2022 Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "We Are" - Jon Batiste

 

For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100. 

"We Are" - Jon Batiste

(All Rights To Verve Records)

1) "We Are" ft/ Autumn Rowe, Braedon Gautier, Brennan Gautier, Craig Adams, David Gauthier, Gospel Soul Children Choir & Saint Augustine High School Marching 100

This deals with the ability to make change; "The ghetto is full of stars, bless them, shine from afar.....The country is full of stars, but they're in the dark". There's a very energized outro.

2) "Tell The Truth"

This track is about being honest; "Whether looking for love? Are you looking for fame? Before you go off, better know the game". 

3) "Cry"

A bluesy track, this deals with social unrest. There's a smooth guitar break.

4) "I Need You"

Upbeat, Jon is seeking to spread joy amid unrest; "I love the way you're livin', 'Cause you so genuine".

5) "Whatchutalkinbout"

With a unique feel, Jon deals with challenges he's faced along his journey.

6) "Boy Hood" ft/ PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty

Starting a trilogy, this deals with what it felt like growing up in New Orleans.

7) "Movement 11' "

Continuing the theme of coming of age, this instrumental track builds on top of itself.

8) "Adulthood" ft/ Hot 8 Brass Band

This deals with suddenly arriving to a sense of maturity.

9) "Mavis"

This short snippet is the inspiration that Jon found with Mavis Staples.

10) "Freedom"

"Freedom" is about the beacons of freedom and expressing yourself; "When I move my body just like this, I don't know why but I feel like freedom".

11) "Show Me The Way" ft/ Zadie Smith

This is an homage to inspiration.

12) "Sing" 

This track deals with singing when feeling overwhelmed with emotion; "On the verge of cryin', I don't feel like tryin', But instead I'll sing.....When I'm done with worries, And no one's around me, Don't you know, I'll sing".

13) "Until"

This is both a moment of celebration, but with the instrumental background pondering what's next.

Just a fantastic album. Unlike some of the others I've reviewed thus far, I was left wanting any more at the close of "We Are". Jon Batiste has a way about his vocals that are incredibly expressive. I foresee many more grammy nominations in his future. (95)

Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97

Jon Batiste "We Are" - 95

Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85

H.E.R "Back Of My Mind" - 78

Kanye West "Donda" - 61

2022 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Back Of My Mind" - H.E.R

 

For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100. 

"Back Of My Mind" - H.E.R

 

 (All Rights To RCA Records)

 

1) "We Made It"

With a tranquil groove, this is about how she finally reached her dreams; "Running red lights, and following the signs, it's been a long ride". 

 

2) "Back Of My Mind" ft/ Ty Dolla $ign

This is about a bond with a past romance; "I'm still the greatest of all time, in the back of your mind". Ty doesn't bring much of anything to the track.

3) "Trauma" ft/ Cordae

This deals with perception & public image.

4) "Damage"

Sampling "Making Love In The Rain", H.E.R doesn't want to be taken for granted. She uses her full range, and there's a nice piano outro.

5) "Find A Way" ft/ Lil Baby

Dealing with the journey to fame, there's some clunky writing.

6) "Bloody Waters"

There's passion behind the central message to this track; "speculate caution signs, Incriminate people's minds, war and love don't combine".

7) "Closer To Me"

This track is a bit bland.

8) "Come Through" ft/ Chris Brown

This is a duet about the urge to see each other. Overall, this track is just sort of there.

9) "My Own"

She's trying to be independent from her partner.

10) "Lucky"

This describes a romance.

11) "Cheat Code"

This deals with the frustration and tension of a romance.

12) "Mean It"

She's becoming skeptical of her partner's intentions; "Maybe I should be more like her, Just forget about what's right, just forget about my worth".

13) "Paradise" ft/ Yung Bleu

 

14) "Process"

 

15) "Hold On"

She's trying to move on; "How do you get somewhere comfortable, then leave?". There's a nice closing guitar rift.

16) "Don't"

This track opens with a nice guitar intro.

17) "Exhausted"

There isn't much behind this track.

18) "Hard To Love"

She's struggling after a break-up; "I can't expect you to fix all my issues".

19) "For Anyone"

There's some particularly good writing; "I look for peace of mind in someone else's eyes".

20) "I Can Have It All" ft/ DJ Khaled & Bryson Tiller

Dealing with the rise to fame, this track is somewhat redundant.

21) "Slide" w/ YG

This deals with her new perspective on love & relationships; "I don't care if we on the run, Nothin' matters when we one on one".

"Back Of My Mind" is a mixed bag of an album. There are genuinely some strong and passionate tracks, but a lot of filler as well in this bloated album. Sometimes less can be more, as some tracks get lost in the shuffle with twenty-one of them.  (78)

 

Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97

Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85

H.E.R "Back Of My Mind" - 78

Kanye West "Donda" - 61

 

 

 

 

 

2022 Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "Happier Than Ever" - Billie Eilish

 

For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100. 

"Happier Than Ever" - Billie Eilish

(All Rights To Darkroom/Interscope Records)

1) "Getting Older"

This is a vulnerable intro with a synth beat; "Last week, I realized I crave pity, when I retell a story I make everything sound worse......Just bad at healing". She's ultimately striving to be better.

2) "I Didn't Change My Number"

This track details how she separated from a past relationship; "I didn't change my number, I only changed who I believe in".

3) "Billie Bossa Nova"

A more sensual tone with a nice beat.

4) "My Future"

She's reflecting on her past and what's yet to come, with a melancholic leading to an optimistic feel.

5) "Oxytocin"

This has an uptempo/club beat; "You know I need you for the oxytocin". The back-half feels a bit redundant.

