GNX
by Kendrick Lamar

Shortlisted for album of the year at the 2026 Grammys. the winner was DeBi TiRAR MaS FOToS by Bad Bunny (Edited)

GNX is Kendrick’s most versatile album to date. While not as grand as To Pimp a Butterfly or good kid, m.A.A.d city, GNX is more similar to DAMN. in its overall structure and presentation. This similarities are seen in their mixes of melodic jams, trap bangers, and lyrical tracks. Unlike DAMN., however, GNX hits on even more fronts despite a shorter run time. For example, While the melodic songs on DAMN. (such as LOVE., YAH., and GOD.) leave much to be desired, GNX features incredible melodic songs like luther, gloria, and dodger blue. It also features infinitely replayable trap songs such as tv off and squabble up, and more lyrically focused tracks such as reincarnated and heart pt. 6. GNX features clever songwriting and witty commentary and refrains throughout making it one of the best rap albums of 2024. However, The title track has quickly become one of his worst songs to date, and it’s unpalatable “hook” is obnoxious and annoying. Furthermore, the song wacced out murals should have been much shorter, and the song dodger blue should have been much longer. dodger blue’s length particularly damages the albums structure, as the following interlude track peekaboo feels much less like an interlude as a result, even though I do enjoy peekaboo’s witty commentary on the industry. Despite these flaws, this is a great record that I think people will look back on fondly in the future. (Edited)

Honestly dissapointed for now. I like the rawness and back to basic of it, almost like if an art-rock artist realeased a garage rock record. Euphoria and Not like Us were great songs, and this album definitely feels like it tries to ride on the wave of the last one, but TV Off is the only song that gets close. (Edited)

From Cargusbralem 12/04/2024 21:02 | #306367

My two cents on this new Kendrick album: it feels like the stakes are much lower than almost any project since Section 80 (or untitled unmastered, if we're counting that one). This feeling might be related to the fact that it just came out of nowhere. That being said, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing, as not every artist needs to craft an ultra-cerebral concept to create enjoyable and even great music.

Such is the case for around half of the tracks here. It's almost as if the album it's alternating hits and mids for me, as my favorites are wacced out murals, luther, reincarnated, dodger blue, heart pt. 6 and gloria.

Anyway that's just me after 4 or 5 listens and it has been progressively growing on me, so who knows. (Edited)

Lamar does not innovate as much as he shows off with “GNX”. The instrumentals are the least ambitious of his work so far. They are minimalist with light west coast flavors. Their reserved nature puts pressure on Lamar’s flow to carry the songs, which, for the most part, he does. He pulls emotion with fantastic cadence, enthusiasm, and sprints of energy towards the ends of songs. “tv off” is saved by the raw power of him yelling mustard. At times, he can be a little too reliant on his hooks. “GNX” is a demonstration of Lamar’s fundamentals, but there is a reason he went pro. (Edited)