untitled unmastered.
Every element of Kendrick Lamar’s *untitled unmastered.* tells you something about the Compton MC’s provocative, multi-layered genius. Take the contrast of the collection\'s ultra-generic title and its attention-grabbing, out-of-left-field release. Take the retro-futuristic, Funkadelic-inspired grooves that simmer under tracks like “untitled 02” and “untitled 06.” These are only the beginning of the album\'s hypnotic, nuanced nod to hip-hop’s deep roots and unstoppable political and expressive currency. Songs like “untitled 03” and “untitled 05”—with layered references, wild-eyed jazz solos, and cutting insight—continue Lamar\'s winning streak.
In execution, untitled unmastered. is the complete inverse of Kanye West's recent The Life of Pablo—it's a small and quiet statement from an artist with little to prove at this moment.
Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered is a master class in managing expectations. True to its title, each of the eight songs on Lamar’s surprise album is christened simply with a track number and a date, presumably (though not necessarily) signifying when they were recorded. Coupled with the no-frills packaging and…
Seminal, Grammy-winning MC drops unreleased music from his To Pimp a Butterfly LP that deals with issues of race, exploitation in music, poverty, and fame atop lush instrumentation.
“Look at my flaws, look at my flaws,” Kendrick Lamar pleads on “untitled 06,” wooing a lover by highlighting his…
If To Pimp a Butterfly wasn't proof enough, untitled unmastered. is further proof that Kendrick Lamar has entered his art phase. He's just b...
Archive collections and cutting room floor compilations can sometimes make for uneven listening. Sure, as standalone songs they may work perfectly fine,
The rapper’s follow-up to To Pimp a Butterfly is a collection of offcuts that dazzle with ideas