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These Days… is the third studio album by American hip hop recording artist Ab-Soul. The album was released on June 24, 2014, via Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). It serves as the follow-up to 2012's critically acclaimed Control System.

The album features guest appearances from Black Hippy affiliates Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock, as well as Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson and Mac Miller (as Delusional Thomas), whose in-house studio is where Ab-Soul recorded the majority of the record, among others.

The album's production was handled by Digi+Phonics' Dave Free, Sounwave and Tae Beast, among others such as Rahki, Curtiss King, DJ Dahi, Like of Pac Div, Terrace Martin, Corin Roddick of Purity Ring, Mac Miller as Larry Fisherman and J. Cole.

Background

On May 5, 2014, after clearing up rumors that his album was called Black Lip Pastor, Ab-Soul revealed the true title to be These Days…. In a May 2014 interview, with Jay-Z's Life+Times, Ab-Soul spoke on several topics, such as his song "Stigmata", not having a super conceptual title for the album and recording the majority of it at Mac Miller's house. When asked what should listeners take away from These Days…, Ab-Soul answered: "Balance. Variation. A spice of life. I want to try and touch as many bases as possible. I want something on there for everybody. There will be a lot of references to the vibe of today, the sound of today and the subject matter of today." When asked what has been your favorite part of creating These Days…, he answered: "It would probably be this part – being able to present it and talk about it. This is what I’ve really been waiting on. The recording process was very fun, of course. I recorded the majority of it at Mac Miller‘s house, so you know that was just crazy. It was great recording, but I just couldn't wait for this part." When speaking on the album's title with HipHopDX, Ab-Soul stated: "It’s kind of like self-explanatory. I just wanted it to be a little time capsule of the last couple of years since my absence. The vibe of music and life right now like the last couple of years."

Recording and production

On June 1, 2014 Ab-Soul described the album would be a "Top Dawg party" and will feature production from Sounwave, Tae Beast, Skyhe Hutch and Tommy Black, among others. He called the recording process for These Days… "fun" and says he recorded most of the album at fellow American rapper Mac Miller’s Los Angeles home: "We had a lot of fun in that red room," Ab-Soul says. "Very psychedelic, you could lose track of time. Just open the door and it’s daylight. People like recording there ’cause of the vibe."

Release and promotion

On August 6, 2013, Ab-Soul announced he was working on a new project. The following day he would speak to XXL and confirm that JMSN and Jhené Aiko, will appear on the upcoming project. On October 17, 2013, Ab-Soul stated that he was close to finalizing it. On October 25, 2013, Ab-Soul released a track titled "Dub Sac". Then later that week, he confirmed that his new album had been turned in for mixing and cleared up rumors that it was titled Black Lip Pastor.

On January 6, 2014, in an interview with Bootleg Kev, when speaking on the album Ab-Soul stated: "Ali is mixing it right now," and that they were waiting on the perfect way to present the project, as a result of creative releases such as Nipsey Hussle's Crenshaw. He also revealed the album is about progression and confirmed there would be appearances from his TDE label-mates, as well as production from hip hop producer Statik Selektah. On April 18, 2014, Ab-Soul premiered a song titled "Tree of Life", in promotion for the album.

On May 5, 2014, Ab-Soul took to Twitter to announce his third solo effort would be titled These Days…. On May 22, 2014, Ab-Soul released a song titled "Stigmata", via TDE's SoundCloud page. Produced by Rahki, the song was inspired by Nas' "The Cross" and features Action Bronson and Philadelphia-based rapper Asaad. On May 30, 2014, its music video, directed by Dave Free and APLUSFILMZ, was released. The video, which clocks in a minute and a half because of the removal of the two guest rappers' verses, finds a blood-soaked Ab-Soul, re-imagined as Jesus Christ, trekking alone through a desert environment with a wooden cross on his back and a crown of thorns on his head. The clip ends with the album's cover art and release date.

