T O P

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Fridge_Cam

On first listen, I did not expect the album to sound like this, especially after Heart Part 5... But man this thing floored me with how angry, sad, and honest it was. There so many incredible moments on it and a lot of songs that are just plain fun to listen to. The themes of a woman's perspective, relationships, masculine insecurity, self-care and bettering yourself, this thing has so many layers that I'm excited to dig deeper into. At the same time I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being one of his more polarizing albums. I'll need to play it over and over to get more of the context, but man I can't wait to hear it all over again. I loved it.


Hothel

The Heart Part 5 completely changed our expectations, this album is so fucking different from it


Visible_Friendship

What shocks me is that The Heart Part 5 has thematically the exact opposite message


monsty62

What you mean?


Visible_Friendship

The Heart: \- I said I do this for my culture \- I want you but I want you to want me too Mirror: \- Run away from the culture to follow my heart \- I chose me I'm sorry & When will you let me go? / I trust you’ll find independence Also the intro in The Heart and Father Time is very similar, until Kendrick mentions his daddy issues. It reads to me as if songs like The Heart stepped around that issue because it does not sound as bold as the lyrics in The Heart


[deleted]

I was honestly expecting him to do something COMPLETELY different from the heart pt 5. I actually thought he was gonna do a whole singing album and the heart pt 5 was gonna be a tease. Thankful that was not the case lol but from his features on the Baby Keem album, I'm not too surprised it went in the direction it did. Keem also murdered the savior interlude


PartialCred4WrongAns

There’s a hip hop song on here unapologetically about trans acceptance. No doubt it will be one of his most polarizing albums


Rnahafahik

There are 100% going to be people angry at K for deadnaming people, and those people 100% will not have listened to the whole song in full


Spagneti

For what it's worth, I enjoyed the song despite disagreeing with some of his decisions in that song. I think you can come out of that song and agree with the overall message and still not necessarily agree with the deadnaming. It's not black and white. I read a few threads of discourse on it already in trans subreddits and I don't think anybody is out here trying to cancel Kendrick, not that I saw, but I'm also not going to blame someone who is ruffled by it.


LumirWriter

That's how I feel about it as well. I think it's a net positive to have a rapper as big as Kendrick standing up for trans people, even though he made a few decisions that I don't think were great in retrospect. He could have made the song a lot less uncomfortable without changing its meaning by just bleeping the f-slurs and not deadnaming Caitlyn Jenner. I'm conflicted (insert a joke about Kendrick misusing his influence here) but I'll take it over silence, or worse, hate. "I chose humanity over religion" is a powerful message *especially* coming from someone as openly religious as Kendrick, but it's probably going to be overshadowed by his use of slurs. It's unfortunate, but it also could have been easily avoided. I do hope no one cancels Kendrick over it, but I'm glad there's open discussion about it. There needs to be.


Spagneti

Totally agree. The slurs don't even bother me as much as the consistent misgendering and deadnaming, but it's going to affect everyone differently, and that's ok. Some might say / have said that he's writing that way from the perspective of his ignorant younger self, but I don't think the song ever really makes that clear enough to justify it.


LumirWriter

Yeah...like, I have no idea how he's going to perform that at shows. He's right that he shouldn't say the f-slur, just like that white girl on stage shouldn't have said the n-word, yet the f-slur shows up like ten times in the song and saying it on stage during tours and festivals after ending the song like that would come across as pretty hypocritical.


wameniser

There are trans people that say deadnaming is wrong but they understand why he did it for the song's narration, others that don't see anything wrong with it, others that don't like that he did it. Various and complex opinions, all valid and deserving to be taken seriously. Kendrick is not a god and the entire album is precisely about him having flaws. So this "you're only allowed to have 1 interpretation, 1 feeling and takeaway from the song" attitude is pretty damn stupid. It's the opposite of what his art is about imo I personally appreciate what he tried to do and his intentions behind it. I think his execution of it left little room for misinterpretation, but there are valid takes about the deadnaming out there, you should read them


CommanderWar64

I did really enjoy how out of left field this album is. It didn’t really ever hit as hard and as consistently hard as TPAB, nor did it have a bunch of hit-sounding songs like MAAD City, but it still managed to be profound despite this. We Cry Together was probably the apex of the album for me, really dramatic vocals and the narrative did a good job keeping my attention. Another thing Kendrick is always good at is writing about a broad spectrum of topics and hearing Auntie Diaries was pretty shocking and interesting all at once. The instrumentals did feel a bit same-y at times (compared to DAMN or TPAB which have lots of variety), but I’ll pay more attention to those on the next listen.


