Dirty Gold
Angel Haze · 2013
55 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop
A raw blend of confessional lyrics and experimental beats that challenge conventional hip-hop boundaries while reflecting personal struggles.
Top tracks — play these first
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Echelon (It's My Way) — This track exemplifies Haze's defiance against societal norms and expectations, combining an infectious beat with empowering lyrics that resonate widely.
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Battle Cry — In this standout cut, Haze confronts her inner demons and past traumas, delivering a cathartic performance over a haunting instrumental backdrop.
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Black Dahlia — This track delves into themes of vulnerability and identity, merging personal storytelling with layered production that captivates the listener.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends raw emotion with experimental sounds, creating a unique but uneven listening experience.
What we noticed
- Many tracks employ unconventional song structures, often eschewing traditional verses and choruses in favor of freeform expression.
- Angel Haze's vocal delivery varies significantly from track to track, ranging from rapid-fire rapping to melodic singing, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- visceral urgency in every verse
- raw introspection for deep reflection
- pulsating beats that energize thoughts
- cathartic release through lyrical honesty
Maybe skip if you
- prefer polished mainstream production
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Dirty Gold was released in December 2013, Angel Haze was positioned as a rising star in the alternative hip-hop scene, following the critical success of her debut mixtape, Classick. This album marked her first full-length studio effort, showcasing her unique style and artistic vision just as she began to gain mainstream recognition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- K.Flay· Mitski· Death Grips
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sing About Me 3:35
- 2 Echelon (It's My Way) 3:34
- 3 A Tribe Called Red 4:37
- 4 Deep Sea Diver 4:48
- 5 Black Synagogue 6:49
- 6 Angel & Airwaves 4:21
- 7 April's Fool 3:20
- 8 White Lillies / White Lies 5:18
- 9 Battle Cry 4:52
- 10 Black Dahlia 5:29
- 11 Planes Fly 4:27
- 12 Dirty Gold 4:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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