What makes Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange notable?

This album received critical acclaim for its production quality and lyrical depth, earning The Foreign Exchange a Grammy nomination for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track 'Daykeeper'. Its innovative fusion of genres helped influence a wave of artists in the alternative R&B scene, positioning them as pioneers of the sound during the late 2000s. Leave It All Behind is The Foreign Exchange's second studio album, following their debut Connected in 2004. By this time, the duo had established a distinct sound that fused underground hip-hop with soulful R&B influences. This album further solidified their artistic identity and expanded their audience, showcasing their growth as both musicians and producers.

How many songs are on Leave It All Behind?

Leave It All Behind has 21 tracks, running approximately 85 minutes.

Released 18 years ago this October

Leave It All Behind

The Foreign Exchange · 2008

85 min · 21 tracks · underground hip-hop

A smooth blend of R&B and hip-hop, layered with rich melodies and reflective lyricism that invites introspection.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Daykeeper — This opening track sets a contemplative tone with its lush instrumentation and profound lyrics about navigating life's uncertainties. It encapsulates the album's emotional core while featuring standout vocal performances.
→
If She Breaks Your Heart — This track showcases a seamless blend of hip-hop rhythms and soulful melodies, creating an engaging narrative about love and heartache. Its relatable themes resonate deeply, making it a fan favorite.
→
Leave It All Behind — The title track serves as a poignant reflection on moving forward from past experiences. Its introspective lyrics coupled with an inviting melody create a powerful conclusion to the album's journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong production and songwriting but has some repetitive elements in its tracklist.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of smooth, laid-back grooves that blend R&B instrumentation with hip-hop rhythms.
Each track typically employs layered vocal harmonies, often featuring call-and-response patterns between the lead and backing vocals.
Several songs incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for moments of reflection and atmosphere before returning to lyrical content.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.