Smiling with No Teeth
Genesis Owusu · 2021
53 min · 15 tracks
A genre-blending exploration of identity, oscillating between energetic beats and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Other Black Dog — This track captures the struggle of mental health through dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, showcasing Owusu’s lyrical depth and vocal versatility.
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Smiling With No Teeth — Serving as the album's title track, it encapsulates the central themes of duality and resilience while blending hip-hop with art rock influences.
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I Don’t See Colour — This song addresses racial identity with a candid perspective, marked by an infectious chorus that juxtaposes heavy themes with a vibrant sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's genre-blending and lyrical exploration create a compelling yet uneven experience.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements alongside sung verses, blurring the lines between rap and traditional song structures.
- The use of contrasting musical styles within individual tracks, such as blending funk with hip-hop and rock influences, showcases a diverse sonic palette.
- 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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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
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
- vibrant eclectic production surprises
- short bursts of energetic variety
- poignant reflections on identity
- playful yet introspective lyrics
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward single tracks
- seek consistent pacing throughout
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on March 5, 2021, Smiling with No Teeth is Genesis Owusu's debut album, following a series of acclaimed singles that showcased his unique sound. At this point in his career, he was transitioning from an emerging artist to a significant voice in the Australian music scene, drawing attention for his innovative style and compelling storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Thundercat· Anderson .Paak· JID
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Don’t See Colour
The bridge introduces a stark shift where Owusu reflects on societal perceptions, using vivid imagery to confront issues of race directly.
This moment stands out as it breaks from the previous rhythmic flow, creating a powerful contrast that emphasizes the urgency of the message.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 On the Move! 1:47
- 2 The Other Black Dog 4:23
- 3 Centrefold 3:16
- 4 Waitin’ on Ya 5:44
- 5 Don’t Need You 3:05
- 6 Drown 2:57
- 7 Gold Chains 3:38
- 8 Smiling With No Teeth 4:59
- 9 I Don’t See Colour 2:56
- 10 Black Dogs! 2:00
- 11 Whip Cracker 4:41
- 12 Easy 3:02
- 13 A Song About Fishing 3:25
- 14 No Looking Back 3:42
- 15 Bye Bye 4:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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