III
Banks · 2019
47 min · 13 tracks · contemporary R&B
A blend of haunting melodies and electronic textures that explore themes of vulnerability and empowerment.
Top tracks — play these first
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Gimme — This track exemplifies Banks' signature blend of sultry vocals and electronic beats, showcasing a confident attitude towards desire and intimacy.
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Contaminated — With its dark lyrical themes and rich production, this song captures the internal conflict between love and self-preservation, standing out for its emotional depth.
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Look What You’re Doing to Me — Featuring a collaboration with the artist Smino, this track merges smooth R&B with catchy hooks, illustrating the complexities of romantic relationships.
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Propaganda — This song's stark production and biting lyrics critique societal expectations and media influence, making it a standout commentary within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong production and thematic depth but lacks a cohesive flow across its entirety.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build on electronic beats and layered vocals, while the second half shifts to more stripped-down arrangements.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of vulnerability and empowerment, with many songs featuring introspective verses that contrast with anthemic choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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6/10
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
- hauntingly beautiful introspective moments
- short tracks for quick engagement
- ethereal soundscapes for deep focus
- explorative themes of love and
- easily fits into reflective sessions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party vibes
- prefer straightforward, catchy anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on July 12, 2019, III is Banks' third studio album, following her critically acclaimed sophomore effort, The Altar, from 2016. At this point, she was solidifying her identity as an artist unafraid to delve into personal and societal themes through her music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- FKA twigs· SZA· AlunaGeorge
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Till Now 2:36
- 2 Gimme 3:39
- 3 Contaminated 4:41
- 4 Stroke 3:26
- 5 Godless 3:10
- 6 Sawzall 3:40
- 7 Look What You’re Doing to Me 4:00
- 8 Hawaiian Mazes 4:03
- 9 Alaska 3:07
- 10 Propaganda 4:05
- 11 The Fall 2:56
- 12 If We Were Made of Water 3:24
- 13 What About Love 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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