By: Kevan Maloney 
Staff Writer

Two years after his last album, Kendrick Lamar returns better than ever with his latest release: “DAMN.”. He brings a fresh take on his career by making an album that sounds much more modern than any other album he has made to date. Despite how original this album is compared to his earlier work, Lamar still highlights and brings out his highly thematic lyrics and his unmatched flow, for which he is best known. While his lyrics are second to none, his ability to perform them is better than ever.

The first song released from this album was “HUMBLE.” which became an instant hit, with his high-powered rapping skills combined with a rags-to-riches storyline. It’s the perfect song to use as the frontline for the album.

After listening to this album a few times, some songs seem to shine more than the rest. It comes to no surprise that “LOYALTY. FEAT.
RIHANNA.” is one of the best on the album. Lamar brings Rihanna into the song and lets her show off her best qualities and mixes it with his best, this created an instant hit.

“DAMN.” is Lamar’s fourth studio album, featuring 14 songs. Unlike his previous albums, “DAMN.” has no skits.This album came out of left field for those who weren’t paying attention. It took a little over two weeks from the release of the frontline single to the release of the full album.

Compared to rest of his albums, “DAMN.” is almost as imaginative as “To Pimp a Butterfly,” while sounding nothing it by abandoning the styles of his previous works. “DAMN.”, follows the tropes of early and modern rap, as opposed to the jazz inspired album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” “DAMN.” takes on a more violent tone as he verbally duels with several artists and public figures, making for some of his hardest hitting songs on this album.

This album isn’t the best Lamar has made, yet it is still one of the best albums on the market. It’s an amazing and imaginative album, though it’s missing the same quality in the middle of the album, which would have made it extraordinary.

Contact the author at kmaloney15@wou.edu