Telefone – Noname ★★★★

Year	Album	Artist	Stars	Score	Genre
2016	Telefone	Noname	★★★★	80	Hip-Hop	Alternative Hip-Hop	Jazz Rap

While people were out celebrating Chance the Rapper’s mixtape Coloring Book in the summer of 2016 because of his warm personality, laid back and authentic demeanor, and pleasant — sometimes grand — gospel-forward production, another Chicago rapper released her own mixtape that gave off similar nostalgic, youthful and warm vibes.

However, Noname’s Telefone is soulful instead of preachy, contemplative instead of peachy, and in a stripped down package that’s more reminiscent of D’Angelo than Kanye.

Telefone is jazzy and soulful, with production that sometimes has a daydream kind of quality that’s chill and relaxed, but still upbeat. Delivering smart lyrics, Noname’s voice is soothing, providing the clarity and comfort of a warm cup of coffee after a somewhat restless night. 

Her thought provoking, coming-of-age story telling at times feel closer to a spoken word poet reading over pristine instrumentals than a traditional emcee. The other collaborators on the record — like theMIND and SABA, who has a verse and produces a number of the tracks — fit in with the album’s overall feeling as well.

While Noname’s songs don’t reach the anthemic, sing-a-long quality of her Chance’s charismatic singles from 2016, the intimate presentation gives Telefone a level of sophistication that pairs with Noname’s charm and subject matter.