Talk Memory

Talk Memory marks a significant evolution for BADBADNOTGOOD, moving away from the collaborative, guest-heavy format of IV and returning to their core as an instrumental ensemble. Released in 2021, the album leans heavily into the traditions of spiritual jazz and psychedelic soul, eschewing the hip-hop covers of their youth for complex, original compositions. A central feature of the album is the collaboration with Arthur Verocai, whose string arrangements lend a timeless, high-fidelity grandeur to the recordings. The production is strictly analog, emphasizing the physical interaction of the players in a room. Critical reception, including from AllMusic, highlighted the band's increased maturity and their ability to blend avant-garde tendencies with accessible, melodic hooks. It stands as their most ambitious work, bridging the gap between the 1970s fusion era and modern experimentalism.