What makes Control System by Ab-Soul notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon release, with notable reviews from publications like Pitchfork and Complex praising its lyrical depth and production quality. It also peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, marking a significant milestone in Ab-Soul's burgeoning career. Control System is Ab-Soul's second studio album, following his debut long-player, Longterm Mentality, released in 2011. By this point, he had gained recognition within the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) collective, solidifying his presence in the West Coast hip-hop scene. The album showcases his growth as an artist and deepens his exploration of complex themes.

How many songs are on Control System?

Control System has 17 tracks, running approximately 71 minutes.

Control System

Ab-Soul · 2012

71 min · 17 tracks · West Coast hip-hop

A cerebral journey through existential quandaries wrapped in intricate wordplay and immersive West Coast beats.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bohemian Grove — This track stands out for its layered metaphors and social commentary, presenting a critique of society’s elite while showcasing Ab-Soul's intricate lyricism.
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Terrorist Threats — Featuring a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar and Danny Brown, this song exemplifies the album's thematic intensity while highlighting the synergy among TDE artists.
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The Book of Soul — This introspective track serves as a poignant reflection on mortality and personal loss, encapsulating Ab-Soul's vulnerability and depth as a storyteller.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyrical content and production but has some unevenness in flow and cohesion.

What we noticed

Many tracks utilize unconventional song structures, often shifting between multiple beats or tempos within a single song.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Soulo Ho3 3:57
2 Track Two 4:02
3 Bohemian Grove 4:23
4 Terrorist Threats 4:24
5 Pineal Gland 3:52
6 Double Standards 4:21
7 Mixed Emotions 4:07
8 Sopa 4:08
9 Lust Demons 3:40
10 Illuminate 5:06
11 A Rebellion 3:48
12 Showin’ Love 4:57
13 Empathy 3:01
14 Nothing’s Something 2:30
15 Beautiful Death 4:29
16 The Book of Soul 5:10
17 Black Lip Bastard (remix) 5:48

What to play next

Listen next

These Days…

2014

Go back to

Longterm Mentality

2011

Full Ab-Soul discography Artists like Ab-Soul

West Coast hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata