{"id":639,"date":"2022-05-16T10:25:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T18:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/?p=639"},"modified":"2022-05-27T18:20:06","modified_gmt":"2022-05-28T02:20:06","slug":"kendrick-lamar-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/kendrick-lamar-new-album\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Kendrick Lamar &#8211; Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After a 5-year hiatus, Kendrick Lamar steps back on the scene with his fifth album <a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/us\/album\/mr-morale-the-big-steppers\/1623854804\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers<\/a>. Before we begin, let\u2019s level set\u2026this is not an album for everyone. It\u2019s an experimental genre-bender that will leave those expecting a pure and unadulterated Rap album feeling ostracized and confused. I recommend listeners come to this album expecting \u201cAlternative Rap\u201d at best and \u201cNot Even Rap\u201d at its worst. Now shall we begin?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_22 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-black\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/kendrick-lamar-new-album\/#Analysis_3_Random_Songs\" title=\"Analysis (3 Random Songs)\">Analysis (3 Random Songs)<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/kendrick-lamar-new-album\/#Life_Factor\" title=\"Life Factor\">Life Factor<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/kendrick-lamar-new-album\/#Skill_Factor\" title=\"Skill Factor\">Skill Factor<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/kendrick-lamar-new-album\/#Parting_Thoughts\" title=\"Parting Thoughts\">Parting Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"analysis-3-random-songs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analysis_3_Random_Songs\"><\/span><strong>Analysis (3 Random Songs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Silent Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Silent Hill is boring. The lyrics are meaningless, the flow is lazy and both pair horribly with the subdued and introspective beat. In fact, Kendrick\u2019s vocals are so banal that they fade into the beat right next to the hi hat. Kodak Black was slightly better; his flow was on point, but his lyrics were subpar:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>&#8220;Pull out the stick, hit a bitch with the wood<\/p><p>First to park Rolls Royce. &#8216;vert in the hood<\/p><p>Don&#8217;t worry about us, over here we good<\/p><p>The AP Roman numeral, everywhere I go, I need pharmaceuticals&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Women, Cars, Jewelry, and Drugs all within 4 bars. If you\u2019ve been waiting for Silent Hill to come back, this ain\u2019t it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rich Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve read my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/nas-magic-album-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nas \u2013 Magic review<\/a>, you will remember that I docked Nas for over-reliance on 16 random bars as a verse. In Rich Spirit, I believe Kendrick Lamar is guilty of the same exact infraction. The entire song feels \u201cphoned in\u201d. There\u2019s very little energy in the vocals, the lyrics are nothing special, and the \u201cwhite\u201d voice in verse 3 is strange.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>N95<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kendrick Lamar takes his mask off on N95 and shows the world why he is highly regarded in Rap. Verse 1 is the preamble; Verse 2 is Kendrick at his best:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>&#8220;The world in a panic, the women is stranded, the men on a run<\/p><p>The Prophets abandoned, the law take advantage, the market is crashin&#8217;, <\/p><p>The industry wants niggas and bitches to sleep in a box while they makin&#8217; a mockery followin&#8217; us&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The way he delivered these bars was amazing and I wish he gave us more of this on the album.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"life-factor\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Life_Factor\"><\/span>Life Factor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>Commute &#8211; 3<\/td><td>Sedentary &#8211; 3<\/td><td>Activity &#8211; 0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>N95<br>Die Hard<br>Father Time<br>Rich Spirit<br>Count Me Out<br>Silent Hill<br>Savior<br>Mr. Morale<br>Mirror<\/td><td>United in Grief<br>Worldwide Steppers<br>We Cry Together<br>Purple Hearts<br>Crown<br>Auntie Diaries<br>Mother I Sober<\/td><td>None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers is an album that gives you an even number of tracks to listen to on the go and when you\u2019re Sedentary. Since the album leans more towards the \u201csomber\u201d side of things, there is nothing exciting or hype for the Gym or a Party. In fact, some of the songs that I placed under \u201cCommute\u201d are borderline Sedentary which really masks how slow and somber this album truly is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"skill-factor\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skill_Factor\"><\/span>Skill Factor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instrumentation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The underlying compositions are sonically impressive but make for a very subpar rap album.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>18% of the tracks do not fall under the genre of Rap. <\/li><li>43% of the tracks are somber, melancholy, or down tempo.<\/li><li>More than half of the somber tracks do not have Kick and Snare combo: Auntie Diaries, Worldwide Steppers, Crown, Mother I Sober. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lyrics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kendrick\u2019s pen game has always been first rate and this album is no different. Songs like Worldwide Steppers, Mother I Sober, and Auntie Diaries teleport listeners into Kendrick&#8217;s body for a  \u201cday in the life\u201d of his world. His ability to communicate his life through his pen is top notch and that cannot be discounted no matter how you feel about the songs as a whole. However, after such a long hiatus, we wanted more \u201cVerse 2 of N95\u201d Kendrick on this album. His comeback should have re-established himself as the modern lyricist&nbsp;before springing out into the experimental &#8220;Starbucks Rap&#8221; lane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Flows<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like his lyrics, the flows are top notch. He is a master at using the requisite number of words to convey a thought without over cramming the bar and getting off-beat.&nbsp;&nbsp;But be aware, if you are not a fan of the constant voice changes this will not be the outing for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"parting-thoughts\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parting_Thoughts\"><\/span>Parting Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every couple of years, the dominant society crowns an artistic endeavor as the pinnacle work of its time. During this period, we see White writers pushing over-analytical puff pieces that shower the art with acclaim and adulation, see The Heist, Coloring Book, etc. In this context, Mr. Morale &amp; the Big Steppers is an aural \u201cpick me\u201d. It\u2019s a genre-bending affair that sees Kendrick\u2019s lyrical prowess given to melancholy, somber, and sometimes drumless backing tracks. While it may not be for everyone, I believe this album elevates Kendrick Lamar to the pound-for-pound king of coffee shop rap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give this album 3 out of 6ZEROS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53\" width=\"184\" height=\"55\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3.png 600w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-110x33.png 110w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-380x114.png 380w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-200x60.png 200w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-255x77.png 255w, https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/3-550x165.png 550w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After a 5-year hiatus, Kendrick Lamar steps back on the scene with his fifth album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. Before we begin, let\u2019s level set\u2026this is not an album for everyone. \n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":640,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[39,13],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=639"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":649,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639\/revisions\/649"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=639"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=639"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=639"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.6zeros.net\/thezerohour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=639"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}