Top tracks — play these first
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Can I Live — This track encapsulates Ahmed's struggle with identity and belonging, weaving personal narratives with broader societal commentary on race and representation.
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The Breakup (Shikwa) — Opening the album, this track sets the tone by addressing feelings of loss and longing within the context of cultural dislocation and personal relationship struggles.
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Karma — In Karma, Ahmed reflects on the cyclical nature of actions and consequences, using sharp lyricism to express deeper philosophical questions about morality and existence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of spoken word and hip-hop creates a unique narrative style that stands out in its exploration of identity.
What we noticed
- The sequencing builds tension by placing more introspective pieces toward the middle, followed by tracks that offer resolution and reflection.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- short, reflective listening sessions
- intimate storytelling moments
- emotional exploration of identity
- contemplative and poignant themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When The Long Goodbye was released in May 2020, Riz Ahmed was already recognized for his work as an acclaimed actor and musician. This album followed his breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film Sound of Metal, solidifying his position as a multifaceted artist blending music and narrative in innovative ways.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Little Simz· Akala· Dave
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Can I Live
The narrative shifts from personal anecdotes to a broader critique of societal expectations placed on individuals from minority backgrounds.
This transition deepens the impact of his personal story by connecting it directly to larger systemic issues, illustrating how individual experiences are often shaped by collective histories.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Breakup (Shikwa) 3:30
- 2 Toba Tek Singh 3:03
- 3 Mindy: Take Half 0:16
- 4 Fast Lava 1:57
- 5 Ammi: Come Home 0:25
- 6 Any Day 2:47
- 7 Mahershala: Don’t Do Anything Stupid 0:29
- 8 Can I Live 2:48
- 9 Yara: Look Inside 0:24
- 10 Where You From 2:04
- 11 Mogambo 2:20
- 12 Chabuddy: Go Southall 0:20
- 13 Deal With It 2:31
- 14 Hasan: Rush Hour 2 0:54
- 15 Karma 3:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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