2023 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Mr Morales & The Big Steppers" - Kendrick Lamar

 

With the Grammy nominations announced, its time for my annual review of every album of the year nominee. Track information in this review if courtesy of genius.com.

"Mr Morales & The Big Steppers" - Kendrick Lamar

PGLang/TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

1) "United In Grief"

This deals with mental health issues amid his career; "I can debate on my theories and sharing it....So what, paralyzed, the county building controlled us". Kendrick is also commenting on the prison complex.

2) "N95"

This is about coping mechanisms, talking about the facades that we wear; "where the hypocrites at? What community feel they the only ones relevant?" 

3) "Worldwide Steppers"

This deals with Kendrick's seclusive lifestyle; "Playin' Baby Shark with my daughter, watchin' for sharks outside at the same time".

4) "Die Hard" ft/ Blxst & Amanda Reifer

Kendrick talks about his insecurities and struggles in a relationship; "We all got enough to lie about, my truth too complicated to hide now".

5) "Father Time" ft/ Sampha

Kendrick explores toxic masculinity that's been passed down; "Everything them four walls had taught me, made habits bury deep. That man knew a lot, but not enough to keep me past them streets.....Men should never show feelings, being sensitive never helped".

6) "Rich (Interlude)"

7) "Rich Spirit" 

This deals with Kendrick's own qualities; "And celebrity do not mean integrity, you fool". This track could use more backing instrumentals.

8) "We Cry Together" ft/ Taylour Paige

This deals with a couple's dispute, featuring different sides. This is powerful, but gets uncomfortable and goes past the point its making.

9) "Purple Hearts" w/ Summer Walker & Ghostface Killah

This track feels scattered.

10) "Count Me Out" 

This is about proving someone wrong; "A mask won't hide who you are inside, Look around, the reality's carved in lies".

11) "Crown"

This is an introspective track, with a tranquil feel to it; "Heavy is the head that chooses to wear the crown, to whom it's given, much is required now".

12) "Silent Hill" w/ Kodak Black

This deals with success & fake friendships. The chorus is so-so.

13) "Savior (Interlude)"

14) "Savior" w/ Baby Keem & Sam Dew

This is a look at society; "One protest for you, Three-sixty-five for me".

15) "Auntie Diaries" 

This is a narrative look at views of the LGBTQ community; "I sat in the pew, you had stronger faith". Kendrick deals with the power of words & slurs.

16) "Mr Morale" w/ Tanna Leone

This track deals with trauma and excess; "Fightin' off demons that been outside, Better known as myself, I'm a a demigod".

17) "Mother I Sober" ft/ Beth Gibbons

Dealing with personal trauma, this track has some powerful lyrics.

18) "Mirror"

This is about fame & image; "I realized, true love's not savin' face, But unconditional, when will you let me go?"

19) "The Heart Part 5"

With a nice beat, this track really flows.

Coming off an anticipated wait, Kendrick Lamar brings it with "Mr Morales & The Big Steppers". This album flows fairly seamlessly. (90)

"In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile: 96

"Renaissance" - Beyonce: 93 

"30"- Adele: 92 

"Mr Morales & The Big Steppers" - Kendrick Lamar: 90

"Special" - Lizzo: 88

"Good Morning Gorgeous" (Deluxe) - Mary J Blige: 82

"Un Verano Sin Ti" - Bad Bunny: 81

"Music Of The Spheres" - Coldplay: 77    

2023 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Special" - Lizzo

 

With the Grammy nominations announced, its time for my annual review of every album of the year nominee. Track information in this review if courtesy of genius.com.

"Special" - Lizzo

Nice Life/Atlantic Records

1) "The Sign"

This acts as a 'tone-setter' for the album. Lyrically, its a bit lacking.

2) "About Damn Time"

This track deals with resilience; "Oh, I been so down and under pressure, I'm way too fine to be this stressed". This is extremely catchy.

3) "Grrrls"

This acts as an anthem for women showing love & power; "That's my girl, we codependent. If she with it, then I'm with it".

