Is This Thing of Ours a good place to start with The Alchemist?

Yes, This Thing of Ours is recommended as a starting point for new The Alchemist listeners. A compact exploration of cinematic beats and introspective lyricism that captures the essence of modern hip-hop storytelling. This EP follows The Alchemist's acclaimed production work and solo projects, arriving after his 2020 collaboration with Freddie Gibbs on Alfredo. By 2021, he had solidified his reputation as a leading figure in hip-hop production, showcasing both his versatility and deep understanding of the genre’s nuances.

Who is This Thing of Ours for?

This Thing of Ours works well if you're into short bursts of introspection, energetic tracks for quick listens and instrumentals that invite reflection.

How many songs are on This Thing of Ours?

This Thing of Ours has 8 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

This Thing of Ours

The Alchemist · 2021

20 min · 8 tracks · hip-hop

A compact exploration of cinematic beats and introspective lyricism that captures the essence of modern hip-hop storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nobles Start here — The opening track sets the tone with a masterful blend of atmospheric beats and reflective lyrics, establishing the project's thematic core.
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TV Dinners — This track delivers a poignant narrative wrapped in witty lyricism, showcasing The Alchemist's ability to balance humor with deeper commentary on everyday life.
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Holy Hell — With its haunting production and introspective verses, this song exemplifies The Alchemist's signature style while exploring themes of struggle and resilience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

This EP showcases strong production and lyricism, with a cohesive flow but limited impact beyond its genre.

What we noticed

Each track maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, allowing for a smooth flow throughout the EP.
The lyrical content often reflects personal experiences and societal observations, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short bursts of introspection
energetic tracks for quick listens
instrumentals that invite reflection
front-loaded engagement with themes

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, immersive albums
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid entry that showcases The Alchemist's style but isn't a primary highlight.
Themes: cinematic storytelling· everyday struggles· introspective lyricism
Career context: This EP follows The Alchemist's acclaimed production work and solo projects, arriving after his 2020 collaboration with Freddie Gibbs on Alfredo. By 2021, he had solidified his reputation as a leading figure in hip-hop production, showcasing both his versatility and deep understanding of the genre’s nuances.
Stylistic neighbors: Madlib· Nujabes· Flying Lotus

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

TV Dinners

The narrative shifts from childhood memories to adult realizations about life’s absurdities unfolds with clever imagery.

The juxtaposition between nostalgic elements and stark adult truths creates a layered meaning that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences.