Top tracks — play these first
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Spiritual State — The opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its atmospheric soundscape and reflective mood, perfectly embodying Nujabes' philosophy on life and music.
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Rainyway Back Home — This track features a haunting piano melody paired with soft percussion that creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, hallmark emotions in Nujabes' work.
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Prayer — With its ethereal vocals and intricate instrumentation, this piece serves as a spiritual meditation that highlights Nujabes' ability to blend diverse musical elements into a cohesive sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate production and a cohesive sound that defines Nujabes' style while remaining accessible.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature vocal samples that are looped and manipulated, creating a textured soundscape that complements the instrumental elements.
- The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with only slight variations in rhythm and intensity across its fourteen tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- 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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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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- atmospheric background focus
- contemplative introspective moods
- gradual builds and payoffs
- serene, tranquil soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in December 2011, Spiritual State was Nujabes' posthumous album, following his tragic passing in 2010. This album encapsulates his signature sound, blending hip-hop with jazz influences, and represents a culmination of his artistic vision that had been developing since the late '90s.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Spiritual State 6:32
- 2 Sky Is Tumbling 4:29
- 3 Gone Are the Days 6:02
- 4 Spiral 3:41
- 5 City Lights 3:14
- 6 Color of Autumn 1:44
- 7 Dawn on the Side 5:15
- 8 Yes 7:51
- 9 Rainyway Back Home 2:36
- 10 Far Fowls 4:25
- 11 Fellows 2:04
- 12 Waiting for the Clouds 3:52
- 13 Prayer 3:29
- 14 Island 5:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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