Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is a bold and reflective album, marking his first full-length project since Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. The 12-song record features guest appearances from artists like SZA, Dody6, and Deyra Barrera, blending personal and societal themes under Kendrick’s unique perspective. Here are some key tracks:
Luther: This soulful track samples Cheryl Lynn’s If This World Were Mine, mixing topics of love, vulnerability, and longing with deep emotional resonance. A sample I recognized immediately: I love the collaboration with SZA on the song, which makes it all the better.
Man at the Garden: The song is about growth, decisions, and replanting oneself when faced with difficult situations. What attracted me to this song was the lyrics more than the beat. The lyrics give a very profound feeling of self-love and pride.
TV Off (feat. Lefty Gunplay): This song critiques modern media culture, promoting disconnection from the screen that controls our lives so that we can reconnect with more meaningful things.
Heart Pt. 6: Sampling SWV’s 1996 R&B song “Use Your Heart” delves deep into emotion and relationships with his former group and label, furthering the trend in Lamar’s vulnerability. This song is a favorite simply because of how he used the sample.
Gloria: Gloria might be the emotional core of the album, dealing with love, loss, and reconciliation. Co-written by Kendrick and SZA, the title could be a person, an idea, or even a metaphor for inner peace or redemption. The song might offer a sense of closure or reflection, tying together the album’s personal and societal themes with a more reflective and tender tone.
This album may be the most poetically emotional cut; it shows continued growth in Lamar as a lyricist and storyteller. Overall, GNX captures Kendrick Lamar’s musical evolution through conscious lyricism, diverse productions, and strong features in his continued discussion of internal reflection and societal ills.