New Amerykah Part Two
Erykah Badu · 2010
50 min · 11 tracks · soul
A richly layered tapestry of neo-soul, blending introspective lyrics with eclectic rhythms and lush instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
20 Feet Tall Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Window Seat — This track stands out for its poignant commentary on personal freedom and social issues, featuring a hypnotic beat that enhances its reflective lyrics.
-
→
Turn Me Away (Get Munny) — The song combines a catchy hook with sharp social critique on materialism and relationships, showcasing Badu's ability to fuse entertainment with thought-provoking content.
-
→
Gone Baby, Don't Be Long — Here, Badu employs a soulful melody to express longing and vulnerability, encapsulating the emotional depth that characterizes much of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases innovative structures and rich production, making it a standout in neo-soul.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, atmospheric build that introduces layered vocals and instrumentation, setting a reflective tone.
- Several tracks feature unconventional song structures, such as 'Turn Me Away (Get Munny)', which shifts between different sections without traditional verse-chorus patterns.
- The album frequently employs spoken word interludes that create a conversational flow between songs, enhancing the thematic continuity.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
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
- introspective reflection on life
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- soulful melodies for deep listening
- background warmth for relaxed moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
- seek quick, instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Acclaimed for its innovation, it's seen as a high point in her artistic evolution.
- Career context
- By the time Erykah Badu released New Amerykah Part Two in 2010, she was already an established figure in the neo-soul genre, following her impactful debut, Baduizm, in 1997 and its critically acclaimed follow-up, Mama's Gun, in 2008. This album marked her return after a five-year hiatus and shifted toward a more mature exploration of themes like love, loss, and identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jill Scott· Lauryn Hill· Anderson .Paak
Tracklist
- 1 20 Feet Tall Start here 3:24
- 2 Window Seat 4:49
- 3 Agitation 1:33
- 4 Turn Me Away (Get Munny) 5:26
- 5 Gone Baby, Don't Be Long 4:39
- 6 Umm Hmm 3:46
- 7 Love 6:01
- 8 You Loving Me (Session) 1:04
- 9 Fall in Love (Your Funeral) 6:06
- 10 Incense 3:28
- 11 Out My Mind, Just in Time 10:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.