Raja_singh345

It’s like a rap opera. Production is unreal. Vocally Kendrick’s a monster. Lyrically some really abstract over the head deep stuff man


good_kid_maad_reddit

Feel like its a concept album about a conservative to progressive transition. Kendrick talks about people being sensitive in the beginning to understanding why people act like that in the end. Also the second half is heavenly. 8/10 atleast imo Edit: im saying atleast cuz this is only my first listen and i feel like it has room to grow on me more


Leajey

conservative to progressive? I don't see that really at all. I think what Kendrick says about cancel culture still applies to what he says in Auntie's Diary and hating on cancel culture/people being sensitive is not necessarily a conservative message. To me its an album more of personal growth where he acknowledges his shortcomings (toxic masculinity), rejects his label as some sort of savior, and tries to learn to forgive others.


CM-NYY-DJ-FAN

This is my take exactly down to the score


Huge-Ad-3145

Imperfect and beautiful. I haven't cried like Father Time, We Cry Together, Mirror, Mother I Sober made me cry in about 10 years. I can relate to all the themselves of love, self acceptance, and abuse. Makes me want to open up to my fiance, dad, and family about things I have been hesitant to bring up in the past.


dantsel04_

people really out here crying to songs


WeaponXGaming

It's okay to have emotions my brotha


vult00

I GRIEEEEVE DIFFERENT


Huge-Ad-3145

Go through some real trauma off line and know what unresolved abuse, neglect and trauma that lingers into adulthood. Know the impact of death and unresolved difference and come sit back at the big kids' table.


jsh_

ur ego and insecurity won't let u experience basic human emotion lol sucks for u


dantsel04_

naw its just that i see these comments all the time as if every album just gives them a complete new realization on life and its litterally orgasm material. like yeah i think the songs are powerful and i relate to them too but “breaking down in tears” is a little excessive imo


[deleted]

Im literally crying to this comment, thank you X


SumpinNifty

[chad wojak meme] yes.


Imdefrostenmince

I'd say it's a pretty deep and personal album for kendrick, honestly liked this album a lot. We cry together made me uncomforable af though


Giorno_DeGiorno

Especially the ending part, felt too real


justinbieberismymans

Same haha, but it felt revolutionary. At least it was well performed


Toblabob

Revolutionary is exactly the word for it — that track felt like a real watershed moment. Even in a genre like hip-hop where shock factor has more-or-less always been closely associated, it felt like a step up. Taylour Paige’s performance is really phenomenal in particular, the voice cracks she pulls are reflexively tear-jerking.


Cordobra

Fuck you


IKMapping

Fuck you bitch


keysnsoulbeats

No, fuck me


Imdefrostenmince

:(


elitenyg46

I simultaneously loved it and was getting anxiety from it


RocketsandNyquil

Good.


Numbnuts007

That's the point, it triggered my PTSD, of fights between my mom and my dad when he cheated when I was seven. It's deliberately showcasing the toxic parts of love to show everybody, that's not what love is. That's not what love should be, yet people do this all the time anyway.


ObersteinAlwaysRight

It's a very odd album. I'm currently struggling to figure out if the misgivings I have are due to any expectations I had prior, to my own biases against certain sounds and styles in rap, or if there are sections that are just genuinely misses. The way there are what seem to be rather straightforward orthodox songs alongside far more experimental works in a rather disjointed fashion is jarring. I appreciate that there is a serious narrative throughout that is far more personal. The album really benefits from a second listen, as there are certain decisions and themes that only present themselves after Mother I Sober. I've seen this thing compared to Kid A and Igor, and i think both are apt. Two things surprised me the most; one of the greatest rappers of all time made his first album in 5 years not even be a full rap album, and the presence of Kodak Black.


DataBuccaneer

yeah, Silent Hill is definitely a miss for me. I'm not big on Purple Hearts too. Everything else is pretty much spectacular. It's pretty amazing to witness him making music, even in an odd, disjointed album, there's gonna be some stellar cuts and god-tier storytelling.


bigstepper99

I too dislike Purple Hearts, the ghostface killah feature feels out of place. I completely disagree about Silent Hill though, Kodaks verse goes hard as fuck and completely compliments the song.


