Kendrick Lamar’s new album has been receiving a lot of buzz on the internet recently. Some say it’s good, others say it’s terrible. Today, Jasvick and I will be reviewing this album song by song. We will each give it a rating from 1-10, then at the end rate the album. Without further ado, GNX!

Song 1: dodger blue

Evan’s Rating: 6.7/10

The song started with a nice and slow beat, which I thought was nice and easy to vibe to. Once Kendrick started rapping, however, I felt it was hard to understand him, and his lyrics could have brought more to the table. I did enjoy the chorus though, when Wallie the Sensei, Roddy Ricch, and Siete7x joined in. I liked this part better than Kendrick, which is not a great sign. 

Jasvick’s Rating: 5/10

The song started nicely as Evan stated, but Kendrick’s part leaves a lot to be desired. I felt he could have had better lyrics and flow. The chorus and features, however, were a nice addition to an overall middle-of-the-pack song. 

Song 2: peekaboo

Evan’s Rating: 7.1/10

The chorus of this song is excellent, and I could see myself listening to this often. However, the respective parts ruined it. When he continuously said, “What we talking about we talking about nothing”, I wanted to turn off the speaker. Kendrick’s lyrics saved it, making it a decent song.

Jasvick’s Rating: 5.7/10

The chorus and the lyrics for Kendrick were really good. There was a good melody and beat used. However, as Evan said, the repetitive parts of the song ruined it. The “we talking about part” and the other random snippet ruined what could have been a phenomenal song. 

Song 3: hey now

Evan’s Rating: 2/10

I did not enjoy listening to this at all. The introduction when Kencrick started whispering to us creeped me out, and the constant breathing in the background made me feel comfortable. Will not be listening to this song again.

Jasvick’s Rating: 2.5/10

This song was an utter disappointment. Kendrick’s lyrics and the beginning of the song were horrendously used. The feature also didn’t help the song at all. Never listen again.

Song 4: gnx

Evan’s Rating: 4.2/10

This song was better than the one we just listened to, but not by much. There was nothing specific about it that made me dislike it, but there was nothing special to it either. It was slow and didn’t give me anything to rave about.

Jasvick’s Rating: 3/10

I truly had high hopes for this song. I was very disappointed. It was slightly better than hey now but not that much. There were no special elements within the song. Also, it was slow-paced and not good.

Song 5: gloria

Evan’s Rating: 8.3/10

I enjoyed this song. SZA’s part carried her song, and she added a much-needed change of pace to it. Kendrick’s flow was smooth, and it was all in all a nice song to vibe to. This may be the first song in the album that goes in the playlist.

Jasvicks Rating: 7/10

I enjoyed this song. This song was by far the best song on the album so far. I enjoyed SZA’s part of the song. It added interesting elements to the song. Kendrick’s flow and lyrics were also solid. Overall, a solid song. 

Song 6: man at the garden

Evan’s Rating: 5.3/10

A little repetitive, and too slow for my liking. I feel this song would’ve been a lot better if it was more fast-paced. The part at the end when he started rapping faster I enjoyed a lot. If he continued that flow throughout the entirety of the song, maybe it would have received a higher rating.

Jasvick’s Rating: 5/10

This song was very middle-of-the-pack. There was nothing overly special about this song. I feel as if this song would’ve been a lot better if it was faster such as the part near the end. If that was continued, the song would have been good. 

Song 7: wacced out murals

Evan’s Rating: 7.6/10

The song started weirdly with the lady singing in another language, and it started slow. However, it began to pick up and his flow was nice. In this song, he dissed several artists such as Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Drake, adding to the drama that began since his song, Not Like Us. I don’t care to listen to rap music about beef, but I enjoyed the bars that he threw out in this song.

Jasvick’s Rating: 7/10

The beginning of the song was very weird with the lady singing in another language, and it started very slow. However, I liked the beat change and when Kendrick started to sing faster. I thought his flow and lyrics were all good. The diss on the several artists added to the drama and was an interesting element. 

Song 8: luther

Evan’s Rating: 8.7/10

In the beginning when it was just Kendrick the song was okay, but nothing special. As soon as SZA jumped in with Kendrick and they started singing together, the song got so much better. They paired very well with each other, and the singing sounded very nice. It had a very nice flow and rhythm and is my favorite song so far from the album.

Jasvick’s Rating: 8/10 

In the beginning, the song started okay, but it wasn’t good. When SZA came on the song changed, and when they started singing together the song got so much better. The pairing went well and fitted nicely together. So far, this was the best song on the album. 

Song 9: heart pt. 6

Evan’s Rating: 6.3/10

The song wasn’t bad, but there was nothing special to it. The flow was okay, but not something I’m gonna go crazy about. Not bad, but not great either.

Jasvick’s Rating: 6/10

This song was very middle of the pack. There was nothing special about this song. The flow, beat, and lyrics were all okay. Overall, not bad but not good.

Song 10: squabble up

Evan’s Rating: 9.4/10

This is what the album was getting all the hype from, and it makes sense. I loved this song. It is one of the few fast-paced songs in the album, and it gave the album a much-needed change of pace. The lyrics were great, and I would listen to it again. Going into the playlist!

Jasvick’s Rating: 8.5/10

This is the song I was waiting for. This song was the fast-paced, Kendrick-esque song it needed to give this album a much-needed change of pace. I liked this song and will be added to my playlist. 

Song 11: tv off

Evan’s Rating: 8.9/10

I liked this song, but not as much as squabble up. The screaming hurt my ears and was not the most enjoyable part. However, the flow was great and upbeat. Will listen to it again.

Jasvick’s Rating: 8.5/10

I also really enjoyed this song. The screaming was a bit obsessive however, overall this is on the same level as squabble. I would listen to this again. 

Song 12: reincarnated

Evan’s Rating: 6.7/10

Disappointing way to end off the album. Not a great song. Not bad, but nothing special. Through this album, I have figured out I like Kendrick’s fast-paced songs better/

Jasvick’s Rating: 5/10

I was disappointed in how this album ended. It wasn’t good or bad. It was fast-paced however it wasn’t very good. 

Final Thoughts: Overall, a solid album. Songs like squabble up and the ones with SZA carried, while ones like hey now, hurt it. Some songs we will be adding to our playlist, while others will never be touched again.