Released 30 years ago
Nearly God
Tricky · 1996
60 min · 12 tracks · electronic music
Experimental sonics intertwine with haunting melodies, creating a disorienting yet captivating exploration of identity and emotion.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tattoo Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a moody tone with its layered samples and introspective lyrics, encapsulating the experimental essence of the record.
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Keep Your Mouth Shut — This track features a striking collaboration that blends spoken word with atmospheric beats, showcasing Tricky's unique ability to merge genres.
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I Be the Prophet — A standout for its dark, brooding production and provocative themes, this song exemplifies Tricky's lyrical depth and sonic innovation.
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Children's Story — With its haunting narrative and experimental soundscape, this track highlights Tricky's skill in storytelling through music, pushing boundaries within the genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nearly God showcases innovative compositions and production techniques, solidifying Tricky's unique sound in the trip-hop genre.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, with abrupt transitions and varying tempos that challenge traditional forms.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
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
- steady pacing for deep focus
- introspective listening during solitude
- haunting soundscapes for reflection
- consistent journey with emotional peaks
- atmospheric depth for headphone use
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party anthems
- prefer standalone singles format
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Features a significant evolution in sound and eclectic collaborations, diverging from earlier work.
- Career context
- Released in 1996, Nearly God is Tricky's follow-up to his groundbreaking debut Maxinquaye. This album marks a significant evolution in his sound, featuring collaborations that highlight his artistic experimentation while he navigated burgeoning fame in the trip-hop genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Massive Attack· Portishead· DJ Shadow
Tracklist
- 1 Tattoo Start here 5:30
- 2 Poems 6:54
- 3 Together Now 3:09
- 4 Keep Your Mouth Shut 6:01
- 5 I Be the Prophet 4:55
- 6 Make a Change 6:00
- 7 Black Coffee 4:50
- 8 Bubbles 3:25
- 9 I Sing for You 6:21
- 10 Yoga 4:32
- 11 Judas 4:22
- 12 Children's Story 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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