6) "GOLDWING"

This is about a woman who's gone through trauma, with an angelic sounding intro; "Gonna claim you like a souvenir just to sell you in a year".

7) "Lost Cause"

There's a nice groove to this track; "I used to wish you were mine, but that was way before I realized someone like you would always be so easy to find".

8) "Halley's Comet"

This track starts off with a nice piano intro; "I've been loved before but right now in this moment I feel more and more like I was made for you".

9) "Not My Responsibility"

A spoken word track, this deals with body image & objectification; "Would you like me to be smaller, weaker, softer, taller?.....Is my value based only on your perception". Really sending a powerful message.

10) "Over Heated" 

A follow up to "Not My Responsibility", this also addresses objectification; "I was only built like everybody else now, But I didn't get a surgery to help out, 'Cause I'm not about to redesign myself now, am I?"

11) "Everybody Dies"

A reminiscence on death; "I sure have a knack for seeing life more like a child". 

12) "Your Power"

This deals with an abusive relationship; "She said 'you were a hero, you played the part', 'But you ruined her in a year, don't act like it was hard' ". 

13) "NDA"

This deals with romance amid fame; "30 under 30 for another year, I can barely go outside, I think I hate it here".

14) "Therefore I Am"

This is about those who use her for clout; "Get my pretty name outta your mouth, We are not the same with or without".

15) "Happier Than Ever"

A therapeutic reflection on a past relationship, there's a tonal shift midway through that's laid out perfectly.

16) "Male Fantasy"

A ballad on heartbreak and what's real versus fake. She doesn't know if she's just pretending to get over them.

I wasn't sure how Billie Eilish was going to follow up her incredible debut album, but she found a way. She takes it to another level with "Happier Than Ever" that just has you wondering what could be next. Unlike "Donda", this album seemed to fly by.  (97)

Billie Eilish "Happier Than Ever" - 97

Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85

Kanye West "Donda" - 61 

2022 Grammy's Album of The Year Review: "Donda" - Kanye West

 

For this year's reviews of the album of the year nominees, I simplified my grading. I grade each song (not any interludes or preludes) out of 10, coming up with a final score out of 100. 

"Donda" - Kanye West

(All Rights To GOOD & Dej Jam Records)

1) "Donda Chant" ft/ Syleena Johnson

This acts as a meditative opening track.

2) "Jail" ft/ Jay-Z

Jail depicts Kanye amidst crisis in regards to his public image and marriage. Overall this track is rather repetitive, and not very creative in dealing with that reflection. 

3) "God Breathed" ft/ Vory

He's imploring the listener to trust God. The writing is just awful, I mean; "God, the father like Maury". Vory's verses on their own would make for a better song.

4) "Off The Grid" ft/ Flvio Foreign & Playboy Carti

There are mixed messages among the verses.

5) "Hurricane" by Kanye West & The Weeknd ft/ Lil Baby

There's a nice flow from The Weeknd; "Father hold me close, don't let me drown". Kanye gets really personal.

6) "Praise God" ft/ Baby Keem & Travis Scott

This track deals with raising awareness.

7) "Jonah" ft/ Lil Durk & Vory

This is a tribute to Jonah Ware; "I hope you're here when I need the demons to be gone".

8) "Ok Ok" ft/ Lil Yachty & Rooga

'Ok Ok' is a reflection on betrayal and demonization in the public eye, but the track is yawn-inducing.

9) "Junya" ft/ Playboi Carti

This is a tribute to designer Junya Watanabe. The writing doesn't provide much.

10) "Believe What I Say" 

This is another track on reflection; "people say tweeting gonna make you die early".

11) "24" 

'24' is a dedication to Kobe Bryant and about the fragility of life.

12) "Remote Control" ft/ Young Thug

Another reflection on faith, Kanye is saying that God has a plan laid out.

13) "Moon" ft/ Don Toliver & Kid Cudi

A very tranquil track; "Angels, they say I'm not ever weak".

14) "Heaven & Hell" 

Opening with a distorted sounding intro, it follows with a staccato flow.

15) "Donda" ft/ Stalone & The World Famous Tony Williams

The title track acts as a sort of interlude, featuring Kanye's late mother.

16) "Keep My Spirit Alive" ft/ Conway the Machine & Westside Gunn

Dealing with past reflections, the first verse isn't very pleasing to listen to. 

17) "Jesus Lord" ft/ Jay Electronica

This track lays out a story, saying those on tough times need to listen to their faith.

18) "New Again" 

This track is about a spiritual rebirth, but has a cluttered intro.

19) "Tell The Vision" ft/ Pop Smoke

This acts as a tribute to Pop Smoke.

20) "Lord I Need You" 

Kanye reflects on his relationship to Kim K.

21) "Pure Souls" ft/ Roddy Ricch & Sheneseea

'Pure Souls' reflects on challenges, and rising up without selling one's soul. 

22) "Come To Life" 

Kanye desires for another life, wishing he had listened more.

23) "No Child Left Behind" ft/ Vory

This references the children of God.

24) "Jail Pt. 2" ft/ DaBaby & Marilyn Manson

A controversial track due to this collaboration, especially Manson and the sexual assault allegations levied against him.

25) "Ok Ok pt 2" ft/ Rooga & Shenseea"

26) "Junya Pt. 2" ft/ Playboi Carti & Ty Dolla $ign

27) "Jesus Lord Pt. 2" ft/ Jay Electronica & the Lox

I'll be honest, "Donda' was a sludge to get through. There are some good things there (mainly in the back-half and the solo tracks), but this album is so muddled. If the track list had been halved, then maybe 'Donda' would be worthy of the grammy nomination, but as it is, it felt like a chore to listen to. (61)

Lil Nas X "Montero" - 85

Kanye West "Donda" - 61