Also on May 30, 2014, Top Dawg management took to Twitter to confirm that These Days… is scheduled for a June 24, release date. On June 1, 2014, Ab-Soul appeared on Hot 97's Real Late with Rosenberg, to discuss and promote the album. On June 10, 2014, he premiered the audio for a song off the album titled "Hunnid Stax", featuring his Black Hippy cohort ScHoolboy Q. Ab-Soul performed "Stigmata" sans Action Bronson and Asaad on Revolt Live on June 19, 2014. On June 20, 2014, TDE released a music video for a song from the album titled "Closure".

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
The 405	6.5/10
The A.V. Club	B-
AllHipHop	7.5/10
DJBooth
Exclaim!	7/10
HipHopDX
Paste	7.7/10
Pitchfork Media	7.7/10
XXL	(XL)

Upon its release, These Days... received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jabbari Weaks of Exclaim! wrote "the self-proclaimed "Genius, idiot" succeeds for the most part in moving out of his sonic comfort zone while toeing the lyrical line between enlightenment and ignorance." G. Avant of AllHipHop wrote "These Days was just one step further in solidifying the position of Ab-Soul and TDE as a collective for long term success." Eric Thurm of The A.V. Club noted "for someone so comfortable wearing his poetic heart on his sleeve, the black-lipped pastor has made an oddly distant album." Kellan Miller of XXL wrote "if he continues to release profound, well-rounded material, his name will no doubt be included in Top Five Lists across the board." Philip Cosores of Paste wrote "These days, there is almost always as much reason to be thinking deeply as there is to escape. That Ab-Soul tries to do both makes for a pretty entertaining ride, even when he technically falters."

Track listing

Notes

• "God's Reign" features additional vocals from Isaiah Rashad.
• "Tree of Life" features additional vocals from Audra the Rapper and Joey Badass.
• "Hunnid Stax" features additional vocals from Mac Miller and Puff Daddy.
• "Dub Sac" features additional vocals from A-Mack and Punch.
• "World Runners" features additional vocals from Jade Honesty.
• "Nevermind That" features additional vocals from BJ the Chicago Kid.
• "Twact" features additional vocals from DoeBurger.
• "Just Have Fun" features additional vocals from Da$h, RetcH and The O'My's.
• "Kendrick Lamar's Interlude" features additional vocals from JaVonte'.
• "Closure" features additional vocals from Jhené Aiko.
• "Sapiosexual" features additional vocals from B-Diddy, Jae Crizz, SZA and Isaiah Rashad.
• "Ride Slow" features additional vocals from Earl Sweatshirt and DoeBurger.

Sample credits

• "Hunnid Stax" contains a sample of "National Anthem", as performed by Lana Del Rey.
• "Just Have Fun" contains an interpolation of "Own It", written by Aubrey Graham, Anthony Palman, Noah Shebib, Noel Fisher and Proctor.
• "Closure" contains a sample of "Get Out", as composed by Shlohmo.
• "Feelin' Us" contains an interpolation of "Love Sosa", written by Keith Cozart and Tyree Pittman.
• "W.R.O.H" contains a sample of "Air For Life", as composed by Above & Beyond and Andy Moor.

