Album Review: Nas – The Season
Alright, let’s get into it. Nas dropped The Season back in 2014, a little gem of a project that doesn’t scream for attention but still hits hard when you give it a spin. It’s Hip Hop straight outta the US, with no big-label nonsense—just Nas doing his thing on his own terms. And hey, when you’ve got J Dilla on production credits, you know you’re in for something soulful and raw. Andrew Bolooki handled the engineering and recording duties, so props to him for keeping the sound crisp without over-polishing it.
Now, this album isn’t some sprawling epic—it’s tight, focused, and packs a punch where it counts. Let’s zoom in on two tracks that stuck with me like gum on a hot sidewalk.
First up is the title track, “The Season.” Man, this one feels like a late-night drive through Brooklyn with your windows down and your thoughts all over the place. J Dilla’s beat? Smooth as butter on pancakes, but don’t let that fool ya—it’s got weight. Nas comes through with bars that are reflective yet sharp, like he’s dropping wisdom while reminiscing about old times. You can tell he’s not trying too hard here; he’s just letting the words flow naturally. That balance between laid-back vibes and razor-sharp lyricism? Chef’s kiss.
Then there’s another banger (okay, I won’t name names because spoilers are lame), but trust me, it’s the kind of track that makes you nod your head so hard you might sprain your neck. The drums slap, the bassline grooves, and Nas rides the beat like he was born to do it. He switches flows effortlessly, almost like he’s daring you to keep up. By the time the song ends, you’re either rewinding it or questioning every life choice that led you to listen to anything else lately.
What’s wild about The Season is how understated it feels. No flashy features, no gimmicks—just good ol’ fashioned storytelling and beats that hit the spot. It’s like Nas looked at the state of Hip Hop in 2014, shrugged, and said, “Nah, I’m gonna do me.” And honestly? We needed that.
So yeah, if you’re looking for an album that’ll blow your socks off with pyrotechnics, this ain’t it. But if you want something real, something that sneaks up on you and stays in your rotation longer than you expected, check out The Season. Oh, and fun fact: listening to this album might make you realize how much better music sounds when artists stop chasing trends and start chasing truth. Or maybe it’ll just make you hungry for pancakes. Either way, win-win.
