What makes III by BadBadNotGood notable?

The album received widespread critical acclaim, highlighted by a spot on numerous year-end lists, and showcased their ability to blend genres, influencing artists within both jazz and hip-hop. Its experimental approach helped garner attention from mainstream media, further bridging the gap between these musical worlds. By the time 'III' was released in 2014, BadBadNotGood had established themselves as a prominent act in the jazz and hip-hop scenes following their breakthrough album 'BBNG' in 2011. This third studio album marked their evolution into a more polished sound while collaborating with artists like Ghostface Killah, solidifying their reputation as innovative musicians.

III works well if you're into dynamic journey with emotional peaks, intimate moments for focused listening and explorative soundscapes for discovery.

How many songs are on III?

III has 9 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

III

BadBadNotGood · 2014

48 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and experimental sounds that flows seamlessly between improvisation and structured composition.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Can’t Leave the Night — This track exemplifies the group's unique blend of jazz improvisation and hip-hop grooves, featuring intricate piano lines paired with a captivating rhythm section.
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Confessions — With its haunting melodies and complex structures, this track highlights the band's skillful interplay and emotional depth, marking a standout moment on the album.
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Kaleidoscope — This piece showcases their adventurous spirit through shifting tempos and rich textures, embodying the exploratory essence of the entire album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositional skills and seamless transitions, marking a notable evolution in their sound.

What we noticed

Each track often transitions smoothly into the next, creating a continuous flow that emphasizes improvisation.
Several pieces incorporate layered instrumentation, with saxophone and keyboard solos weaving in and out of the rhythmic foundation.

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

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with emotional peaks
intimate moments for focused listening
explorative soundscapes for discovery
wave-like pacing that evolves
for late-night introspection

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification tracks
prefer standalone hits over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'III' was released in 2014, BadBadNotGood had established themselves as a prominent act in the jazz and hip-hop scenes following their breakthrough album 'BBNG' in 2011. This third studio album marked their evolution into a more polished sound while collaborating with artists like Ghostface Killah, solidifying their reputation as innovative musicians.
Stylistic neighbors: GoGo Penguin· Snarky Puppy· Hiatus Kaiyote