The All cover

The All

Smif-n-Wessun · 2019

43 min · 12 tracks · hip-hop

A reflective journey through personal narratives, lush soundscapes, and classic hip-hop beats infused with modern sensibilities.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Testify — This brief yet impactful track sets the tone for the album, featuring sharp lyricism that addresses personal accountability and social issues in a concise format.
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    Dreamland — With its ethereal production and introspective lyrics, this track captures the essence of aspiration and reflection, resonating deeply with listeners.
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    Let It Go — This song stands out for its emotional weight, blending catchy hooks with poignant verses about letting go of past burdens.
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    The A.L.L. — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of unity and resilience within the community, showcasing the duo's signature lyrical prowess.
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    We Good — This track features an uplifting message and infectious rhythm, exemplifying the duo's ability to create celebratory yet meaningful music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album balances classic hip-hop elements with modern themes, showcasing strong production and thoughtful lyrics.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a spoken-word intro that sets a reflective tone, followed by tracks that blend storytelling with rhythmic complexity.
  • Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, enhancing the interaction between the duo.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Dreamland

    The narrative shifts from dreams to harsh realities, illustrating a stark contrast between aspiration and life's challenges.

    This transition emphasizes the struggle between hope and disillusionment, revealing deeper layers of vulnerability amidst the dreamlike soundscape.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Intro (The Education of Smif-N-Wessun) 3:53
  • 2 Testify 1:28
  • 3 Dreamland 3:42
  • 4 Ocean Drive 4:54
  • 5 Let It Go 3:04
  • 6 Letter 4 U 4:36
  • 7 Let Me Tell Ya 4:10
  • 8 The A.L.L. 2:51
  • 9 We Good 4:48
  • 10 Stahfallah 2:52
  • 11 Illusions 3:38
  • 12 One Time 3:27

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata