Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
by Kendrick Lamar

Shortlisted for album of the year at the 2023 Grammys. The winner was Harry's House by Harry Styles

An excellent album. It is not quite as good as TBAB, but it deals with such complex themes in such lyrically creative and mesmerizing ways that it makes it a very worthy listen. The production meshes wonderfully and the guest vocalists and rappers help elevate the album.

Tracks 15 and 19 are stupendous, really exceptional storytelling that is even above Lamar's high standards. He is this generation's Tupac.

9/10!

I love Kendrick, and have always been a fan, but this album was middle of the pack for me. I don’t hate the album, and I think it is a decent record, but compared to his past works it left me underwhelmed, and it just wasn’t completely my vibe.

A very timely post-pandemic album that addresses mostly trauma and therapy in a consistently catchy, technical, and interesting way. Its a record for kendrick that reflects on his own failures, fame, fortune, faith, family and foundations of his music career, messages and morals as a entertainer more so than any of his previous albums, with very personal and touching moments throughout. The whole album felt like a intimate stage show and therapy session which makes this album standout in general not just hip hop but some songs felt like filler or sorta mild and didn't really leave a lasting impression on me personally but nothing bad or terrible. I did enjoy most of the album and recommend it to anybody who wants to hear a versatile, creative and thematic hip hop album.

Ambitious and personal.

Damn I guess this album really isnt for me. Gave it many chances to finally click but i just dont see the hype. TPAB and GKMC are some of my fav rap albums of all time, im not a Kendrick hater by any means but as time passes this albums really grows off me. Like I was so hyped for it, woke up at 6am just to heart it first and dont let anyone tell me if its good or not before I hear it and i was surprised by direction he was going for, but i thought there really is a lot of replay value. However i was wrong, i rate this album strong 5 to a light 6 out of 10.

Definitely better than the last album IMO but a few too many filler type songs or songs that sound too similar. We Cry Together is like For Free from TPAB, It hits hard the first couple times and the message is effective, but you'll probably be skipping it on future listens. Kendrick releasing a new album is still an event and worth checking out for sure. It ends on a high note!

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From AlvaroIesus 10/20/2022 19:39 | #290629

It's a good album, but it doesn't hit as hard as expected.

“Mr. Morale” lacks the cohesive sound of its predecessors. Without the G-funk or Jazz, it settles on a lower tempo mix of strings and samples. This quietness removes the record of any stand-out instrumentals. There are many memorable lyrics but I don’t know a beat would come to mind out of context. The languor of the instrumentals also negatively reflects on Kendrick’s voice. Without an inviting instrumental, an odd flow or bad delivery stands out a lot more. The best example of this is the chorus of “Purple Hearts” with its awkward conveyance of “Baby”.

The flaws are in a strange way of reinforcing the narrative theme. Therapy is a vulnerable and off-cuff state lacking in the smoothness of a planned expression. Kendrick’s lyrics are emotional and strange but endearing through this status. “Auntie Diaries” uses offensive language and dead naming but shows firsthand the environment he grew out from. “We cry together” is more of an ugly argument than a song, but its roughness is moving. I may not return to it often, but I’m glad to have listened to it.