The Art of Defense
Nona Hendryx · 1984
34 min · 7 tracks · funk
A bold fusion of funk, rock, and experimental sounds that challenges societal norms and personal struggles.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Sweat (Going Through the Motions) — This track encapsulates the album's core theme by merging infectious grooves with lyrics about navigating the complexities of emotion and performance.
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Soft Targets — Its incisive commentary on societal issues paired with a danceable beat highlights Hendryx's knack for combining serious messages with engaging music.
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Electricity — The pulsating rhythm and dynamic vocals showcase Hendryx's ability to create compelling soundscapes while addressing themes of desire and empowerment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends funk and rock with bold themes, showcasing strong craftsmanship but with some unevenness in flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, rhythmic groove in 'I Sweat (Going Through the Motions)', establishing a danceable funk foundation.
- Tracks like 'Soft Targets' and 'Electricity' incorporate rock elements, featuring prominent guitar riffs that contrast with the funk base.
- Lyrically, the songs address personal and societal issues, with direct commentary that challenges norms, particularly in tracks like 'To the Bone'.
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- invigorating grooves for dancing
- bold lyrics sparking reflection
- short bursts of energetic fun
- dynamic shifts keep engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, mellow tunes
- dislike lyrical depth and nuance
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1984, The Art of Defense marked Nona Hendryx's first album after her tenure with the groundbreaking group Labelle. At this point in her career, Hendryx was carving out a distinct identity as a solo artist, blending her roots in funk with innovative production techniques that reflected the evolving music landscape of the early '80s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Betty Davis· Chaka Khan· Grace Jones
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Sweat (Going Through the Motions) 6:12
- 2 Soft Targets 4:21
- 3 The Life 6:31
- 4 To the Bone 5:18
- 5 Electricity 3:52
- 6 Ghost Love 4:14
- 7 I Want You 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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