Nothing New
Gil Scott-Heron · 2014
32 min · 14 tracks · jazz
A reflective blend of jazz-infused spoken word, layered with soulful melodies and poignant social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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Did You Hear What They Said — This track exemplifies Scott-Heron's signature style, blending rhythmic spoken word with a laid-back jazz backdrop while addressing contemporary issues.
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Your Daddy Loves You — A poignant exploration of familial relationships, this track combines heartfelt storytelling with introspective lyrics that resonate deeply within the album's themes.
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Alien (Hold On to Your Dreams) — This song stands out for its hopeful message amidst adversity, encapsulating the essence of perseverance that runs throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends spoken word and jazz, showcasing Scott-Heron's mature reflections but lacks strong cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include interludes that serve as transitions, creating a reflective pause between the more substantial pieces.
- The instrumentation is predominantly jazz-oriented, with a focus on piano and subtle rhythms that complement the lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- thought-provoking reflections on life
- short interludes enhancing themes
- wave-like pacing for contemplation
- smooth transitions between tracks
- suitable for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, Nothing New marks Gil Scott-Heron's final album before his passing, showcasing a matured perspective on life and society. It followed his previous work, I'm New Here (2010), which was a significant comeback after years of personal struggles. This album encapsulates his enduring legacy as a voice for social justice and the human condition.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amiri Baraka· The Last Poets· Abbey Lincoln
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Did You Hear What They Said 4:02
- 2 Better Days Ahead 4:40
- 3 Household Name (interlude) 0:12
- 4 Your Daddy Loves You 4:06
- 5 Changing Yourself (interlude) 0:10
- 6 Pieces of a Man 4:36
- 7 Enjoying Yourself (outro) 0:13
- 8 Alien (Hold On to Your Dreams) 3:01
- 9 Before I Hit the Bottom (interlude) 0:21
- 10 95 South (All of the Places We’ve Been) 3:12
- 11 The Other Side 3:04
- 12 The On/Off Switch (interlude) 0:26
- 13 Blue Collar 3:54
- 14 On Bobby Blue Bland (outro) 0:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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