State of the Art
Hilltop Hoods · 2009
61 min · 16 tracks · Australian hip-hop
Dynamic Australian hip-hop merges clever wordplay and infectious beats, reflecting personal and social themes with a distinctive local flavor.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
The Return — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its confident delivery and engaging lyrical content, reintroducing listeners to the group's evolution since their last release.
-
→
Still Standing — A poignant reflection on resilience and determination, this track showcases the duo's ability to blend personal narrative with broader societal themes, resonating deeply with fans.
-
→
The Nosebleed Section — This standout track blends catchy hooks with sharp lyrics, illustrating Hilltop Hoods' signature style while highlighting their unique perspective on fame and success.
-
→
Fifty in Five — With its fast-paced delivery and intricate wordplay, this track exemplifies the group's lyrical prowess and serves as a testament to their growth as artists.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends clever lyrics with dynamic beats, showcasing strong production and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature rapid-fire verses with layered vocal harmonies, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation alongside samples, creating a rich sonic texture that enhances the lyrical content.
- The album includes interludes that serve as transitions between songs, contributing to a cohesive narrative flow throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- climactic moments and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, State of the Art is Hilltop Hoods' fourth studio album, following their breakthrough record The Hard Road. At this stage in their career, the group had solidified their place in the Australian hip-hop scene, building on the commercial success and critical acclaim of their earlier work. This album marked a continuation of their innovative approach to storytelling within hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Funkoars· Bliss n Eso· Urthboy
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Return 3:57
- 2 Super Official 4:09
- 3 Chase That Feeling 3:29
- 4 She’s So Ugly 3:37
- 5 Still Standing 3:30
- 6 Classic Example 3:10
- 7 Chris Farley 3:38
- 8 The Light You Burned 4:18
- 9 Parade of the Dead 3:34
- 10 Last Confession 3:49
- 11 Hillatoppa 3:29
- 12 Fifty in Five 5:32
- 13 The Hard Road 4:06
- 14 Recapturing the Vibe 3:26
- 15 Breathe Restrung 3:51
- 16 The Nosebleed Section 3:39
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.