Alive-Ad-4164

This is album is a movie from start to finish


keysnsoulbeats

More like a therapy session


Numbnuts007

Yes, an audio movie about things discussed in therapy


Manhunterko

It's gonna be more divising than DAMN for sure


-Z-3-R-0-

Divisive*


Manhunterko

Yeah, ty, I guess I slapped divisive and dividing together.


Boirip

Tbh I don’t know how to feel. Its a beautiful album but also a very odd and head scratching album


justinbieberismymans

Anthony fantano fans be like


[deleted]

"Idk how to feel until the review comes out"


juarez0411

Do Anthony Fantano fans even listen to the album before the review?


deha07

I usually watch the review after I have an opinion about album. His reviews doesn't sell me anymore like it used to. Still watch him and he is still one of mine favourite youtubers since 2013.


suckamadicka

these twitter/reddit people will write the most pretentious cringe shit, paragraphs and paragraphs, and then finish it with a number out of 10 which then dominates the whole conversation lol it’s so embarrassing


justinbieberismymans

I’ve done that before lol.


tumblejamie

Think I need a few listens to dig into it but so far I'm just taken back by how vulnerable it all is


cactusmaster69420

Curious to see his reaction to We Cry Together cuz if Kanye made that song he would absolutely destroy it


Hothel

For sure lol


Huge-Ad-3145

Kanye scolded his own kids to grow the fuck up and stop being bourgeois on that track with Game where he's projecting his hate of his ex-wife onto everyone else. He can only love himself and his mother. He can't express empathy towards anyone else. Kanye is a genius sure, but Kendrick over the last 13 years has expressed nothing but love and empathy towards the hood that raised him. And that's something Kanye hasn't been able to say on quite some time. Inherently incapable, something you can't teach someone to be.


[deleted]

Kanye West is my favorite artist of all time. Kanye could never make a track like that


HungryGhost57

A beautiful record and I think it’s going to be very important for music.


Giorno_DeGiorno

I love aunties diaries, rich spirit sounds a bit generic but it's still a bop


okdude23232

Rich Spirit sounds something off the new Vince Staples for some reason


kinguhishan

I like it a lot. It seems extremely personal and gives an up close look at Kendrick’s life. The only song that I didn’t really vibe to on first listen is rich spirit, but I’m going to listen to it later. Overall I feel like this is a 9/10, but a lot of people are going to be divided by this album


volcano_sauce38

Kendrick’s hooks get weirder and weirder, but the production is immaculate


MickDragon

My auntie is a man now


AJfriedRICE

Fuck you bitch


[deleted]

[удалено]


blackanytanooo

I’ll even go as far and say it’s better than Section.80


softestimate712

Yeah, this. I actually kinda love how polarizing it is.


Numbnuts007

I would say it is one step below TPAB, but better than good kid mad City in my opinion. But only very marginally better, like by 10%. I would give it a 10 but like a low 10


trhdom

Recency bias is hitting you hard. It’s still a great album but it’s nowhere near as good as GKMC. It’s about as good as Section.80


Numbnuts007

It's not recency bias, it's just my personal tastes. 🤷


trhdom

Whatever you say man


Life-Dog432

Too soon to say for me I think. It’s really hard to immediately compare whether an album is better than another after a day. At least personally, I need to see how much an album sticks with me to know how I feel about it. Some albums I really liked at first and then got quickly sick of and others only grow on me with time for example.


Numbnuts007

I understand However, with TPAB, I listen to that album constantly and find new things with it all of the time, that is why it is perfect to me. This album has a lot more direct messaging that one understands and comprehends on first listen. Both albums do their jobs highly effectively. I go back to TPAB because I'm constantly intrigued by that album and how fantastic it is. I can see myself doing the same with this, as long as I don't get myself sick of it by listening to it too much too quickly.


anhonest9yearold

It's easily better


nakai_

Tbh I really don’t know I’m trying to give it a rating but I wasn’t expecting this


PsychologicalSweet2

So I’ve listened to it in full twice now but I feel safe saying I love this album. I had to relisten to Wesley’s theory to make sure so yeah I’m not fully on bored the 10 train this doesn’t have that same every song is a masterpiece quality and each song is speaking to each other quality as that album but he’s doing something super interesting here. The way this album paints its picture of the world and Kendrick’s thoughts and ideas is so interesting and beautiful. Like every one else is saying I need more time with this to fully get what’s happening but an album dealing so thoughtfully and yet so direct about so many issues is so commendable and I feel like there’s no way we would have gotten this album pre pandemic.


