The loudness and abrasive sometimes do go a bit far and kinda detract but it also is what makes it so unique and interesting to listen to. Rapping is great while way through, entertaining and thoughtful. Get money.

Imagine these beats with somebody who actually tries.

Find some shit to actually talk about in some new ways. Production great.

aoty

goat shit

Not a bad song on here, but loyalty, love, and god just don’t feel like they’re on the same level as anything else on the album. They’re fine, but take them off and this album stands next to anything in his catalogue.

Fun listen, but not groundbreaking. I’ve listened a couple times now, and I think there is a lot of cool stuff that unfortunately feels a little too minimal to latch onto, but maybe it will age nice and I’ll change my mind. Utility > Pompeii
Pompeii = 75
Utility = 79

Very, very few people could make an album like this, and even fewer could make it this good.

A great sample platter of Kendrick’s career. It had every type of Kendrick you’d want in a concise and well sequenced track list. Title track is the only thing not up to snuff. Really good.

It just isn't finished, and there's still AI, but it's got some solid frameworks that could make for a strong album. BUT, it's just a rough draft at the moment overall. There is still some juice here but he's gotta fucking finish a goddamn album.

Solid return, good music, but nothing groundbreaking. Production is fresh and asap is still really creative. Hope this isn’t his last.

Solid throughout with some weak points. It isn't exceptional most of the time, but still very good. It’s probably J Cole’s best, or in the conversation. I wish he had dug a bit deeper and shortened the track list to be more concise. Regardless, some of his best work is within this. 39>29

No skips.

This dude commands attention with lyrics that are always interesting enough to seek understanding. This was supposed to be his last at one point, and this has the heft of a retirement album that hits nearly every shot it shoots.

Nas has set a standard for himself, and he kinda never dips below that. DJ Premier has some great beats on here, but also some that don't hit the mark for me. A fun collab in the making forever left with some gems, but nothing that really breaks through to exceptional.