Maybe now North Kakalaka will cease being just another shout-out via Little Brother’s laidback indie hip-hop in the Native Tongue groove. With a lyrical delivery nestled between Q-Tip and Common-nasally, mellow flows expounding on fake hoes and false rappers-and lilting production that grooves with soulful samples and funk-laden loops, The Listening relies on a proven formula that keeps it simple and funky. But packing in 18 tracks is unnecessary for proven formulas, leaving the album teetering too close to monotony and falling victim to what the title track despises-aural wallpaper.