It’s been Kendrick Lamar’s year and when we least (ish) expected it the Los Angeles based rapper decides to drop a surprise album, GNX, and what a surprise it is. Lamar has continually put out great records, from the jazz infused masterpiece How To Pimp a Butterfly and its follow up, the decidedly low key in comparison but still hard hitting DAMN, we’ve come to expect great things from him. This year the focus has been on a certain diss track, one that got nominated for some Grammys, that placed itself in the pantheon of online discourse while shaking rumps at the club. Here on GNX though Lamar remains sharp focused. The album showcases his immaculate flow and a decidedly updated version of classic Cali hip hop production. It’s one of the better hip hop releases of the year. Chock full of raw lyricism as well as hooks that will work their way into your head for days.

Named after the Buick Regal model car that Lamar has said was the same vehicle his father drove him home from the hospital after his birth, GNX is Lamar’s most concise record to date. it’s a personal collection of tracks. On “Heart Pt. 6” Lamar speaks on his split from his former label Top Dawg and his wanting to take his career in his own hands. Over a loopy, sultry beat Lamar raps about gain affection for the crew involved with TDE but also reveals, “I guess my motivation was the yearning’ for independence/Poured everything I had left in the family business/Now it’s about Kendrick, I wanna evolve, place my skillset as a Black exec.” This sentiment runs through the album. It feels like, as enveloping and personal as his other release have been, GNX is the sound of a performer and business person stepping out on his own. The track “squabble up” is the records best bet as a huge single. Featuring a sample from the Debbie Deb track “When I Hear Music” the song is a certified G-Funk classic. Even the video contains references to Lamar’s hometown of Compton and some Menace II Society and some dancers performing Compton street gang walks.

As with any Kendrick Lamar release there’s a ton to dig into. For the super fan there’s so much personal anecdotes and revelations on top of the outstanding production courtesy of Sounwave, Mustard and even Jack Antonoff. Regardless of how you side I this seasons infamous beef, this collection of songs is well worth your time and another example of a singular voice who doesn’t need any of us to help gas up his GNX.

Order GNX by Kendrick Lamar HERE