoldLink's storytelling prowess through vivid imagery and emotional honesty.
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Pray Everyday (Survivor’s Guilt) — This closing track reflects on personal struggle and resilience, tying together the album's themes while delivering a poignant message about perseverance in the face of adversity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines personal narratives with innovative production, making it a notable entry in contemporary R&B.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken word piece that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that blend R&B melodies with hip-hop rhythms.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns, creating an interactive feel between the artist and listeners.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- infectious grooves for dancing
- personal narratives for connection
- vibrant energy for social settings
- short tracks for quick engagement
- reflective moments with upbeat flows
Maybe skip if you
- seeking lengthy, immersive pieces
- prefer straightforward, predictable structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time GoldLink released At What Cost in 2017, he had gained significant attention following his debut album, And After That, We Didn’t Talk. This project marked his artistic maturation, showcasing a deeper exploration of themes like identity and community while solidifying his presence in the contemporary music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Saba· Masego· Anderson .Paak
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Opening Credit 1:07
- 2 Same Clothes as Yesterday 3:20
- 3 Have You Seen That Girl? 2:42
- 4 Hands on Your Knees 1:55
- 5 Meditation 4:18
- 6 Herside Story 3:03
- 7 Summatime 3:46
- 8 Roll Call 3:20
Disc 2
- 1 The Parable of the Rich Man 4:19
- 2 Crew 2:56
- 3 We Will Never Die 4:02
- 4 Kokamoe Freestyle 3:43
- 5 Some Girl 5:42
- 6 Pray Everyday (Survivor’s Guilt) 3:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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