Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers / Kendrick Lamar / May 13, 2022
- Joshua Yoo
- Jul 19, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 22, 2022
After a long hiatus, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers reveals just how much Kendrick Lamar has endured since we’ve last heard from him, how difficult it’s always been for him really, and how much he’s trying to grow and change as a person and father.
Disc 1 sees an all-encompassing takedown on a multitude of personal and identity topics, whether it be the dissuasion of materialism on “N95”, or the aftermath of his relationship with his father on “Father Time”, or especially the brutal art-imitating-life conversation on “We Cry Together”. There is a bit more fire and tenacity to Disc 1 performances, perhaps bearing the weight of the anger and frustration that Kendrick is trying to let out.
Disc 2 is more of a hopeful and liberating shade of the previous disc, trying to work through on a lot of the issues posited. Holistically though, Kendrick’s pen is still as sharp as it’s always been, finding the pockets of potent lyricism, vivid storytelling, and earworm hooks frequently across the album.
To maintain his artistic proficiency on an album so personal, heavy and inward is a rather incredible feat, but not one that many can put past Kendrick at this point. It’s a treat to be let inside his inner life, trusted with his darkest thoughts, and shown that the people we idolize are human too.
Highlight(s): Father Time, Savior, N95, Purple Hearts, Mother I Sober, United In Grief, Silent Hill, Auntie Diaries
Lowlight(s): Count Me Out, Crown
SCORE: 8/10
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