2026 Grammy's Album Review: "GNX" - Kendrick Lamar

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"GNX" - Kendrick Lamar

(PGLang/Interscope Records)

1) Wacced Cut Morals:

Acting as an opening statement, this track clicks in about midway through; "I never lost who I am for a rap image".

2) Squabble Up:

This track pops immediately.

3) Luther (w/ SZA):

A slower and mellower track; "If this world was mine, I'd take your enemies in front of God". This is a perfect blend between the two.

4) Man at the Garden:

Dealing with what he feels he's owed, this goes hard at the end. However, the "I deserve it all" refrain/mantra gets repetitive.

5) Hey Now (ft/ Dody6):

A very smooth flow; "You crash out, you better break the backboard". 

6) Reincarnated:

With a nice beat, this gets deep; "I manipulated power, as I lied to the masses".

7) TY OFF (ft/ Lefty Gunplay):

Up-tempo, there's a cool breakdown midway.

8) Dodger Blue (ft/ Wallie the Sensei, Siete7x, and Roddy Ricch):

Very bluesy; "Don't say you hate L.A, but live in L.A and pretend". 

9) Peakaboo (ft/ AZChike):

I found this track to be a bit clunky.

10) Heart Pt. 6:

Slower paced, this track uses a well placed sample; "Use your hearts and not your eyes".

11) GNX (ft/ Hitta J3, YoungThreat and Peysoh):

The vibe switches up. I particularly enjoyed Hitta's verse.

12) Gloria (w/ SZA):

A smooth vibe; "I've been getting used to what open-minded people do".

Kendrick Lamar just hits every single time, and that's no different on "GNX". A well-paced album. In the future, I'd love to see what Kendrick could do with a collaborative album with SZA (those features really clicked for me). (84.1)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

 

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Swag" - Justin Bieber

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Swag" - Justin Bieber

(Def Jam/ILH)

1) All I Can Take:

Despite a dreamy soundscape intro, the vocals come off as very whiny. Its almost like Bieber is doing a poor Michael Jackson impression.

2) Daisies:

With a funk intro, the vocals are improved from the opening track. A very catchy song.

3) Yukon:

The vocals are pitched or distorted. The lyrics are very cringe.

4) Go Baby:

A perfectly fine track, nothing spectacular lyrically.

5) Things You Do:

A short track, but with interesting instrumentals.

6) Butterflies:

There's a nice drum beat midway through.

7) Way It Is (w/ Gunna):

Back to a dream soundscape, but the whiny vocals return.

8) First Place: 

Justin sounds better in falsetto here. There's a nice heavy beat.

9) Soulful (w/ Druski)

10) Walking Away:

This is a back to form of sorts.

11) Glory Voice Memo:

His raw vocals really pop on this.

12) Devotion (w/ Dijon):

A slower track, this is very bluesy; "I promise to take my time giving you devotion".

13) Dadz Love (w/ Lil B):

More of an EDM vibe, its catchy but gets repetiive.

14) Therapy Session (w/ Druski)

15) Sweet Spot (w/ Sexyy Red):

The intro starts off smooth, but the writing (especially for Red) is just terrible and rather uncreative.

16) Standing On Business (w/ Druski)

17) 405:

Back to a soundscape vibe.

18) Swag (w/ Cash Cobain & Eddie Benjamin):

This track stalls out midway.

19) Zuma:

Another track showing Justin's raw vocals. This kind of sound is promising.

20) Too Long:

This comes off as somewhat experimental, particularly with the instrumentals.