Weekly charts

References

1. Ramirez, Erika (30 May 2014). "The Juice Podcast Ab-Soul Talks 'These Days' Delays, Plus Ratking Interview". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
2. ^ Walsh, Peter (6 May 2014). "Ab-Soul's Album Title Is 'These days…'". XXLmag.com. Harris Publications, Inc. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
3. ^ http://lifeandtimes.com/ab-soul-talks-new-music-t-d-e-and-these-days-album
4. ^ Harling, Danielle (4 June 2014). "Ab-Soul Says "These Days…" Will Be A "Top Dawg Party"". HipHopDX.com. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
5. Nostro, Lauren (6 Aug 2013). "Ab-Soul "Christopher DRONEr"". Complexmag.ca. Complex Media. Retrieved 6 Jun 2014.
6. Johnson, Miranda (8 Aug 2013). "Ab-Soul Speaks On New Single And Upcoming Project With JMSN". XXLmag.com. Harris Publications, Inc. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
7. Johnson, Miranda (17 Oct 2013). "Ab-Soul Is Putting The Final Touches On His Next Project". XXLmag.ca. Harris Publications, Inc. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
8. http://www.stereogum.com/1538671/ab-soul-dub-sac/mp3s/
9. Lilah, Rose (22 Oct 2013). "Ab-Soul Talks On Upcoming Project & Confusion Surrounding Title, Isaiah Rashad & "Unit 6"". HotNewHipHop.com. Urbanlinx Media, Inc. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
10. Tardio, Andres (19 Oct 2013). "Ab-Soul Finalizing New Album, Title Unknown". HipHopDX.com. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
11. ^ "Ab-Soul Interview w/ Bootleg Kev (Exclusive)". BootlegKev.com. BSC MultiMedia LLC. 6 Jan 2014. Retrieved 7 Jun 204. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
12. http://www.complex.com/music/2014/04/ab-soul-tree-of-life
13. Gordon, Jeremy (23 May 2014). "Ab-Soul Teams With Action Bronson on Nas-Inspired "Stigmata"". Pitchfork.com. Pitchfork Media Inc. Retrieved 11 Jun 2014.
14. The 405 (31 May 2014). "Ab-Soul details new album, unveils video for 'Stigmata'". TheFourOhFive.com. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
15. Lyons, Patrick (30 May 2014). "Ab-Soul "Stigmata" Video". HotNewHipHop.com. Urbanlinx Media, Inc. Retrieved 12 Jun 2014.
16. "Ab-Soul Reveals Video for "Stigmata" & Album Release Date". Hypetrack.com. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 12 Jun 2014.
17. Benton-Martin, Erika (31 May 2014). "Ab-Soul Releases 'These Days…' Album Art, Release Date And 'Stigmata' Teaser Video". MusicTimes.com. MusicTimes.com. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
18. Frydenlund, Zach (30 May 2014). "Watch Ab-Soul's Video for "Stigmata"". Complexmag.com. Complex Media. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.
19. The 405 (31 May 2014). "Ab-Soul details new album, unveils video for 'Stigmata'". TheFourOhFive.com. Retrieved 7 Jun 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
20. Karaslamb (10 Jun 2014). "Ab-Soul x Schoolboy Q – "Hunnid Stax"". Okayplayer.com. okayplayer.com. Retrieved 12 Jun 2014.
21. Goddard, Kevin (19 Jun 2014). "Ab-Soul Performs 'Stigmata' On Revolt TV [New Video]". HotNewHipHop.com. Urbanlinx Media, Inc. Retrieved 21 Jun 2014.
22. http://www.rap-up.com/2014/06/21/video-ab-soul-closure/
23. <http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.16759/title.ab-soul-closure-/
24. http://www.thefourohfive.com/review/article/ab-soul-these-days-140
25. http://www.avclub.com/review/ab-soul-loses-control-these-days-206032
26. http://allhiThop.com/2014/06/24/ab-soul-these-days-album-review/
27. http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/ab-soul-these-days
28. http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/ab-soul-these_days
29. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.2302/title.ab-soul-these-days
30. http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/06/ab-soul-these-days-review.html
31. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19481-ab-soul-these-days/
32. http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/06/ab-soul-these-days-album-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ab-soul-these-days-album-review
33. http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/ab-soul-these_days
34. http://allhiphop.com/2014/06/24/ab-soul-these-days-album-review/
35. http://www.avclub.com/review/ab-soul-loses-control-these-days-206032
36. http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2014/06/ab-soul-these-days-album-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ab-soul-these-days-album-review
37. http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/06/ab-soul-these-days-review.html
38. Pizzo (12 Jun 2014). "Ab-Soul – "These Days" (feat. The O'My's) + Album Tracklist". HipHopSite.com. Retrieved 14 Jun 2014.
39. "Ab-Soul | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
40. "2014 Top 40 R&B Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. July 5, 2014.

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