The Thief Next to Jesus is the ninth and final studio album by American rapper Ka, released on August 19, 2024, through Ka's own label Iron Works.
| The Thief Next to Jesus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 19, 2024 | |||
| Studio | Studio City Sound | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:27 | |||
| Label | Iron Works | |||
| Producer | Ka | |||
| Ka chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Thief Next to Jesus | ||||
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Background
editKa surprise released The Thief Next to Jesus exclusively for purchase for $20 through his website on August 19, 2024, with only a music video for the single "Such Devotion" being made available for streaming.[1] The album's release was announced on Instagram, with Ka writing: "Thank you for still being interested after my 2 years away. I really wanted to come back with something meaningful. This one holds a special place for me. Hope it moves you in the same way."[2] The Thief Next to Jesus was later made available for streaming on September 19, 2024.[3]
The Thief Next to Jesus is Ka's last known recording; he died on October 12, 2024, at the age of 52.[4]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Pitchfork | 8.1/10[5] |
| The Needle Drop | 9/10[6] |
The Thief Next to Jesus received little attention upon release, but was well-regarded by critics. Pitchfork writer Matthew Ritchie gave the album an 8.1/10, praising the use of gospel samples along with its themes of Christianity and its links to African Americans. Ritchie wrote, "Breaking down the tools used to oppress Black folks has always been at the forefront of Ka's writing, and the frank manner in which he parses and critiques the Black American connection to Christianity here produces stunning moments."[5] Anthony Fantano gave the album a rating of 9/10 and named it his fifth favorite album of 2024, praising the album's production and lyricism. Fantano also highlighted the themes of the album, discussing how Ka's faith was affected deeply through "years of witnessing and experiencing trauma as well as injustice".[6]
Vulture included the album on its list of the "Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)".[7]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bread, Wine, Body, Blood" | 2:53 |
| 2. | "Beautiful" | 3:00 |
| 3. | "Tested Testimony" | 2:14 |
| 4. | "Borrowed Time" | 2:47 |
| 5. | "Collection Plate" | 1:52 |
| 6. | "Broken Rose Window" | 3:06 |
| 7. | "God Undefeated" | 2:03 |
| 8. | "Soul and Spirit" | 1:59 |
| 9. | "Lord Have Mercy" | 2:36 |
| 10. | "Such Devotion" | 2:29 |
| 11. | "Cross You Bear" | 2:23 |
| 12. | "Fragile Faith" | 2:28 |
| 13. | "Hymn and I" | 2:33 |
| 14. | "True Holy Water" | 2:57 |
| Total length: | 35:27 | |
Personnel
edit- Ka – vocals, production
- Michael Fossenkemper – mastering
- Scotty Hard – mixing
- Connor Schultze – recording
- Preservation – additional Pro Tools editing
- Mark Shaw – design
Footnotes
edit- ^ Pearis 2024.
- ^ DeVille 2024.
- ^ Breihan 2024.
- ^ Romero & Tarrant 2024.
- ^ a b Ritchie 2024.
- ^ a b Fantano 2024.
- ^ Jenkins 2024.
References
edit- Breihan, Tom (2024-09-19). "Ka's New Album The Thief Next To Jesus Is Streaming Now". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2024-10-07. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- DeVille, Chris (2024-08-19). "Ka Surprise-Releases New Album The Thief Next To Jesus". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2024-08-21. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- Fantano, Anthony (2024-10-27). "Ka - The Thief Next to Jesus". The Needle Drop. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- Jenkins, Craig (2024-10-03). "The Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)". Vulture. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- Pearis, Bill (2024-08-19). "Ka surprise-releases new album 'The Thief Next to Jesus,' shares "Such Devotion" video". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- Ritchie, Matthew (2024-08-28). "Ka: The Thief Next to Jesus Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- Romero, Dennis; Tarrant, Tavleen (2024-10-14). "Ka, a New York rapper celebrated as a legendary wordsmith, is dead at 52". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-10-30.