Is Mixed Race a good place to start with Tricky?

Yes, Mixed Race is recommended as a starting point for new Tricky listeners. A gritty blend of trip hop and experimental sounds, reflecting on identity and culture through a fragmented lens. By the release of Mixed Race in 2010, Tricky was already an established figure in the music scene, known for pioneering trip hop since the early 1990s. This album followed his previous work, Knowle West Boy from 2008, marking a return to his roots while continuing to explore themes of race and identity. It showcased a matured sound that intertwined personal experiences with broader cultural commentary.

Who is Mixed Race for?

Mixed Race works well if you're into short, punchy listening sessions, dynamic emotional journeys and hypnotic background focus.

How many songs are on Mixed Race?

Mixed Race has 10 tracks, running approximately 29 minutes.

Mixed Race

Tricky · 2010

29 min · 10 tracks · electronic music

A gritty blend of trip hop and experimental sounds, reflecting on identity and culture through a fragmented lens.

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Top tracks — play these first

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UK Jamaican — This track serves as a powerful commentary on cultural identity, blending reggae influences with Tricky's signature dark beats, making it emblematic of the album's themes.
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Ghetto Stars — A standout for its haunting vocals and poignant lyrics that reflect on aspiration and struggle, encapsulating the album’s raw emotional core.
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Every Day Start here — Opening the album with a sense of urgency, this track highlights Tricky's unique vocal style against an experimental backdrop, setting the tone for the entire project.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album blends various influences with a unique sound, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'UK Jamaican' and 'Ghetto Stars' incorporate samples and varied rhythms, reflecting Tricky's eclectic influences.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short, punchy listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
hypnotic background focus
fragmented, layered soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Explores identity and culture with innovative production, noted for its artistic ambition.
Career context: By the release of Mixed Race in 2010, Tricky was already an established figure in the music scene, known for pioneering trip hop since the early 1990s. This album followed his previous work, Knowle West Boy from 2008, marking a return to his roots while continuing to explore themes of race and identity. It showcased a matured sound that intertwined personal experiences with broader cultural commentary.
Stylistic neighbors: Massive Attack· Portishead· DJ Shadow