III

Released in 2014, III is the pivotal third studio outing for the Toronto-based trio BADBADNOTGOOD and their first to consist entirely of original material. After gaining viral fame for jazz interpretations of hip-hop tracks by Tyler, The Creator and Gucci Mane, III proved the band’s mettle as formidable composers. Recorded at their own studio with a heavy emphasis on vintage analog gear and wet-plate photography aesthetics, the album captures a raw, live energy that is often missing from modern jazz-fusion. The record was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and solidified their status as leaders of the 'new jazz' movement. Sonically, it is characterized by its heavy use of the CS-60 synthesizer and a production style that favors a dry, intimate drum sound. It represents a darker, more experimental turn than their previous work, leaning into 'noir' atmospheres and complex time signatures while maintaining the rhythmic accessibility of instrumental hip-hop.