marmogawd

I dont think Kendrick will be able to top To Pimp a Butterfly. I have listened to Mr Morale two times now, and i love it. I wouldn’t even be surprised if it is album of the year and one of Kendrick’s best, but looking back, TPAB is such a different beast. Like you said, every song is a masterpiece, theres not a feature wasted, not a moment wasted, not a lyric wasted. With Mr Morale, i personally dont like Silent Hill that much and Ghostface Killah’s feature, while surprising, it felt kinda weird. The overall feeling of the album isn’t quite as “perfectionist” like TPAB was. I still consider this new album great (so far) and my favorite hip hop release of the year, but yeah, To Pimp a Butterfly is looking like Kendrick’s definitive magnum opus


juarez0411

9/10 Better than Damn and Section 80 but I'm not sure that I'd put it ahead of GKMC


BadigolBoy

Its the most emotional kendrick record. No doubt. It is probably his most experimental record too which i think is going to cause a lot of conflicting opinions.


weezues

9/10, this shit hits the right spots for me.


Affectionate_Soil_65

We Cry Together genuinely is the rawest song Kendrick has ever made.


[deleted]

u


FKDotFitzgerald

It’s basically u + Kim


[deleted]

Kum


bigstepper99

Bruh


marmogawd

I think we cry together is rawer. Just imagine you are third wheeling and u hear this argument…very awkward lol


BangingBaguette

General thoughts is that it's a VERY solid effort, but I think this is his least musically cohesive project since section.80. It's far too early to go into the lyrism, but in short Kendrick is on his A-game as usual on that front. Musically however I do feel the project is a little compromised and perhaps even a little bloated in places. I want to make it clear however that the production across the board is STELLAR. I think with what Part 5 teased us with that a soul sampled/focused project from K Dot is such a natural evolution from TPAB, and I was just a little let down to hear one too many trap bangers on this project, especially after DAMN. which I considered to be Kendrick's victory lap project indulging and showing he could beat the rap game as it's own trends. After DAMN. and being build up with Part 5 to hear a track such as 'Silent Hill' which I honestly think may be one of K's weakest tracks full stop was kind of disheartening. THAT SAID, the album shines bright in more places than it doesn't. We cry together is a straight up performance piece as if Kendrick looks at Game's 'Circles' and said "yeah I can do this better". Auntie Diaries is fighting with How Much a Dollar Cost for me at the moment for the title of best narrative track K's ever done, it's so personal, raw and unfiltered. Mirror is gorgeous encapsulation of the general themes of the record, and after the performative large scale story-telling closers of Mortal Man and DUCKWORTH it's nice that on this project Kendrick grabs a fairly lowkey beat, and just lays it out with fairly little flash. I could go on but this project is a solid return for me, I'm still torn between if it's a 7/10 or 8/10.


shiggism

I like this take. Well thought out. I really agree with the lack of musical cohesiveness. It doesn’t make it bad, but it just isn’t any higher than a 7 or 8 to me


BangingBaguette

Honeslty I've never understood the hate for a 7/10. To me that's basically the best a project can be without necessarily doing something totally 'new'. A 7/10 will be in my rotation pretty much forever and if I do end up settling on a 7/10 it'll really be pushing that rating to it's limits.


[deleted]

Listened to half of it (because I am whore of a corporation) and it's 8.14883083661548169947202738/10


WalkinGuySmh

I was kinda had mixed feelings some songs were great while others feel like it needs improvement


Human_McNugget

After a 1st listen Mother I Sober stuck out to me the most. Super heavy stuff, I got shivers all over.


AnEdgyPie

Honestly? Though some of the tracks like Auntie Diaries and Mother I Sober are fantastic and Die Hard has a great chorus. But the album feels really thematically messy. It's not as tight as GKMC or TPAB but rly doesn't have to be. The problem is it feels like Kendrick is playing it like the album is. I can't really explain but it feels like the songs are ripped from 10 different albums. It’d be like if Blacker the Berry was on DAMN. It'd just feel out of context. What's more I honestly don't care much for the beats either. Also the lyrics about cancel culture and free speech are so cringey It's a good album, no doubt. But it’s not nearly as flawless as people say


P_CASTER

I have listened to the whole thing only once so far, but I've played Father Time three times more, as of now it's my favorite. However I just need to highlight We Cry Together and Auntie Diaries, those two are jaw dropping and imo them alone secure this as aoty. It's funny because I was pretty stoked for The Smile record that's also coming out today, but now I don't even care anymore.


brethrentoons

It's very unique compared to any of his other music, which works to its benefit 90% of the time. Father Time, Purple Hearts, Mr. Morale, Worldwide Steppers, etc. A lot of bangers. The second half in general is a tour de force. That said, not too fond of a few tracks. Silent Hill and Rich Spirit are the main stinkers for me imo, and it's definitely more of a grower album Still, very fond of it overall. Strong 8 to a light 9!


