We Buy Diabetic Test Strips

On July 3, 2023, Billy Woods revealed that their next studio album was almost done, saying that they took a "pretty different" approach and that Elucid was still working on the record. Collaborator and producer Kenny Segal thought that the album was "ridiculous" and looking to "knock Maps off the album-of-the-year list".{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/billy_woods_reveals_that_armand_hammers_new_album_is_nearly_done|title=Armand Hammer's New Album Is Nearly Done, Will "Knock 'Maps' Off the Album-of-the-Year List"|last=Hudson|first=Alex|website=Exclaim!|date=July 3, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}} About two weeks later, mysterious postcards and flyers with phone numbers that lead to album and pre-order details were spotted.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/armand-hammer-announce-new-album-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips/|title=Armand Hammer Announce New Album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Via Teasers|last=Monroe|first=Jazz|website=Pitchfork|date=July 25, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}} Fans would also receive postcards delivered to them with a tracklist and phone number.{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2231124/armand-hammer-tease-new-album-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-feat-soul-glo-pink-siifu-moor-mother-more/news/|title=Armand Hammer Tease New Album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Feat. Soul Glo's Pierce Jordan, Pink Siifu, Moor Mother, More|last=Brodsky|first=Rachel|website=Stereogum|date=July 24, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}} The duo announced the album on August 2. A session with jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings, producer/keyboardist Child Actor, engineer Willie Green and Elucid helped set up the foundation of the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/08/02/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-trauma-mic-pink-siifu|title=Armand Hammer announce new album with lead single "Trauma Mic"|last=Lejarde|first=Arielle Lana|website=The Fader|date=August 2, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/26/arts/music/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips.html|title=Armand Hammer Keeps a Foot in the Past, but Its Eyes on the Future|last=Moore|first=Marcus J.|website=The New York Times|date=September 26, 2023|access-date=October 1, 2023}} The latter described the recording process as an assembly of talented rappers meeting for the first time in the studio to jam "to pre-recorded beats before splintering off into new directions". The opportunity to watch them drift off into their own "sonic worlds" was a clear "magical moment" for him.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/08/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips/|title=Armand Hammer Announce New Album We Buy Diabetic Test Strips, 2023-2024 Tour Dates|last=Vito|first=Jo|website=Consequence|date=August 2, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}}

The album was preceded with three singles: "Trauma Mic" featuring Pink Siifu, released on August 2,{{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew |title=Armand Hammer share "Trauma Mic" ft. Pink Siifu, announce tour |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/armand-hammer-share-trauma-mic-ft-pink-siifu-announce-tour/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lana LeJarde |first=Arielle |date=August 2, 2023 |title=Armand Hammer announce new album with lead single "Trauma Mic" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/08/02/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-trauma-mic-pink-siifu |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The FADER |language=en}} "Woke Up and Asked Siri How I'm Gonna Die" featuring JPEGMafia, released on August 29,{{Cite web |last=Damara Kelly |first=Tyler |date=29 August 2023 |title=Armand Hammer releases JPEGMAFIA-produced single, "Woke Up and Asked Siri How I'm Gonna Die" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/armand-hammer-releases-jpegmafia-produced-single-woke-up-and-asked-siri-how-im-gonna-die |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=McMullen |first=Chase |date=2023-08-31 |title=Armand Hammer share the isolated beauty of "Woke Up and Asked Siri How I'm Gonna Die", produced by JPEGMAFIA |url=https://beatsperminute.com/armand-hammer-share-the-isolated-beauty-of-woke-up-and-asked-siri-how-im-gonna-die-produced-by-jpegmafia/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Beats Per Minute |language=en-US}} and "The Gods Must Be Crazy", featuring El-P, released three days before the album's release.{{Cite web |last=Horvath |first=Zachary |date=2023-09-26 |title=Armand Hammer Thinks "The Gods Must Be Crazy" On El-P Produced Track |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/717830-armand-hammer-the-gods-must-be-crazy-single |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Carys |date=2023-09-26 |title=Armand Hammer Share New Song "The Gods Must Be Crazy," Produced by El-P |url=https://consequence.net/2023/09/armand-hammer-gods-must-be-crazy-el-p-stream/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}

The duo embarked on the We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Tour in support of the album, starting on October 1, 2023 in Kingston and concluding on February 24, 2024 in Atlanta.