21) Forgiveness (Performed by Marvin Winans)

I was dreading reviewing this album when it came around for this series....and while there were a couple bright spots, it was still a slog to get through. If there's anything super positive to say, it wasn't the complete trainwreck I was anticipating. Oddly enough, I got more out of the voice memos or tracks that were primarily Bieber's raw vocals. He doesn't need that whiny effect he sometimes puts on with his voice. (69.6)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - Bad Bunny

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - Bad Bunny

(Rimas Records)

1) Nuevayol:

I'll note that I listened on Apple Music, which provided translation. However I'm not going to have a heavy emphasis on lyrics overall in this review. Starting off with a horn opening, this track has a fusion sound to it; "When I was born, so was the flow". There's a nice breakdown and switch-up.

2) Voy a Llevate Pa PR:

This track is a bit one-note sound wise.

3) Baile Inolvidable:

Combined with a switch-up, the backing vocals and percussion, everything just meshes well; "You were my unforgettable dance". 

4) Perfumito Nuevo (w/ RaiNao):

The opening is very delicate.

5) Weltita (w/ Chuwi):

There's a different vibe to this; "How can a goddess be so simple". This is a strong feature. 

6) Velda (w/ Omar Courtz and Dei V)

Sonically this is one-note, as the vocals stay at the same place.

7) El Club:

There's a nice flow.

8) Ketu Tecre:

He's very emotive on this track.

9) Bokete:

The intro is nice and mellow, but the track doesn't really go anywhere.

10) Kloufrens:

There's an EDM like beat.

11) Turista:

With a pleasant and tranquil intro, the guitar acts like its own feature. This track revolves around someone in his life who was akin to a tourist, not seeing his true pain (but noting that it wasn't;t necessarily their responsibility).

12) Cafe con Ron (w/ Los Pleneros de la Cresta):

Going back up tempo, there's a nice call & response section.

13) Pitorro de Coco:

The intro is unique.

14) Lo Que Le Paso a Hawaii:

Very smooth.

15) Eoo:

There's a funk vibe that really grooves.

16) DTMF:

This track stalls a bit.

17) La Mudanza:

With a spoken word intro, this is a very strong closing track. The drum feature is insane. 

I honestly wasn't sure of what to expect with this, but I found this album to be well paced. At a little over an hour, it didn't really feel like that. You had some of the slower paced tracks as a buffer bringing a change of pace. I fully get and appreciate how Bad Bunny is one of the most successful global artists right now. (84.5)

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Mutt" - Leon Thomas

 

Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.

"Mutt" - Leon Thomas

(Rights to EZMNY/Motown Records)

1) "How Fast"

There's a cool intro (with an engine sound, fading between ears). The drums really kick in; "So addicted to the top, it's always missionary". 

2) "Safe Place"

There's a bluesy, sort of experimental sound.

3) "Dancing With Demons"

With a spoken word intro, this track has a nice lyrical flow; "Nobody said how dark the light be".

4) "Vibes Don't Lie"

A funky vibe, this track meanders a bit. However, there's a nice horn section to close.

5) "Lucid Dreams" ft/ Masego

This deals with the after-effects of a breakup; "So dramatic you treat life like a movie scene". 

6) "Feelings on Silent" ft/ Wale

Dealing with someone's real persona and "masking" one's true self and thoughts.

7) "Answer Your Phone"

A ballad, this track really builds. A vocal showcase, you can really feel his pleading.

8) "Yes It Is"

The intro is very smooth; "Bible scriptures on your left thigh, verses you don't really live by". 

9) Far Fetched" ft/ Ty Dolla $ign

This focuses on a partner's wishful long-term plans.

10) "Sooner or Later" ft/ Axlfolie

11) "Mutt"

A throwback vibe, the verses outshine a rather mediocre chorus.

12) "I Do"

This track doesn't really go anywhere.

13) "I Used To" ft/ Baby Rose 

There's a nice drum intro, "She said I used to have a heart, but I don't remember". This is the best feature on the album.

14) "Mutt" remix ft/ Freddie Gibbs

The remix adds some more flow to the original. 

"Mutt" had its ebbs and flows, but I found this to be largely a consistent effort from Leon Thomas. The album overall moved at a fairly nice pace. (78.8)

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8