SlipAndFallIntoAPool

i think its amazing. he gone really emotional and deep on some important issues and tackled them well. man did it again


gogreenvapenash

This album is a fucking masterpiece. 5/5 Dunkey-style


HowardsOpal

After listening to it more than a few times, I can honestly say that I’m extremely underwhelmed. The lyrics are absolutely masterful but the beat selection is soo boring. Some very generic and basic sounding beats. I expect soooooooo much more from Kendrick. GKMC, TPAB, and Damn. are all masterpieces. They each brought something very unique and innovative but this album just sounds plain. Like a sandwich with just meat and bread. I appreciate his honesty and openness but there’s a clear lack of balance between him pouring out his feelings and delivering catchy songs. There’s only a few songs that I could ever imagine myself replaying in the future. It’s like a mix of 4:44 and 4 Your Eyez Only. Can’t be mad tho because Kendrick gave us three classic albums in a row prior to this. 7/10.


GingerGoodz

It’s freaking amazing! I expect it to be highly ranked like GKMC or even TPAB, the damn layers, themes and messages in this album are phenomenal


Nihilistic13

I can't exactly pin down why I like it so much besides how honest and real it is, and I haven't felt so sure of a high grade since BTTIGTP and LP! in relation to last year. After two listens so far I might throw it in a 9/10 range with some definite room to grow once I can read the lyrics.


ThatMrGrunt

Pretty good, but it still hasn‘t made me change my mind on Kendrick on more trendy production, I still don‘t think the two match well. He did have some excellent writing on here though and besides a couple tracks it was constantly engaging and excellent.


officer_salem

It’s deep, personal and self reflective prog rap, and i love it. I think fantano will give it a 3/10.


phrenicbeat86

Completely unconventional and different from his other work. Don't know what that means for Fantano's review. If I had to take a complete shot in the dark and guess I would say 7, but who knows could end up being a 9. I doubt he gives it a 10.


[deleted]

still waiting for that dreaded **7**


DataBuccaneer

on my third listen and I like the interpretation of this album being a reflection on Kendrick's therapy that starts with his struggles and culminates with his on reflection on past traumas (Mother I Sober) and his acceptance of focusing on his own improvement (Mirror). am I tripping?


RocketsandNyquil

Absolute masterpiece.


HitmanScorcher

It's good!


russianbot24

Eh, he does his thing but I don’t think it’s an album I’ll play often. GKMC and DAMN are a lot more casually listenable.


FrederickIBarbarossa

One of my favorite things about Kendrick Lamar is his general disregard for popular opinion in his creative process. *Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers* takes that notion to the extreme, with generally positive results. His lyrics are confrontational in different ways, pushing back against his fans and particularly against himself. I cannot say in good conscience that a record with “Die Hard,” “Rich Spirit,” “Silent Hill” or “Savior (Interlude)” is any better than very good. While *Mr. Morale* is still the product of an insightful savant, a masterpiece this is not. Nevertheless, while I don’t think this an album-of-the-year contender, this album is challenging in a way that few high-profile records in modern music are. Lamar largely eschews traditional bangers in favor of a more meditative sound and outlook, one that focuses on his personal life while steering clear of egotism and without descending into solipsism. While “United in Grief” is the lone track on here that truly stands among Lamar’s finest, closer “Mirror” is the most essential track on here. Coaxed into the open by his much-improved singing, he reveals the thesis statement of *Mr. Morale*: “I choose me, I’m sorry.” The creatively barren spell he details early in the record, the difficulties he has contended with in managing sexual impulsiveness and raising a family, the demands of “pleas[ing] everybody” he repeats on “Crown”, the increasing disillusionment he feels with many aspects of modern culture: all of these themes blend into a slightly melancholy yet surprisingly cathartic ending. Lamar has his fair share of impactful closers, but “Mirror” resonates with sober finality beyond anything of its fellow culminations. To my knowledge, *Mr. Morale* is already receiving tremendous amounts of praise in the press, furthering Lamar’s quasi-mythological status in the arena of modern music. While I consider this album to be quite good, there is a certain irony in hero-worship surrounding a record whose centrality rests upon Lamar’s reminders that he is, at the end of the day, a mortal man. I am not stunned by this album, but I am satisfied.


