Top tracks — play these first
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New Balances Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Poke It Out — This track features an infectious beat and showcases Wale's playful lyricism while collaborating with J. Cole, creating a dynamic exchange between two prominent artists.
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Flawed — In 'Flawed', Wale delves into personal insecurities and societal pressures, making it a poignant reflection on self-acceptance amidst external expectations.
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Dearly Beloved — This short but impactful track captures Wale's emotional depth as he expresses love and loss, illustrating his vulnerability and connection to listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal storytelling with catchy hooks, maintaining a solid but not presence in hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered vocal harmonies, with Wale often alternating between rapping and melodic hooks.
- Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation alongside traditional hip-hop beats, adding depth to the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- steady flow with reflective moments
- vibrant energy for social settings
- introspective lyrics for deep thought
- consistent pacing for focused listening
- short tracks for quick engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek high-energy party anthems
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Reaffirms Wale's presence with introspective lyrics and mainstream appeal.
- Themes
- personal insecurities· East Coast storytelling· self-acceptance struggles
- Career context
- Folarin II marks Wale's sixth studio album and follows his 2019 release, Wow... That's Crazy. After a string of projects that fluctuated in commercial success, this album signifies Wale's return to his roots, blending personal storytelling with contemporary sounds.
Tracklist
- 1 New Balances Start here 3:09
- 2 Good Vibes (ZA) 2:52
- 3 Tiffany Nikes 2:12
- 4 Poke It Out 3:01
- 5 Fluctuate 3:53
- 6 Name Ring Bell 3:07
- 7 Down South 3:56
- 8 Caramel 3:20
- 9 Light Years 3:53
- 10 Extra Special 2:44
- 11 Angles 2:52
- 12 Dearly Beloved 1:49
- 13 More Love 3:13
- 14 Fire & Ice 2:36
- 15 Jump In 3:31
- 16 Beverly Blvd 3:50
- 17 Flawed 3:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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