Float
Aesop Rock · 2000
70 min · 20 tracks · abstract hip-hop
Aesop Rock's intricate wordplay flows over eclectic beats, creating a surreal soundscape that challenges conventional hip-hop narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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Commencement at the Obedience Academy Start here — This track exemplifies Aesop's knack for weaving vivid imagery and introspective themes into dense lyrical structures, setting the tone for the album's exploration of identity and existentialism.
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Big Bang — With its layered metaphors and complex rhymes, this track showcases Aesop Rock's exceptional ability to blend cerebral concepts with engaging storytelling, making it a standout piece.
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Garbage — This track features a self-reflective narrative that critiques both personal and societal wastefulness, highlighting Aesop’s sharp commentary amidst intricate soundscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Float showcases intricate lyricism and eclectic production, establishing Aesop Rock's unique style in abstract hip-hop.
What we noticed
- Aesop Rock's vocal delivery is characterized by rapid-fire verses that often include multi-syllabic rhymes and abstract imagery.
- Several tracks transition seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow that enhances the surreal atmosphere of the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- 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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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- wave-like pacing with interludes
- dynamic journey through intricacies
- lyrical depth for attentive listeners
- short tracks encourage replayability
- abstract beats for focused exploration
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, catchy formats
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Established Aesop Rock's reputation with boundary-pushing lyricism and complex production.
- Themes
- surreal identity exploration· societal waste critique· dense lyrical imagery
- Career context
- Released on September 5, 2000, 'Float' was Aesop Rock’s second studio album, following his debut 'Music for Earthworms'. At this point in his career, he was starting to carve out a niche in the underground hip-hop scene, building on the momentum from his earlier work while collaborating with producers like Blockhead.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Oxygen
The bridge shifts tone dramatically as it questions the very nature of existence and self-worth amidst an overwhelming world.
Tracklist
- 1 Float 1:56
- 2 Commencement at the Obedience Academy Start here 3:47
- 3 Big Bang 5:02
- 4 Garbage 4:04
- 5 I’ll Be OK 3:02
- 6 Breakfast With Blockhead 0:38
- 7 Basic Cable 4:13
- 8 Fascination 3:49
- 9 Oxygen 5:20
- 10 Skip Town 4:24
- 11 6B Panorama 2:05
- 12 Lunch With Blockhead 0:23
- 13 Spare a Match 4:56
- 14 Attention Span 3:54
- 15 How to Be a Carpenter 4:47
- 16 Prosperity 3:59
- 17 No Splash 4:04
- 18 Drawbridge 4:49
- 19 Dinner With Blockhead 0:49
- 20 The Mayor and the Crook 4:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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