Aight, so I finally listened to the album.
It's not as bad as some are making it out to be and I think what's dividing people is the generational difference in production.
This album sounds nothing like Hitboy, whose production was more “modern” and accessible to younger Nas listeners, whereas Premier sounds much more like a throwback to the early-mid 90s. Basically, the album has an “old head” feel to it that might be a bit polarizing to those who prefer the newly found Hitboy sound Nas was working with for the past 5+ albums.
Some listeners got really accustomed to Nas rapping on Hitboy production that this might be seen as “jumping the shark” for many.
Also, I think people who haven't been following or listening to Premier's production over the years are just now realizing that he doesn't sound like the same producer from the '90s. Gone are the raw, hard-hitting drums and scratches that defined his work, and now there's more “soul” in his beats, which are now melodic-driven, the backdrop is what's driving his production.
As far as the album goes, if I had to rate it out of 10, I'd say it's about a 6.5-7/10.
If I had to rate the songs individually...the bolded being my favorite tracks.
My Life Is Real • 4/5
Git Ready • 4.5/5
NY State Of Mind 3 • 3.5/5
Welcome To The Underground • 3.5/5
Madman • 4/5
Pause Tapes • 4.5/5
Writers • 5/5
Sons (Young Kings) • 5/5
It's Time • 4.5/5
Nasty Esco Nasir • 4/5
My Story Your Story • 4.5/5
Bouquet (To The Ladies) • 4/5
Junkie • 4.5/5
Shine Together • 4/5
3rd Childhood • 4.5/5
I think the second half of the album, starting with 'Pause Tapes,' was much better than the first five songs.
Now, in my opinion, NYSOM3 wasn't soo bad; however, had they just used the Billy Joel song as the template for the song itself, rather than just the chorus, it could've been one of (if not) the best song(s) on the album. I see what he was trying to do in thematically connecting it to the previous two NYSOM songs, in that those had a gritty sound.
..most the ones i like are in the 2nd half ..this is definitely for 
ain't nothing wrong with that
. fukk what everyone else talking bout.. I'm about to buy 2 more copies. I drove to Raleigh and back today and I listened to it 4 times total. One time on youtube when it dropped and 7 times driving. It would have been 6, but I let my wife listen to Oliva Dean's album twice and Syd Once. Fuk the bullshyt, I dig it. Primo is almost 60 and Nas is 52. I think it's some great "old man" hip hop music. I personally like the De la soul and Mobb Deep albums better, but I love the album. For people talking about the beats are simple, most of Primo's classic tracks are very simple. Dwyck is a 2 bar bass loop and a half-bar "synthetic substitution" drum sample over it. "Second childhood" is a 2 bar Pebo Bryson loop. Memory lane is just a 2 bar loop with no changes. We all like what we like. This aint for everyone. Some people said the Mobb, De la, and even Common/Pete Rock albums were trash so we all got our likes and dislikes. I detest trap music. I hate trap music more than I hate the police, but if that's someone's cup of tea, that's for them...
Is that more from newer Nas fans?
