Still living with the album but what I can say is that it's very strong. It's not the single heavy album I thought it would be after Humble dropped but there are definitely radio singles here to last through the summer. But this is a very chaotic, DARK album. There are spots of brightness and fun like Loyalty but overall it feels like the creative work of someone who is battling demons and remains depressed. There was a message of perseverance on TPAB, of overcoming. "We gon be alright." But the view here is far more dim, and apocalyptic. Not only is it not going to be alright, we're damned. But the least we can do is make the most of our time on earth.
Four albums in and it's clear Kendrick has a knack not just for cohesive well thought out albums but also standout, seminal tracks. Keisha's Song, Sing About Me, Alright, and How Much A Dollar Cost come to mind. You can add Fear and Duckworth to that list. I knew Alchemist and 9th would bring it but I didn't expect THIS. Fear is hypnotic and terrifying. Duckworth is another master class from Kendrick on how to tell a story.
I'm not going to compare this album to others. It hasn't even been out for a weekend yet. But I feel that this might be his strongest album lyrically, and perhaps the most concise. The abstract lyricism is still there but it's going to be hard to hurl "he's not saying anything" troll criticisms at this project.
Production wise he once again picks the perfect tracks. The trap beats don't feel out of place, and the more experimental shyt compliments his vision. And he's got bangers again. Loyalty is going to be everywhere soon. DNA is blowing up. Love blows my mind.
This nikka Duckworth got my game all fukked up
