What makes Shrines by Armand Hammer notable?

Shrines received widespread acclaim from critics, with notable praise from publications like Pitchfork and The Quietus for its bold experimentation and depth. The album resonated within the hip-hop community, contributing to discussions around political consciousness in music during a tumultuous social climate. By the time Shrines was released in June 2020, Armand Hammer, consisting of billy woods and ELUCID, had already established themselves as a formidable force in underground hip-hop. This album followed their critically acclaimed 2018 project, Paraffin, further solidifying their artistic identity while showcasing their growth in both production and lyrical complexity.

How many songs are on Shrines?

Shrines has 14 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Shrines

Armand Hammer · 2020

43 min · 14 tracks · hip-hop

A dense tapestry of experimental beats and incisive lyricism that challenges conventions and explores personal and political themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Bitter Cassava — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting production and introspective lyrics that delve into themes of identity and survival.
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Leopards — This track features a compelling narrative that intertwines personal experience with broader societal commentary, exemplifying the duo's lyrical prowess.
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War Stories — With its stark imagery and candid reflections, this track encapsulates the emotional weight of the album while addressing historical and contemporary struggles.
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King Tubby — Named after the influential reggae producer, this track showcases a blend of musical homage and sharp critiques, highlighting the duo's dexterity in fusing genres.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's experimental approach and complex lyricism create a unique listening experience that rewards repeated plays.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that features layered vocal samples and a slow, heavy beat, setting a dense atmosphere.
Each track typically features multiple shifts in tempo and rhythm, often layering complex beats beneath the lyrics.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, eschewing traditional verse-chorus formats for more fluid arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Bitter Cassava 2:56
2 Solarium 1:32
3 Charms 2:37
4 Pommelhorse 3:33
5 Leopards 3:02
6 King Tubby 3:25
7 Frida 4:11
8 Slewfoot 3:19
9 War Stories 3:06
10 Flavor Flav 2:45
11 Dead Cars 3:32
12 Parables 3:18
13 Ramses II 4:11
14 The Eucharist 1:46

What to play next

Listen next

Paraffin (instrumentals)

2020

Go back to

Paraffin

2018

Full Armand Hammer discography Artists like Armand Hammer

hip-hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata