I'm hopping on this track by track review bandwagon
Wesley's Theory 5* From the "Every ****** Is A Star" to the production and lyrics this track is the perfect opener. I wasn't huge in the wonky FlyLo produc to on the first time I heard it, but it's really grown on me and the George Clinton feature is used great, not to mention Kendrick has some great verses.
For Free? 5* I remember hearing this for the first time and instantly knowing I was going to be in for a treat. The production is straight up jazz basically no hip-hop influence whatsoever, and his beatnik flow is absolutely crazy especially near the end. "This dick ain't freeeeeee"
King Kunta 5* Another perfect track and the perfect end of what I call the trifecta of "pimped rap star" songs that is Wesley's Theory, For Free?, and King Kunta. The James Brown funk and the melodic and sparse flow Kendrick puts on is absolutely awesome.
Institutionalized 4.5* I don't know why but something about the forst few seconds of the track turn me off a little bit, but I love the rest of it. Snoop's "hook" is great and the freakish flow Kendrick has on some of this fit the story really well. Love the beat changeups as well.
These Walls 5* This was the first track where I really noticed how the poem fit into each song that was coming up. When the "if these walls could talk" section moves into the rest of the beat it flows so fluidly, it's one of my favorite moments on the record.
u 4.5* This is probably one if the most oddball tracks on the album and the second half is one of my favorite spots on the album. The beat must change 3 or 4 times and really jeeps the track moving and feeling fresh, extremely expiremental production wise calling from free jazz and left-field soul and r&b. His flow is also extremely off-kilter as well from the frantic high and low singing of the "loving you is complicated" line to the drunken Kendrick we see later on in the track.
Alright 4* Really catchy poppy track which is nice after the emotional outbursts of the last three tracks just something you can really groove to. He goes absolutely insane in some sections flow wise with his speed and delivery, all around just a good pop song and certainly adds a little bit if light to the album.
For Sale? 4.5* Let me be honest this was one of my least favorite tracks on first listen. I didn't like the flow and the breathing at the beggining but it certainly grew on me the production is some of the best in the album the dreamy creamy jazz chords that just swirl endlessly I really feel like I'm in a blissed out state while listening to this track, plus it really compliments the the dark lyrics.
Momma 3* Still probably my least favorite track on the album, I don't think it's all that bad just not really doing all that much for me. I dint have much to say about track besides that the production is stellar as usual.
Hood Politics 3.5 * I hate that Momma and Hood Politics are together because they're my least favorites on the album the whole "boo boo" chorus anoys me a little, but overall he has some great verses that save it from being a failure.
How Much A Dollar Cost? 5* Oh boy I love this track, the beat sounds like a mix between Pyramid Song by Radiohead and something out of a James Bond movie and it's awesome. Kendrick has some great verses as per usual on this track and coming after my least two favorite tracks on the album this really picks up the momentum again.
Complexion (A Zulu Love) 5* Perfect track start to finish beautiful production, great hook, and Kendrick goes in and that's really all I can ask for. Also the feature on this track near the end really finishes up the track well and it's nice to hear someone reather than Kendrick for a moment good change of pace.
Blacker The Berry 5* This was the first track I heard from the album that really made me truly excited to hear what the rest of the album would be like. The anger on this track is palpable, and lyrically it's Kendrick's most dense and crazed on the album he sounds legitimately mad like he's losing breath trying to say all that he is just absolutely ranting getting it all out there. It comes with my favorite little lyric refrain on the album too "I'm the biggest hypocrite of 2015" not to mention the jazz outro that sounds like something out of the Earl rulebook just less lo-fi.
You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 4* It's weird hearing this track right after The Blacker The Berry because it's so much calmer than the anger that was that track. I love the little hook it's really catchy, but I dint think this song sticks out as the most memorable on the album it dosent stop it from being really enjoyable though.
i 5* First off I'm so glad this new rawer live version of i rather than the polished studio version it just feels more energetic and gets the message across better imo. In fact I don't like the studio version at all its too sterile. The little rant he goes off on at the end really pulls it together for me making it the perfect penultimate track because the story is finally all coming together in a thematic close.
Mortal Man 5* Well the song is just a great closer and I don't really think I need to go into great detail. The part that is really important and moving to me is the Tupac interview. Yes the seven or eight minute interview that everyone on here seems to shrug off as filler, I think it is the most nessesary element of this record, firmly tying together everything and explaining in full the message of the album title itself. It's a perfect closer to a near perfect record.
Overall 4.8*/5*
I think I might put this post in my journal as well.
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