ALBUM REVIEW: NONAME'S SERENADE OF HIP HOP'S COMPLEX LANDSCAPE IN SUNDIAL
BY: JESSE ZAPATERO
Noname's "Sundial," emerges as a masterful interrogation of contemporary culture. This album showcases her to be a spirit-driven creative force.
She skillfully takes on societal issues and self-reflection, challenging the prevailing norms with her distinct blend of buttery delivery and head-in-the-clouds lyricism. The album's title itself, drawing from the device that measures time by shadows, serves as a metaphor for Noname's personal sense of timing and her ability to cast shadows on false lights.
From the opening track, Noname cuts through the anti-critical positivity that commodifies Black art, refusing to succumb to the notion that it's all good as long as it's Black. "Sundial" pushes against complacency in a down-to-earth manner, avoiding preachiness and heavy-handedness. Noname's willingness to expose her own contradictions in a genre often characterized by indestructibility is a gutsy move that adds depth to her narrative.
Throughout the album, Noname's loopy, shapeshifting flow and dynamic voice effortlessly weave together everyday reflections with anti-imperial ideology. She navigates provocative bars that critique Disney or Obama with a matter-of-fact demeanor, inviting the general public to confront uncomfortable truths.
The features on the album, particularly $ilkmoney and Jay Electronica, add layers, contributing to the overall richness of this project.
"Balloons," a track featuring Jay Electronica, stands out as a thorny masterpiece that grapples with contradictions and complexities. Noname's inclusion of a controversial figure like Jay Electronica showcases her willingness to engage with messiness, even as it may conflict with her overall messaging. The song becomes a rap clinic, prompting listeners to question whether open contradictions make the art any less great, a reflection of the broader controversy within expectations of Black music.
Noname's approach marks a call to a casual renaissance of revolution-driven storytelling in hip-hop. She dismantles the deradicalization of the genre, infusing it with jazzy grooves and revolutionary politics. Sundial becomes a platform for Noname to confront and reclaim the intellectual and political heritage of rap that has been co-opted by professional opportunists.
"Sundial" navigates the complexities of identity politics, escapism, and vulnerability within the hip-hop genre. Noname's fearless merging of archetypes and epochs creates a visionary album that goes beyond expectations. Her deliberate approach to language and her love for words become tools for self-discovery and reclamation, making the hero's consciousness universal and transcendent. The rapper's unwavering passion for music, coupled with her commitment to addressing societal issues, makes this album a compelling and thought-provoking addition to the hip-hop releases of 2023.