4) "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)"

As the title says, this deals with whether Lizzo is ready for a relationship; "You found me, I was fed up with the fantasy". There's a nice key change with the last chorus.

5) "I Love You Bitch"

There's a nice piano intro, but this track is let down by a simplistic chorus.

6) "Special"

This deals with self-empowerment in response to some of her online critics; "Could you imagine a world where everybody's the same". She really shows off her vocals.

7) "Break Up Twice"

With a unique sounding intro, this acts as an ultimatum; "I never had nobody with a love like you, It would be a shame not to see this through". The backing instrumentals further enhances this track.

8) "Everybody's Gay"

This is about showing our true-selves; "This costume feels so real, almost scared myself". There's a nice throwback sound.

9) "Naked"

Dealing with acceptance, this track has a nice groove.

10) "Birthday Girl"

This deals with celebration; "We here, we just had to believe on it".

11) "If You Love Me"

This is superb lyrically; "If you love me, you love all of me, or none of me at all".

12) "Coldplay"

With a jazzy sound to it, this is a dedication to her significant other. This samples Coldplay's "Yellow".

There are a few minor hiccups during the 1st half of this album, but there's a consistent sound & tone. The 2nd half "Special" is incredibly solid. (88)

"In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile: 96

"Renaissance" - Beyonce: 93 

"30"- Adele: 92 

"Special" - Lizzo: 88

"Good Morning Gorgeous" (Deluxe) - Mary J Blige: 82

"Un Verano Sin Ti" - Bad Bunny: 81

"Music Of The Spheres" - Coldplay: 77    

2023 Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile

 

With the Grammy nominations announced, its time for my annual review of every album of the year nominee. Track information in this review if courtesy of genius.com.

"In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile

Low Country Sound/Elektra Records

1) "Right On Time"

This is a reflection on conflict and regret; "turn back time, help me to rewind and we can find ourselves again".

2) "You and Me On The Rock" (ft/ Lucius)

This track deals with found family; "Me out in my garden and you out on your walk is all the distance this poor girl can take without listenin' to you talk". 

3) "This Time Tomorrow"

A message on grief; "You know I may not be around this time tomorrow, but I'll always be with you".

4) "Broken Horses"

With a folk/rock feel, this track is in relation to her upbringing; "I have worshiped at the altar of the puppet's master rule.....I have ever so politely traded softly for your praise".

5) "Letter To The Past"

This is Brandi speaking to her younger self; "folks are gonna lean on you, And leave when the cracks appear".

6) "Mamma Werewolf"

This is about displaying bad habits and inter-generational trauma ; "I stalk the streets where the shadows lie, And I pray to God that the sun will rise.....This curse a gift from my father's kin, They fought the beast I feel within, But we don't talk about it and we don't call its name".

7) "When You'e Wrong"

With a haunting outro, this deals with empathy; "Someone strong enough to lean on you when the roses fall away".

8) "Stay Gentle"

This is a message to her children; "know to find joy in the darkness is wise, Although they will think you don't understand".

9) "Sinners, Saints and Fools"

This is lyrically deep with a wild instrumental outro; "By the time he got to Heaven, it was surrounded by a wall, The pearly gates were locked up tight, the golden chains and all".

10) "Throwing Good After Bad"

Deeply personal and powerful, this is about a loved one making poor decisions; "And you will poor your heart into any shimmering fad, Throwin' good after bad".

"In These Silent Days" is another masterpiece from Brandi Carlile. She's such a lyrical genius, I could take this album being an hour or even 2 hours long. I can't wait to see what she does next. (96)

"In These Silent Days" - Brandi Carlile: 96

"Renaissance" - Beyonce: 93 

"30"- Adele: 92 

"Good Morning Gorgeous" (Deluxe) - Mary J Blige: 82

"Un Verano Sin Ti" - Bad Bunny: 81

"Music Of The Spheres" - Coldplay: 77