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A.W.O.L.
Hip-Hop · 2005 · 13 tracks

A.W.O.L.

AZ

September 6, 2005 · Fastlife

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A.W.O.L. represents a pivotal moment where AZ stepped away from the commercial pressures of major labels to reclaim his status as a purist's favorite. It sounds like the quintessential New York night: sophisticated, slightly dangerous, and deeply soulful.

The production is a masterclass in mid-2000s boom bap, featuring contributions from legends like DJ Premier and Buckwild who provide a backdrop of warm, crackling samples and neck-snapping percussion. This is music for the listener who appreciates the architecture of a rhyme as much as the groove of the beat.

Tracklist · 13 Tracks
01
So Sincere
1:57
02
Never Change
4:26
03
New York
3:45
04
Can’t Stop
4:15
05
Still Alive
4:04
06
AZ’s Chillin
3:55
07
City of Gods
4:14
08
Street Life
4:33
09
Bedtime Story
2:12
10
The Come Up
3:46
11
Envious
2:57
12
A.W.O.L.
3:40
13
Live Wire / Magic Hour / The Truth
10:49
Moments Worth Listening For
The seamless transition of the soul vocal sample into the heavy kick drum on New York
DJ Premier's surgical scratching of AZ's own voice on the hook of The Come Up
The way the jazzy piano loop on Magic Hour creates a hazy sunset atmosphere for CL Smooth's guest verse
The somber, minor-key string arrangement that anchors the introspective storytelling on City of Gods
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does A.W.O.L. sound next to the rest of AZ's catalogue?

MOOVOCLYRPROINS

This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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