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