What makes Heavn by Jamila Woods notable?

Heavn garnered critical acclaim upon release, praised for its exploration of Black womanhood and social justice themes. The album's impact was underscored by its inclusion in numerous year-end lists, establishing Woods as a vital artist within the modern soul movement. Released on July 15, 2016, Heavn is Jamila Woods' debut studio album following her critically acclaimed EP, Word Sound Power. At this point in her career, she was emerging as a significant voice in contemporary R&B and soul, building on her collaborations with artists like Chance the Rapper and Noname.

How many songs are on Heavn?

Heavn has 20 tracks, running approximately 4 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Heavn

Jamila Woods · 2016

4 min · 20 tracks · soul

A lush tapestry of soulful melodies interwoven with poignant lyrics addressing identity, resilience, and empowerment.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Vry Blk — This track powerfully asserts Black identity and pride through a blend of spoken word and melodic elements, encapsulating the album's core themes.
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Assata's Daughters — Named after the activist organization, this song connects historical struggles for justice with personal narratives, showcasing Woods' lyrical depth and commitment to activism.
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Heavn — The title track serves as an uplifting anthem that celebrates resilience amidst adversity, featuring rich harmonies that highlight Woods' vocal prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Heavn combines strong songwriting with polished production, creating a distinctive sound that addresses important themes.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, blending poetry with music to enhance thematic depth.
The sequencing includes interludes that create a narrative flow, allowing for moments of reflection between more energetic songs.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Bubbles
2 Vry Blk
3 Popsicle
4 Lonely
5 Heavn
6 Eve
7 In My Name
8 Assata's Daughters 0:24
9 Blk Girl Soldier 3:22
10 LSD
11 Still
12 Emerald Street
13 Lately
14 Always Loving 0:26
15 Breadcrumbs
16 Stellar
17 Good Morning
18 Holy
19 Way Up
20 Holy (Reprise)

What to play next

Listen next

Legacy! Legacy!

2019

Full Jamila Woods discography Artists like Jamila Woods

soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata