What makes IV by BadBadNotGood notable?

IV received widespread acclaim, debuting at number 3 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and solidifying BadBadNotGood's place in contemporary music. The album's genre-blending style influenced a wave of artists across various genres, particularly within hip-hop and electronic music, contributing to a broader acceptance of jazz-infused sounds in popular culture. By the time IV was released in July 2016, BadBadNotGood had already established themselves as pioneers in the jazz and hip-hop fusion scene, following their critically acclaimed album III from 2014. This release marked their first project after collaborating with prominent artists like Ghostface Killah and their involvement in the underground music scene, showcasing their artistic evolution while retaining their unique sound.

IV works well if you're into introspective groove for reflection, steady flow with contemplative peaks and for late-night listening.

How many songs are on IV?

IV has 11 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

IV

BadBadNotGood · 2016

50 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A seamless blend of jazz improvisation and hip-hop rhythms, creating a rich sonic landscape that feels both modern and timeless.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Time Moves Slow — This track features haunting vocals from Sam Herring, creating an immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of longing and introspection, setting it apart as a standout moment on the album.
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Lavender — With its intricate instrumentation and hypnotic groove, Lavender exemplifies BadBadNotGood's ability to fuse jazz improvisation with contemporary influences, making it a defining track for the album.
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In Your Eyes — The closing track beautifully encapsulates the album's emotional arc, featuring lush harmonies and reflective melodies that leave a lasting impression on the listener.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong composition and craft, with seamless transitions and a cohesive flow throughout.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered instrumentation, with each track building on complex rhythms and harmonies.
Several tracks incorporate extended improvisational sections, allowing the musicians to explore themes in real-time.
The transitions between tracks are smooth, often blending one piece into another without a distinct break.
The final track features a gradual fade-out, leaving the listener with an unresolved feeling that invites further reflection.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

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

introspective groove for reflection
steady flow with contemplative peaks
for late-night listening
invites calm, focused attention

Maybe skip if you

seeks fast-paced instant gratification
prefers standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time IV was released in July 2016, BadBadNotGood had already established themselves as pioneers in the jazz and hip-hop fusion scene, following their critically acclaimed album III from 2014. This release marked their first project after collaborating with prominent artists like Ghostface Killah and their involvement in the underground music scene, showcasing their artistic evolution while retaining their unique sound.
Stylistic neighbors: GoGo Penguin· Snarky Puppy· Hiatus Kaiyote