Top tracks — play these first
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Feather — This track exemplifies Nujabes' signature style with its airy samples and laid-back rhythm, creating a sense of weightlessness that permeates the album.
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Luv (sic.), Part 3 — Featuring heartfelt lyrics from Shing02, this track captures the essence of connection and longing amid a backdrop of lush instrumentation.
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Reflection Eternal — With its contemplative beat and reflective mood, this track showcases the emotional depth present throughout Modal Soul, inviting listeners to introspect.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Modal Soul showcases a unique fusion of jazz and hip-hop, marked by its smooth production and introspective vibe.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of jazzy samples layered over laid-back hip-hop beats, creating a smooth and cohesive sound throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate vocal elements that are sparse and ethereal, often blending seamlessly with the instrumental backdrop.
- The running time is approximately 50 minutes, with most tracks averaging around three to four minutes, allowing for a relaxed listening pace.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- introspective and tranquil vibes
- gradual builds and payoffs
- wave-like pacing throughout
- serene background for focus
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Nujabes released Modal Soul in 2005, he was already an influential figure in the underground hip-hop scene, known for his innovative fusion of jazz and hip-hop. This album followed his critically acclaimed debut, Metaphorical Music, and solidified his status as a pioneering producer within the genre, shaping the sound of future artists.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Feather 2:55
- 2 Ordinary Joe 5:08
- 3 Reflection Eternal 4:17
- 4 Luv (sic.), Part 3 5:36
- 5 Music Is Mine 4:20
- 6 Eclipse 3:34
- 7 The Sign 4:49
- 8 Thank You 4:09
- 9 World’s End Rhapsody 5:41
- 10 Modal Soul 4:41
- 11 Flowers 3:59
- 12 Sea of Cloud 3:01
- 13 Light on the Land 3:55
- 14 Horizon 7:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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