In A Nutshell:

RECOMMENDED FOR:

· FANS OF THE JAZZ

· PEOPLE INTO INSTRUMENTAL HIP HOP

· PEOPLE WHO LOVE A GOOD SAX

Average Rating: 8.4/10

Pros:

· Sexy saxophone all over this album

· Great improvisational performances

· Diverse songs/many styles of music

Cons:

· If you don’t like instrumental music, then most of this won’t be your jam

Canadian jazz/instrumental hip hop band BADBADNOTGOOD is back with their fourth full-length album IV. The fellas have added saxophonist Leland Whitty as a full-time member of the band, making the trio a quartet for this album. IV was released July 8. Some guest musicians on this album include Sam Herring of Future Islands, producer Kaytranada, rapper Mick Jenkins, saxophonist Colin Stetson, and singer Charlotte Day Wilson.

Chester Hansen, Leland Whitty of BBNG. Photo by: villunderlondon

J-dot:

The release of this album excited me really hard. This is mainly because of the addition of Leland Whitty as a full time member. For anyone who doesn’t know Whitty, which is probably most of the people reading this, Leland Whitty is a bad mother fucker who can and will blow musical greatness all over your face with his saxophone. Anyone who doesn’t believe can listen to Confessions off of BBNG’s third album. On top of Whitty being added to the band, the list of guests on this album only made my excitement grow. Kaytranada, Mick Jenkins, and Charlotte Day Wilson all on the same album with BBNG? Yes please.

One thing immediately noticeable is that BBNG are not out to make an album that sounds like their previous albums. This album is a sign of the growth of their sound as a band. BBNG are more diverse on this album than they’ve ever been. Some songs are spooky and spacy sounding like “And That, Too” and “Lavender.” Some songs are soulful and serene like “Time Moves Slow” and “In Your Eyes.” And then some songs just burn hard and have a classic hard bop feel like “IV.”

BBNG’s chemistry with all the guests on the album is something very noteworthy as well. All the guest performances are natural sounding and unforced. Sam Herring adapts very well to a fairly unfamiliar setting for him on “Time Moves Slow.” Charlotte Day Wilson delivers the goods on “In Your Eyes” with a beautiful and jazzy performance that fits the instrumentation like bread and butter.

Overall, I am a happy man. BBNG have delivered an album that is more mature and diverse than their last album with fantastic guest performances to compliment it.

Favorite songs: “Confessions Pt. II,” “IV,” “Speaking Gently”

8/10

Brandon Shepherd of BBNG. Photo by: villunderlondon

Dedos Magicos:

After J-dot introduced me to these guys a few months ago, and then after seeing them live at Coachella, BadBadNotGood has been one of the coolest, most intriguing new musical groups of late, in my eyes. This album delivered on every expectation I had, and then some.

Every song on this record gives its own unique flavor to the delicious gourmet meal that is the album as a whole. BBNG displays ridiculous musical talent and instrumental ability throughout IV. There is a variety of cool sounds that add spice to the fantastic jazzy backing instrumentals, whilst still flowing together well and coherently. It’s truly an impressive progression for BBNG as a band, they flawlessly managed to maintain the familiar sound that so many of their fans have gone crazy for, whilst still giving a unique and fresh performance that give us something new to be excited about.

It is extremely hard to pinpoint my favorite aspects of the album because I like so damn much of it. However, I know that I do want to make a point of giving a shoutout to the track Hyssop of Love (feat. Mick Jenkins). I have never been the biggest follower or enthusiast of hip-hop music, but that’s not to say I don’t like the genre, and I think some hip-hop songs/artists are fantastic. Hyssop of Love exactly the type of track I love to hear when listening to hip-hop. Not only does Jenkins give a lyrically fulfilling and vocally impressive performance on his verses, but the instrumentals by BBNG are proof that hip-hop songs can have incredible musical depth.

And a quick mention also to the way that track blends so nicely together with the following, Structure No. 3. Matty Tavares’ riffs on the rhodes piano, and cs60 are spectacular to listen to.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album in it’s entirety. It’s all really good, if you haven’t already, go listen to it right now.

Favorite Songs: Hyssop of Love, Structure No. 3, IV, Lavender

8.6/10

Alexander Sowinski of BBNG. Photo by: villunderlondon

#lukeslostineurope:

Uh oh, jazz?! Yes, jazz, the yazz, j-yazsh. Fear not! This album is actually enjoyable for a large variety of listeners. Back in the day (and still somewhat now), many jazz-heads were purist in terms of production. When saying this, I mean that the composition and performance WAS the album. The production and sound engineering would be done in a way to emulate a live sound. To produce such a sound, very minimal is done with the core recordings. ‘Standard” jazz instruments, as might be in a quartet, are lovely, but can run dry. I am not claiming that this album is insanely produced. However, if you are not incredibly familiar with jazz, this album may be a great place to start. There is a variety of electric piano and synthesizer layers to this album.

Furthermore, jazz enthusiasts will get a kick too. This group’s take on jazz is certainly younger than a traditional jazz album. That last statement might have seemed like utter fluff- but listen to the album. The swells in the songs’ moods are very pronounced and lively. And as I mentioned earlier, seeing further electronic implementation in such a genre certainly expresses youth within a genre jam-packed with legendary figures keeling over their instruments.

My qualms with this album are certainly limited. Occasionally, due to the usage of synths, some particular instrumentation gets lightly faded and washed within a sea of synth noise. Nonetheless, it is not a frequent problem. Overall, solid-ass album. Give it a spin~

Favorite Song: Cashmere

8.5/10

Go do whatever it takes to get your hands on this album, and this music on your ears. IV is now available for purchase on BBNG's band camp website:

https://badbadnotgoodil.bandcamp.com/album/iv

Or go listen on Spotify, Soundcloud... and all that good stuff.