Choose Your Weapon
Hiatus Kaiyote · 2015
69 min · 18 tracks · neo soul
A vibrant tapestry of neo-soul, jazz, and electronic elements woven together by lush instrumentation and soulful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Breathing Underwater — This track showcases the band's ability to merge intricate rhythms with emotionally charged lyrics, exemplifying the lush sound that defines the album.
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Shaolin Monk Motherfunk — The fusion of funk and soul in this track highlights the group's dynamic musicality, featuring infectious grooves that invite listeners to move.
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Molasses — A standout moment on the album, this song combines rich vocal harmonies with a complex arrangement, illustrating Hiatus Kaiyote's artistry and depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases innovative compositions and strong production, making it a standout in contemporary neo-soul.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as extended instrumental sections and shifts in tempo.
- Vocals are prominently featured, with the lead singer frequently employing a wide vocal range and dynamic delivery across various tracks.
- 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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8/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- lush soundscapes for deep listening
- playful grooves for social settings
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
- short interludes that surprise
- cathartic moments of release
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- strictly single-track listeners
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2015, Choose Your Weapon is Hiatus Kaiyote's sophomore album, following their critically acclaimed debut, Tawk Tomahawk. The band had gained significant attention for their unique sound and was poised to expand their influence in the neo-soul genre with this follow-up.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Erykah Badu· Anderson .Paak· Thundercat
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Breathing Underwater
In a pivotal section, the writing shifts from introspective musings to a powerful declaration of resilience amid challenges.
This transition serves as an emotional anchor for the song, turning personal reflection into a broader statement of empowerment.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Choose Your Weapon 1:34
- 2 Shaolin Monk Motherfunk 5:51
- 3 Laputa 2:26
- 4 Creations Part One 0:49
- 5 Borderline With My Atoms 6:02
- 6 Breathing Underwater 5:44
- 7 Cicada 0:38
- 8 Swamp Thing 5:00
- 9 Fingerprints 4:17
- 10 Jekyll 5:33
- 11 Prince Minikid 2:50
- 12 Atari 6:09
- 13 By Fire 5:04
- 14 Creations Part Two 1:01
- 15 The Lung 4:54
- 16 Only Time All the Time / Making Friends With Studio Owl 1:03
- 17 Molasses 4:49
- 18 Building a Ladder 5:42
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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