Erykah Badu has released her first full-length album in 16 years, "Before the World Blows: The Abi & Alan Experiment," a collaborative effort with producer The Alchemist. The album, which follows her 2015 mixtape "But You Caint Use My Phone" and 2010's "New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh)," is described as a "lucid and adventurous" 16-track project that has been highly anticipated since its announcement in March 2025.
Badu emphasizes her significant role in the album's creation, stating, "I am the executive producer. I was there from inception to the mix." She re-conceptualized The Alchemist's beats, asserting her vision as a composer and producer. This release is seen as a comeback, showcasing her unique blend of neo-soul, R&B, and jazz influences, which has impacted artists from SZA to Cleo Sol. The album features a diverse array of guest artists including Steve Lacy, Earl Sweatshirt, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington, and Westside Gunn.
"Before the World Blows" explores themes of gender politics and embracing life's moments, with a sound that incorporates boom-bap psychedelia, 1970s jazz-rock, and a "meandering haze" that prioritizes atmosphere over instant gratification. Standout tracks include the moving "I Know That Man" featuring Earl Sweatshirt and the Afrofuturistic psychedelic jazz of "Black Box" with Kamasi Washington, despite criticism of the latter's abrupt ending. Badu's vocal delivery ranges from pitched-up trap to tender R&B, and she incorporates rapping, often alluding to her ex André 3000's lyrics.
Critics highlight the album's cohesive nature, strong songwriting, and dreamy vocals, which blend seamlessly with The Alchemist's atmospheric production. The project, clocking in at just over an hour, is praised for its ability to infuse Blackness, spirituality, and humor into its lyrics, with a consistent pace that allows Badu's measured style to shine. It is considered The Alchemist's strongest production since his 2022 collaboration with Roc Marciano, "The Elephant Man’s Bones," and Badu's best full-length since her 2008 album "New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)."
