Top tracks — play these first
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Doo Wop — Kicking off the album with nostalgic references, this track sets an introspective tone while displaying JID's fluid lyrical style.
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Hereditary — This track delves into themes of familial legacy and personal demons, showcasing JID's storytelling prowess and emotional depth.
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All Bad — Here, JID confronts his flaws and vulnerabilities against a backdrop of captivating production, highlighting the album's exploration of self-awareness.
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LAUDER — With its introspective lyrics and smooth flow, this track captures JID's journey and aspirations, resonating deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
JID's debut showcases strong lyricism and varied production, establishing his unique voice in hip-hop.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response patterns, enhancing the lyrical delivery.
- The production varies from minimalist beats to more complex arrangements with rich instrumentation, reflecting the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- steady pacing with lyrical depth
- personal storytelling through vivid imagery
- immersive experience with intricate wordplay
- consistent flow for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking immediate gratification
- prefer standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Never Story is JID's debut studio album, released in 2017 after a series of well-received mixtapes. At this point, he was gaining recognition as part of the EarthGang collective and Dreamville label, setting the stage for his distinctive voice in contemporary hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Saba· Isaiah Rashad· Denzel Curry
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hereditary
The verse shifts from past experiences to present struggles, creating a stark contrast between inherited challenges and current aspirations.
This transition emphasizes the weight of legacy while simultaneously expressing hope for personal growth.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Doo Wop 1:15
- 2 General 3:18
- 3 NEVER 4:01
- 4 EdEddnEddy 2:20
- 5 D/Vision 4:25
- 6 Hereditary 4:03
- 7 All Bad 4:51
- 8 Underwear 3:34
- 9 8701 1:51
- 10 Hoodbooger 2:36
- 11 Somebody 3:35
- 12 LAUDER 4:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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