On February 27, 2024, an updated version of the album was released, which featured a bonus track, "Doves" featuring Benjamin Booker, and removed Junglepussy's verses from "Y'all Can't Stand Right Here" and "Empire BLVD" for unknown reasons.{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2024-02-27 |title=Armand Hammer Share Video for New Song "Doves" Featuring Benjamin Booker |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/armand-hammer-share-video-for-new-song-doves-featuring-benjamin-booker-watch/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=2024-02-27 |title=Armand Hammer Team Up With Benjamin Booker On New Song "Doves": Listen |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2253387/armand-hammer-doves-feat-benjamin-booker/music/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Small |first=TeeJay |date=2024-03-19 |title=Why Did Armand Hammer Remove Junglepussy from "We Buy Diabetic Test Strips"? |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/775569-armand-hammer-junglepussy-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-controversy-hip-hop-news |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 87/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/we-buy-diabetic-test-strips/armand-hammer|title=We Buy Diabetic Test Strips by Armand Hammer Reviews and Tracks|website=Metacritic|access-date=October 1, 2023}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-mw0004058477|title=Armand Hammer -We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Album Reviews, Songs & More|website=AllMusic|last=Simpson|first=Paul|date=September 29, 2023|access-date=February 5, 2024}}

| rev2 = Beats Per Minute

| rev2score = 92%{{Cite web |last=Wohlmacher |first=John |date=2023-10-03 |title=Album Review: Armand Hammer – We Buy Diabetic Test Strips |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Beats Per Minute |language=en-US}}

| rev3 = HipHopDX

| rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Anthony |date=2023-10-16 |title=Armand Hammer 'We Buy Diabetic Test Strips' Tries To Make Sense Of Our World After Covid |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-album-review |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4score = 9/10{{Cite web |title=Armand Hammer's 'We Buy Diabetic Test Strips' Is Conspiratorial and Commanding|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/armand_hammer_we_buy_diabetic_test_strips_album_review |access-date=2024-02-11 |website= Exclaim! |language=en}}

| rev5 = The Line of Best Fit

| rev5score = 8/10{{Cite web |title=Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Review - beguiling and impressive {{!}} Rap |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-craft-most-beguiling-work-yet |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}

| rev6 = Mojo

| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|title=Armand Hammer – We Buy Diabetic Test Strips|magazine=Mojo|page=93|date=November 2023}}

| rev7 = The Observer

| rev7score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite news |last=Empire |first=Kitty |date=2023-10-01 |title=Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips review – an exceptional record |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/01/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-review-billy-woods-elucid-an-exceptional-record-segal-elp-dj-haram-jpegmania-shabaka-hutchings-pink-siifu |access-date=2024-02-11 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 8.1/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips/|title=Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Album Review|website=Pitchfork|last=Ruiz|first=Matthew Ismael|date=October 3, 2023|access-date=October 4, 2023}}

| rev9 = PopMatters

| rev9score = 8/10{{Cite web |date=2023-10-09 |title=Abstract Hip-Hop Duo Armand Hammer Return With Superb New LP |url=https://www.popmatters.com/armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}}

| rev10 = The Quietus

| rev10score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web |title=The Quietus {{!}} Reviews {{!}} Armand Hammer |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/33439-armand-hammer-we-buy-diabetic-test-strips-review |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=The Quietus |language=en-us}}

}}

We Buy Diabetic Test Strips received a score of 87 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on twelve critics' reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Mojo stated that "ultimately, it's Woods and Elucid who provide the intense, erudite, funny through-line", while Uncut opined that "the music reflects this stark, witty chronicle of precarious modern living with a queasy tableau of churning beats, one minute harsh and industrial, the next lush and dreamy".{{cite magazine |date=November 2023 |title=Armand Hammer – We Buy Diabetic Test Strips |magazine=Uncut |page=25}} Pitchfork{{'}}s Matthew Ismael Ruiz called it a "success—it can feel like being tugged by dozens of different hands yet still being pulled forward" as well as "moody, unsettling, sharply observed album balancing moments of self-reflection with vivid snapshots of societal dysfunction".

