Okay, DAMN. has its moments. Tracks like "DNA." and "HUMBLE." are straight-up hits and the storytelling on "FEAR." is deep. But man, after To Pimp a Butterfly, this feels kinda underwhelming. It's all over the place, and some of the songs sound like he was trying a bit too hard for the radio. Solid, but you expect more from Kendrick, so a 60 seems fair
A film-like album that paints a vivid and unflinching picture of growing up surrounded by temptation and violence in Compton. Lamar's storytelling is masterful, and the production captures that West Coast sound perfectly. While it has some incredible highs, the momentum dips a little in the back half, and some of the high-concept writing can feel heavy-handed when you're not fully in the zone. An undeniable classic for some, but a bit of a long and dense listen that doesn't click ... read more
J. Cole’s long-awaited and supposedly final album is a solid, intelligent project, but it doesn’t feel as sharp as its best moments promise. The ambitious double-disc concept—which compares his mindset at 29 to his current perspective at 39—is clever on paper and shows real growth. Songs like "SAFETY" use voicemail chains to create a devastatingly real portrait of home with impressive restraint.
However, the energy and raw focus seem to dip on the second half. ... read more