The phrase “skipless album” is one of music culture’s most coveted badges of honor. It describes a record so airtight that every track demands attention. In a recent discussion on NFR podcast, Luca and Antony put that idea under a microscope, revisiting classics often hailed as flawless and identifying the songs they quietly skip when listening in real time.
The duo laid out clear rules before diving in. A skip had to be genuine—not nitpicking for shock value, but a track they truly move past when streaming an album straight through. Importantly, they stressed that a skip doesn’t equal a bad song. Many identified tracks still serve a purpose in narrative or concept but don’t make the cut for casual, repeat listening.
Revisiting the Canon
Kendrick Lamar’s Catalog
To Pimp a Butterfly – The epic closer “Mortal Man,” with its legendary Tupac interview, earned recognition for its artistry. Still, after years of listening, one of the hosts admitted to skipping it in favor of revisiting the album’s more immediate highs.
DAMN. – The track “God” was singled out as the project’s weakest moment, described as unconvincing compared to the weight of the surrounding material.
Drake’s Nothing Was the Same
“Started From the Bottom” remains iconic, but it landed on the skip list as a time saver. With limited listening windows, the preference leaned toward deeper cuts like “Wu-Tang Forever” over the repetitive anthem.
Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
“Monster” faced scrutiny for not aging gracefully. Despite Nicki Minaj’s standout performance, the rest of the verses were seen as increasingly corny over time.
Modern Classics Under Fire
Tyler, the Creator
Igor – “Mama” was dismissed as filler, with its production failing to reach the heights of the surrounding tracks.
Call Me If You Get Lost – “Lemonhead” was flagged for feeling out of place, its origins as a track for another project evident in its lack of cohesion with the album’s lush soundscape.
Travis Scott’s Astroworld
“NC-17” was called the rare flat moment on the album, a track that didn’t quite match the record’s otherwise high bar for creativity.
Alternative & Underground Cuts
JPEGMAFIA
A track from I Laid Down My Life for You was considered too abrasive, its experimental layering more uncomfortable than replayable.
Pusha T’s It’s Almost Dry
“Scrape It Off” and “Rock N Roll” didn’t pass the test. Both tracks were faulted for features and execution that fell short of the album’s sharper moments.
Why Skips Matter
Beyond individual opinions, the discussion revealed a broader truth: “skipless” is often more of a myth than reality. Even beloved albums contain moments that some listeners pass over, and that doesn’t negate their cultural or artistic importance. The panel emphasized that separating “artistic value” from “playlist value” is part of what keeps these debates so alive.
Their challenge to fans: if even the most celebrated albums have at least one questionable track, what’s the skip on your favorite so-called perfect record?
