everything is a lot.

*everything is a lot.* marks Wale’s first full-length since his 2021 album *Folarin II*, titled after his nickname. While *everything is a lot.* shares some of the joyful DNA that courses through the project named after his alter ego, Wale Folarin, it showcases another side of the D.C.-born rapper’s personality—more introspective, alone, and yearning than ever before. Throughout the album, Wale works through relationship struggles while readily admitting that he’s part of (if not all of) the problem. On opener “Conundrum,” he notes that his heart is colder than most, before explaining why it’s this way: “My ex, I was in love with her/Passionate sex but couldn’t cuddle her/Tell me, was it lust or did I love for her?/Her clothes off, I’m closed off, which one is worse?” On “Power and Problems,” Wale croons over live drums and gentle keyboard chords. He implores himself to slow down, noting that life in the fast lane can get bumpy. It’s no surprise that he saves his most ferocious bars for “Michael Fredo,” a towering, horn-driven track that finds Wale reflecting on the many ways he’s been betrayed in the rap game. Over a beat that sounds like old-school Just Blaze, Wale sounds invigorated and vengeful, noting that “this rich and famous shit ain’t sustainable.” Throughout *everything is a lot.*, Wale makes it clear that the weight of the world is on his shoulders. He’s deflecting jealous exes, dealing with greedy ops, making sure his crew is taken care of. Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone would just let him rap?