Concluding the review of the album for AllMusic, Paul Simpson claimed that, "We Buy Diabetic Test Strips feels like a step forward from a duo whose discography has been consistently innovative from the start."

{{Track listing

| headline = We Buy Diabetic Test Strips track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Landlines

| writer1 = {{hlist|Elucid|Billy Woods}}

| extra1 = JPEGMafia

| length1 = 2:58

| title2 = Woke Up and Asked Siri How I'm Gonna Die

| note2 = featuring JPEGMafia

| writer2 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|JPEGMafia}}

| extra2 = JPEGMafia

| length2 = 2:41

| title3 = The Flexible Unreliability of Time & Memory

| writer3 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Child Actor}}

| extra3 = Child Actor

| length3 = 3:21

| title4 = When It Doesn't Start with a Kiss

| writer4 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|JPEGMafia|Pudge}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|JPEGMafia|Pudge}}

| length4 = 3:23

| title5 = I Keep a Mirror in My Pocket

| note5 = featuring Cavalier

| writer5 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Cavalier|Preservation}}

| extra5 = Preservation

| length5 = 3:43

| title6 = Trauma Mic

| note6 = featuring Pink Siifu

| writer6 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|DJ Haram|Pink Siifu}}

| extra6 = DJ Haram

| length6 = 2:34

| title7 = Niggardly (Blocked Call)

| writer7 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|August Fanon}}

| extra7 = August Fanon

| length7 = 4:01

| title8 = The Gods Must Be Crazy

| note8 = featuring El-P

| writer8 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Jaime Meline}}

| extra8 = El-P

| length8 = 3:00

| title9 = Y'all Can't Stand Right Here

| note9 = featuring Money Nicca

| writer9 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Steel Tipped Dove}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Messiah Musik|Steel Tipped Dove}}

| length9 = 2:31

| title10 = Total Recall

| writer10 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Kenny Segal}}

| extra10 = Kenny Segal

| length10 = 4:21

| title11 = Empire BLVD

| note11 = featuring Curly Castro

| writer11 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Curly Castro|Green}}

| extra11 = Green

| length11 = 3:19

| title12 = Don't Lose Your Job

| note12 = featuring Pink Siifu and Moor Mother

| writer12 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Black Noi$e|Jeff Markey|Moor Mother}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Black Noise|Jeff Markey}}

| length12 = 4:25

| title13 = Supermooned

| note13 = featuring DJ Haram

| writer13 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|DJ Haram}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|DJ Haram|Elucid}}

| length13 = 2:54

| title14 = Switchboard

| writer14 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Sebb Bash}}

| extra14 = Sebb Bash

| length14 = 4:02

| title15 = The Key Is Under the Mat

| writer15 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|JPEGMafia}}

| extra15 = JPEGMafia

| title16 = Doves

| note16 = featuring Benjamin Booker

| length16 = 8:56

| writer16 = {{hlist|Elucid|Woods|Segal|Benjamin Booker}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Benjamin Booker|Segal}}

| note15 = featuring JPEGMafia

| length15 = 4:13

| total_length = 61:57

}}

{{reflist}}

{{notelist}}

{{Armand Hammer}}

Category:2023 albums

Category:Armand Hammer (music group) albums

Category:Albums produced by El-P

Category:Albums produced by JPEGMafia

Category:Albums produced by Kenny Segal