This Thing Called Life
August Alsina · 2015
56 min · 15 tracks · contemporary R&B
A heartfelt blend of contemporary R&B and hip-hop, exploring personal struggles with a soulful vulnerability.
Top tracks — play these first
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Job — This track stands out with its infectious hook and relatable lyrics about the struggles of balancing ambition and financial hardship, showcasing Alsina's storytelling ability.
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Change — In 'Change', Alsina reflects on personal transformation and resilience, making it a poignant highlight that resonates deeply with listeners facing their own challenges.
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Song Cry — 'Song Cry' captures raw emotion as Alsina confronts heartbreak, exemplifying his ability to blend vulnerability with powerful vocal delivery, making it one of the album’s standout moments.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases personal storytelling through varied tempos and collaborations, though it lacks a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word elements, allowing Alsina's emotional delivery to resonate deeply with the listener.
- The album includes multiple collaborations with other artists, which introduce varying vocal styles and production techniques throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
- heartfelt reflections on personal struggles
- intimate moments for quiet contemplation
- pacing that invites deep listening
- cathartic expressions of vulnerability
- soulful storytelling with emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party anthems
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'This Thing Called Life' was released in December 2015, August Alsina had established himself as a rising star in R&B. This album came after his debut, 'Testimony,' which had garnered success with hit singles like 'I Luv This Shit' and marked his transition from a promising newcomer to a recognized voice in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Trey Songz· Jeremih· Chris Brown
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Dreamer
The bridge shifts into a reflective tone as Alsina considers his dreams against life’s obstacles.
Here, the use of contrasting imagery emphasizes the tension between aspiration and reality, deepening the emotional impact of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 This Thing Called Life 0:57
- 2 Job 4:14
- 3 Why I Do It 3:58
- 4 Hollywood 3:28
- 5 Hip Hop 3:29
- 6 Change 3:20
- 7 Dreamer 4:46
- 8 Been Around the World 3:22
- 9 First Time 3:08
- 10 Would You Know? 5:35
- 11 Song Cry 4:29
- 12 Other Side 3:59
- 13 American Dream 3:28
- 14 Look at How Far I've Come 4:24
- 15 The Encore 3:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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