Taylor Lee

First let me start by saying I am a huge hip hop fan, and also a Kendrick Lamar fan. Just when I thought he couldn’t top To Pimp A Butterfly, he pulls out Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. This is the most honest, therapeutic, raw, and unique hip hop album I have ever heard and has quickly made it to my favorite albums of all time list. The production is fantastic, the use of strings and percussion give a cinematic feel that separates this project from all the other rap albums happening today. The narration from spiritual teacher Ekhart Tolle literally make you feel like you are listening in on Kendrick’s therapy sessions. Almost like you shouldn’t be hearing some of what he’s sharing but luckily he lets us. The way Kendrick is able to change his tone from punchy and fed up in songs like Father Time to gritty and emotional on Mother I Sober is exactly what makes Kendrick not only a great rapper but fantastic story teller. My personal favorite track is Auntie Diaries which is a song about his transgendered aunt, who played a major role in Kendrick’s life, even motivating him to be the artist he is today. Never have I heard this very controversial topic addressed in a rap song. I didn’t know it was a song that needed to be done in hip hop music but it absolutely is. Hip hop music isn’t always something that’s known for being vulnerable or honest but Kendrick showed that this can be done while creating a one of a kind listening experience for his fans. I don’t know what else to call his writing on this album other than courageous and will be talked about for years to come. All in all, you will cry, you will jam out, you will hear pieces of yourself and your darkest moments in parts of this album. Kendrick proved once again that he is the greatest.

In all honesty I have never been much of an Ariana Grande fanatic. Her talent is undeniable but her music wasn’t quite my type. I decided to give this a listen after hearing all the great reviews and I can absolutely say this is my favorite pop album so far and it’s gonna be hard to beat. Her vocals are stellar as usual, you can tell musical theatre has done her well. She carries each song with perfect diction and hitting insane notes with such ease. That being said, her way of story telling is also revealed in this project and I was left very impressed. This is absolutely not just an album but a heart felt story of love lost and starting over. It starts with the asking of a simple question, ‘how to know when you're with the right person?’and it ends a very wise yet simple answer from one of the most special people in Ariana‘s life. My personal favorites being We Can’t Be Friends, a dance anthem that ends with stunning strings, expressing what I sensed was a deep frustration with being misunderstood by the media but also open enough to be up to the listener’s interpretation. I Wish I Hated You as my second favorite for its gut wrenching expression of how easy ending a relationship would be if you hated the persons guts. Something we all have experienced after the ending of something you thought would last forever. You can hear the crack in her voice of how difficult something like this would be to record. I always appreciate her willingness to tell an honest point of view on a very vulnerable topic. My third being Eternal Sunshine, the way she layers harmonies and vocals on top of each other is reminiscent of imogen heap but with an added modern take. Super catchy and I find it stuck in my head often. There isn’t really a song I dislike or want to skip which is rare for me with pop music. I got to a point where I felt like I had heard it all until this. Overall, you will dance, you will cry, you will hear pieces of yourself in each song. Ms. Grande you out did yourself with this one. Congratulations.