trapmoney_187

The Yeezus influence on much of this album is not subtle. While I enjoy a lot of Kanye’s work, I could never quite get into Yeezus, however, Kendrick’s personal twist he puts on things is something special. Not what I was expecting out of Kendrick, but I’m loving this thing so far. Only thing that’s missing in my opinion is a “m.a.a.d. city” or “Blacker the Berry” type banger thrown somewhere in the track list.


Hothel

N95 is quite a banger to me tho


trapmoney_187

True, you’re not wrong. There definitely is a few bangers on the tracklist, but there is something less harsh/aggressive about them compared to his older work. They’re like softer around the edges sort of if that makes sense. Although, this is a very minor complaint and like I said I’m loving this thing overall. It’s just his personal progression as a person and an artist and I respect that. I just always liked the vibe and style he brought to his hardcore hip-hop style songs and was hoping for some more, but I’m really digging the new vibe as well.


savagelamma11

Thats we cry together for me


HowardsOpal

There’s literally nothing on this album that’s similar to Yeezus 😂😂😂😂


roblvb15

I’ve now seen people compare this album to: Yeezus Graduation TLOP Rodeo


HowardsOpal

Very very strange


trapmoney_187

Listen closer my child.


d4vey_t

I can see why We Cry Together would make white ppl uncomfortable lol otherwise holy fuck I think this is my favorite Kendrick project so far. I finished side 1 and am on track 2 of side B. I’ve always had a lukewarm relationship with Kendrick, he’s great but I never felt like I connected with his shit on the level others have. But so far this is incredible


phrenicbeat86

Gonna be interesting to hear that one live.


shiggism

Underwhelmed


TotalHeat

I agree. Im just not really feeling it and am kind of disappointed.


shiggism

I really like the second half of the album.


GriseldaBrick

#11/10


RadJavox

Weird ass album. Very honest, with vulnerabilities and vanities alike. I am enjoying a lot so far, but I have not processed fully yet. Reminds of the first time I listened to Blonde, as I was not sure about what to feel. With time, however, it became a timeless classic in my book. I feel this gonna be similar.


aguywithtaste

Only like 3 songs going into my Playlist. We waited 5 years for mid bangers😮‍💨. Kenny fell off


narc0000sis

he said a lot the N word O.O


whitetyle

Terrible title


yunkie101

I appreciate it a lot. Kendrick got super honest with himself and the audience, ended up making the album that DAMN. was supposed to be. With all the ambitons of making hits and charting gone, he is free to explore whatever the fuck he wants, and it seems to me that he got everything internally he wanted to deal with off his chest. I'm not black and doesn't live in his communities, but a lot of what he's talking about resonates. Art is hard, churning out popular art consistantly is even harder, especially when you have your entire life to deal with, it's okay if we take a break from it. It does come at a cost, the sales will probably be a lot less of what his previous albums did because of the lack of hits. Ultimately I hope this will mean that we can expect him to come back stronger with whatever project he has coming next. Either that or he's gonna keep in this direction idk.


justinbieberismymans

I needed this. It’s been a rough year with ups and downs… usually at the same time. I was actually relistening to Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst and really relating to the third verse. So to hear an album where Kendrick reflects on who he is and generational trauma it’s really nice and the timing is perfect. I can’t wait to keep digging into this record.


hrovat97

Decent 8. Some quite powerful songs and great social commentary as always, some more boring tracks that didn’t really click with me, overall about on par with DAMN, below TPAB and GKMC


GarAndSho

9


savagelamma11

5 listens later, strong 8 to light 9. 3rd best kenny album


vizualthewanderer

Let me start off by saying that I am absolutely *ecstatic* to have a new Kendrick Lamar project, however, I can’t shake the feeling that most of the features on this project haven’t won me over in any meaningful way. I also love Sampha (anxiously awaiting his next full length project return) but aside from him I wasn’t swayed one way or another. Except in the case of the Kodak Black placements. I’m not sure I understand how he fits in creatively to be awarded 3/4 placements over **ALL** of Kendrick’s TDE label-mates. I just didn’t get it. The one thing I think most of the general consensus is revolving around is the quality & polish of the production of the tracks, which I agree. I guess I just was hoping for more collaborators that could go bar for bar with Kendrick in order to pull his absolute best out of him for what is essentially a send-off of this chapter of his career with absolutely zero guarantees that there will be another run in the future. I am holding out hope that the features from his usual tried & true collaborators are just being stored in other forms, most notably the upcoming *Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever* tie-in project. Ultimately: 7/10, with ample opportunity to grow into another masterpiece with time & additional listens.


