2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Let God Sort Em Out" - Clipse

 

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.

"Let God Sort Em Out" - Clipse

1) "The Birds Don't Sing" (ft/ John Legend and Voices of Fire):

A track full of remorse; "The birds don't sing, they screech in pain".

2) Chains & Whips" (ft/ Kendrick Lamar):

There's a rock style production. Overall this feels fresh, with a furiously paced close; "Misery's fueling your aggression".

3)  "P.O.V" (ft/ Tyler, the Creator)

Slowed down & calmer, though the flow feels slightly off.

4) "So Be It"

There's a Middle Eastern sound.

5) "Ace Trumpets"

A very smooth beat.

6) "All Things Considered" (ft/ The-Dream and Pharrell Williams)

There's a nice transition into this track; "The only sin left is to flirt with vengeance".

7) "M.T.B.T.T.F"

This brings about a 90s vibe.

8) "E.B.I.T.D.A" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

While quicker paced, this feels a bit like a throw-in.

9) "F.I.C.O" (ft/ Stove God Cooks)

Again we see a slowed down tempo, going along with the pacing of this album.

10) "Inglorious Bastards" (ft/ Ab-Liva)

This brings about a different vibe; "I'm allergic to anything other than money behavior".

11) "So Far Ahead" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

There's a soulful/gospel feel in the opening, with some very clever wording.

12) "Let God Sort Em Out/ Chandeliers" (ft/ Nas)

There's an interesting switch-up midway though.

13) "By The Grace of God" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)

This feels like a triumphant close to the album; "Escape the odds by the grace of God".

This is a fascinating album. It both feels new & unique, while also providing a throwback vibe to 90s hip hop. As I mentioned in the body of the review, its also really well paced (and not overtly lengthy). (82.1)

Lady Gaga "Mayhem" - 86.5

Bad Bunny "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos" - 84.5

Kendrick Lamar "GNX" - 84.1

Sabrina Carpenter "Man's Best Friend" - 82.4

Clipse "Let God Sort Em Out" - 82.1

Leon Thomas "Mutt" - 78.8

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Mayhem" - Lady Gaga

 

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.

"Mayhem" - Lady Gaga

(Interscope Records)

1) Disease:

Immediately brings you into the atmosphere of the upcoming album with a classic Gaga sound; "if you were a sinner I could make you believe".

2) Abracadabra:

Intensely catchy. The pre-chorus itself tells a story.

3) Garden Of Eden:

There are some of Gaga's classic cadences.

4) Perfect Celebrity:

This deals with the spotlight of fame and idolization; "I look so hungry, but I look so good....tap on my vein, suck on my diamond blood". The production is practically perfect.

5) Vanish Into You:

The intro starts off with a power ballad vibe.

6) Killah (ft/ Gesaffelstein):

There's certainly a funk (Prince) vibe that fits really well. The breakdown builds on itself.

7) Zombieboy:

There's sort of a Gwen Stefani (Hollabackgirl) inspired sound. 

8) LoveDrug:

She wants to find a way to numb herself.

9) How Bad Do U Want Me:

Getting the obvious out of the way, this is very Taylor Swift coded, but with Gaga's own flair. And its not just the sound, but the structure of the chorus.  Its fun seeing Lady Gaga with a pure pop song.

10) Don't Call Tonight:

Some notable lines; "We twist the knife too many times to say goodbye".

11) Shadow Of A Man:

Very Michael Jackson coded, she really delivers on the fast paced chorus. She doesn't want to be in the background.

12) The Beast:

There's a driving/building tempo. A classic rock vibe with some powerful vocals.

13) Blade Of Grass:

A James Bond-esque ballad. Not necessarily among the top tracks of the album, but its a vibe switch.

14) Die With A Smile (ft/ Bruno Mars):

Sonically this works following "Blade Of Grass", but overall when considering the album this feels like a throw-in to produce a hit.

Not that she needed a comeback, but this album sees Lady Gaga going back to some of her early work, but still with some added flair. Its fun seeing her take on some inspired sounds, like Prince, Taylor Swift and MJ for example. (86.5)

Lady Gaga "Mayhem" - 86.5

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

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6

2026 Grammy's Album Review: "Chromakopia" - Tyler, The Creator

 

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.

"Chromakopia" - Tyler, The Creator

(Columbia Records)

1) St. Chroma (ft/ Daniel Caesar):

With a spoken word intro, it starts off with whispered vocals; "give a fuck about traditions, stop impressing the dead". This opener feels a bit disjointed and disconnected.

2) Rah Tah Tah:

The writing is clever; "if my ex is spilling tea about me, don't you drink that".

3) Noid:

This track provides a bit of a switch-up, with a sort of Kravitz vibe. Overall this centers on paranoia.

4) Darling, I (ft/ Teezo Touchdown):

The opening of this one feels more like a ballad; "One option for everybody? Don't you lie to me".

5) Hey Jane:

Dealing with the choice of an impending pregnancy, we see the partners going back & forth in the verses, "lets pretend we got no one to tell".

6) I Killed You:

There's a nice early flow, but the switch-up midway feels abrupt.

7) Judge Judy:

The beat is interesting, but the writing is so corny, and it drags on and on.

8) Sticky (ft/ GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne)

With heavy percussion, the instrumentals are far more interesting/intriguing than the sub-par lyrics.

9) Take Your Mask Off (ft/ Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams):

This is about being yourself and not hiding one's self.

10) Tomorrow:

With a nice guitar, this deals with thinking about the future.

11) Thought I Was Dead (ft/ Schoolboy Q and Santigold):

This has an interesting march/funk vibe.

12) Like Him (ft/ Lola Young):

This track drags on.

13) Balloon (ft/ Doechii):

With a synth-pop opening, Doechii brings some much needed energy.

14) I Hope You Find Your Way Home:

There's a nice synth breakdown.

I found this overall to be a bit up and down. Chromakopia has its high moments though. (78.4)

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

Tyler, The Creator "Chromakopia" - 78.4

Justin Bieber "Swag" - 69.6