Kendrick Lamar's new album "DAMN." is a masterpiece

[Cary Kollins]

and I can't stop listening to it.

Kendrick's lyrics have layers on top of layers overlaid on some brilliant music that harkens back to 90's hiphop while also being relevant today.

discuss

[pantherphan96]

Really good album, step down from GKMC and TPAB IMO, Lust and Fear are my two favorites off the album.

40 minutes ago, 15 said:

eh it's great but it's not the best album of the year so far like everyone says.

his coachella performance was phenomenal. 

whats your AOTY

[Cary Kollins]

7 minutes ago, 15 said:

I don't like crowning anyone till the end of the year, Process by Sampha is great. Drunk by Thundercat is great. the knew Alt J album is about to crush everything for me though. 

 

I gotta check those out. I haven't listened to many new full length rap albums much lately outside of TLOP and Coloring Book. 

[Cary Kollins]

5 minutes ago, 15 said:

coloring book is my shiiiiiit. culture is a good full length. the ones I listed are more on the RnB/Indie side of the spectrum. 

 

I was in the pit when chance came to Greensboro. Chance, Francis and the Lights and Father John Misty renewed my faith in music last year. Kendrick doing it again.

 

[pantherphan96]

19 minutes ago, 15 said:

I don't like crowning anyone till the end of the year, Process by Sampha is great. Drunk by Thundercat is great. the knew Alt J album is about to crush everything for me though. 

Agree on Process. Thought Coloring Book was decent but a step down from Acid Rap. 

[Kramerica]

A good music thread on the Huddle? What is this madness?!

I listened to DAMN. on repeat for about three weeks. I've cooled off on it for now, but I'll probably revisit tomorrow now that I'm reading this thread. The first time I heard the beat switch in DNA I nearly collapsed. However, the real achievement of this album is getting me to enjoy a song in 2017 that features U2.

I agree on FJM--I didn't really dig that new album at all. My other favorite albums so far this year are from Thundercat, The Courtneys, Del Paxton, and Beachheads. I'm stoked for the new War on Drugs and Waxahatchee.

Favorite songs so far this year are "Silver" by Waxahatchee, "Sweep Me Off My Feet" by Pond, and "Holding On" by The War on Drugs.

[Cary Kollins]

35 minutes ago, Lomez said:

A good music thread on the Huddle? What is this madness?!

I listened to DAMN. on repeat for about three weeks. I've cooled off on it for now, but I'll probably revisit tomorrow now that I'm reading this thread. The first time I heard the beat switch in DNA I nearly collapsed. However, the real achievement of this album is getting me to enjoy a song in 2017 that features U2.

I agree on FJM--I didn't really dig that new album at all. My other favorite albums so far this year are from Thundercat, The Courtneys, Del Paxton, and Beachheads. I'm stoked for the new War on Drugs and Waxahatchee.

Favorite songs so far this year are "Silver" by Waxahatchee, "Sweep Me Off My Feet" by Pond, and "Holding On" by The War on Drugs.

 

Yeah as far as DAMN. goes I've always respected Kendrick and loved a few songs, but haven't loved his other albums. Then again I haven't listened to them enough to really get a good judgement, but that's on the to do list.

But yeah DAMN. clicked after like the third listen where I just had it on in the background around the house. I think for me it helps that the beats are FIRE imo. Musically it's top notch. Complex instrumentals where every note is intentional, nothing is wasted. Lyrically Kendrick is obviously on another level from almost every other artist right now, and that's being generous. The way he puts the themes of introspection together is nothing short of amazing.

I've probably listened to the entire album four times in the past three days.

I had the exact same feeling about U2 too haha. I rolled my eyes when I initially saw them on be track, but it's actually great in context.

[pantherphan96]

47 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

Yeah as far as DAMN. goes I've always respected Kendrick and loved a few songs, but haven't loved his other albums. Then again I haven't listened to them enough to really get a good judgement, but that's on the to do list.

But yeah DAMN. clicked after like the third listen where I just had it on in the background around the house. I think for me it helps that the beats are FIRE imo. Musically it's top notch. Complex instrumentals where every note is intentional, nothing is wasted. Lyrically Kendrick is obviously on another level from almost every other artist right now, and that's being generous. The way he puts the themes of introspection together is nothing short of amazing.

I've probably listened to the entire album four times in the past three days.

I had the exact same feeling about U2 too haha. I rolled my eyes when I initially saw them on be track, but it's actually great in context.

TPAB is a good listen but it's almost exhausting to listen to. GKMC has the much higher replayability factor and IMO has a more cohesive theme and is more rewarding to listen.

[Bronn]

I know I will probably be blasted for saying this, but I just couldn't get into TPAB and therefore just kind of fell out of favor for KL...

His voice just takes getting used to. He sounds like he's out of breath sometimes, or even like a little kid or something. I don't know what it is, but it just lacks something IMHO.

I haven't even checked out DAMN yet because TPAB turned me way off.

[Cary Kollins]

1 minute ago, Bronn said:

I know I will probably be blasted for saying this, but I just couldn't get into TPAB and therefore just kind of fell out of favor for KL...

His voice just takes getting used to. He sounds like he's out of breath sometimes, or even like a little kid or something. I don't know what it is, but it just lacks something IMHO.

I haven't even checked out DAMN yet because TPAB turned me way off.

 

yeah, see my previous post basically saying the same thing about not being able to get into TPAB

[TheRumGone]

tpab is a masterpiece musically as well as lyrically. You had people like David Bowie saying it influenced his last album before he passed. Kendrick had a hand in every note,  every instrument, beat, etc.  I understand some of the vocal criticism but that album will go down as a GOAT imo.

[Bronn]

On 6/16/2017 at 2:50 PM, TheRumGone said:

tpab is a masterpiece musically as well as lyrically. You had people like David Bowie saying it influenced his last album before he passed. Kendrick had a hand in every note,  every instrument, beat, etc.  I understand some of the vocal criticism but that album will go down as a GOAT imo.

I honestly think I just couldn't get past the voice, and tbqh nothing really was revolutionary. Pac did it. Other rappers do it. That is what makes music an art form and what makes it subjective.

[TheRumGone]

1 hour ago, Bronn said:

I honestly think I just couldn't get past the voice, and tbqh nothing really was revolutionary. Pac did it. Other rappers do it. That is what makes music an art form and what makes it subjective.

Do what? Are you talking about lyrically? Because musically PAC never did it like this. This album is like a psychedelic, art rap album. You have some of the poppy stuff but even that isn't what I would call pop in today's standards. I mean he was sampling the Isley brothers. Revolutionary is a heavy word, he's obviously channeling the past, but it was such a breathe of fresh air and sounds so modern to me at the same time. It's a heavy, detailed listen but I will always understand the criticism even if I don't agree with it. 

[TheRumGone]

Also Kendrick has thundercat, formly of suicidal tendencies, playing on bass on a bunch of tracks. Rad as hell, I just picked up his new album Drunk. It's awesome.