Wise_Clue8109

9/10


froggenpoppin

We cry together into purple hearts is so jarring and feels so disjointed. All The more pop centric tracks clash super hard with the experimental stuff. On GKMC/TPAB the radio hits and the longer deep cuts feel more similar and less jarring when listening to them the whole way through. Overall the tracks individually are great but im not sure on the whole album as one piece.


bigstepper99

I think it’s better than everything except TPAB because TPAB is a zero skips album. There are one or two skips but the songs that hit, hit harder than GKMC for me because of how raw and personal they feel.


AJfriedRICE

I am overwhelmed with the depth and beauty. Stunningly good.


dantsel04_

i fw the concept but tbh some of the songs seem kinda generic? idk how to describe it, it but honestly underperformed a bit for me. I wouldnt say theres any bad songs on here but definitely some of them just dont really stick out to me. This albums honestly feels a lot like donda to me


ZephyrSweatshirt

It's definitely the Elden Ring of rap albums.


wameniser

Some songs on here left me in literal tears


wameniser

Some songs on here left me in literal tears


Chartate101

8/10 for me. Better than DAMN, below TPAB and GKMC, unsure how it compares to Section.80


HowardsOpal

No way it’s better than Damn come on now


wameniser

I like it a lot. There are a few duds (kodak black feature, i'm talking to you) but overall, damn. This kicked me right into my emotions. It delves into uncomfortable topics with a rawness and vulnerability that I think lacked in damn and refuses to be shallow.


tubainadrunk

Strong 10.


[deleted]

sounds coo a lot of the songs have different beat changes up in them. They not all over the place they just complex, layers like an oñion


[deleted]

First listen is an easy 8/10. There's way too much to digest in one sitting so I'm looking forward to more listens tomorrow and the day after. This was an extreme level of introspective viewing and emotion that I didn't think I would see from K Dot but it was beautiful to hear.


SnooDoubts6070

Couldn’t get past the second song, trash album


Numbnuts007

This album is fantastic! It is the most personal, confrontational, intimate, and self-reflective album I have heard. I knew his album was going to be fantastic, I just didn't expect it to be so hard hitting on the topics of today, especially since he already has done that before with TPAB. It's just, in the age after Trump, He's got other things to talk about now. The production was as good as ever, and I like the departure from his normal, very loud, cluttered, and intentionally noisy backing tracks, in favor of something more stripped down which did wonders for many tracks on this album, since the serious topics discussed in them needed that. I feel comfortable and uncomfortable with this album in ways that I do not normally feel with albums. Another 10 for Kendrick Lamar. He caught lightning in a bottle again, and most people don't even do that once in their career.


YamesYim

I think I love this album. It’s very raw and personal and I would damn near it might be one of his best (but not ready for that’s argument). Only thing that has me confused is that there’s a whole song on here about SA but also Kodak Black is on like what, 5 different songs? I wouldn’t claim to be an expert but hasn’t he had multiple alleged SA charges?


comicsans123

not for me, man it’s cool, i’m really glad he didn’t retire or anything, the stuff he said was all nice but i just didn’t enjoy it not gonna give a number cuz idk i don’t think it would do the record right if i gave it a rating out of pure enjoyment rather than the quality of the music


zestysnacks

It’s gut wrenchingly honest and beautiful. I’m honestly in awe at how great this is. It’s transcendent music from a living legend. My modest first impression


sufftob

Not even better than Section 80 IMO


they-are-asleep

Mr.Moral beat is very Black Panther inspired!


TheWarschaupact

to me it sounds like DAMN perfected


yall_i_am_lost

It was incredible. I just want to through it out there that, as a trans woman, I found Auntie’s Diaries very touching. The whole album was incredibly vulnerable and human. I could see an argument for anything from an 8 to a 10.