November 2024

Monthly Reviews | November 2024

For the final monthly review of 2024, I listened to five new projects. The month began with another release from Griselda, this time from the label’s founder, Westside Gunn. His latest project follows the disappointing album And Then You Pray For Me, which was released last year. We’ll see if his new project, Still Praying, fares any better. A week later, Ab-Soul released his latest mixtape, Soul Burger, dedicated to the memory of his good friend DoeBurger, who passed away in 2022.

Cordae dropped his third studio album, The Crossroads. His debut, The Lost Boy, was excellent, but his sophomore album, From a Bird’s Eye View, fell short. I was eager to see if he would turn things around with this latest effort. Another project I was eagerly anticipating was FLO’s debut album, Access All Areas. The group gained traction with their 2022 EP The Lead, which featured their first successful single, "Cardboard Box." Since I enjoyed their first EP, I was curious to see if they could deliver with their debut album.

Lastly, before the month ended, Kendrick Lamar released his brand-new album, GNX. Already having a stellar year, capped by his victory over Drake, I was eager to find out if GNX would be the final great highlight in an incredible year for the Compton rapper.

Westside Gunn — Still Praying

Release Date — 1st November

The latest mixtape from Griselda Records founder Westside Gunn is his sixteenth project. Last year, Westside had a disappointing release with And Then You Pray For Me, an album that attempted to lean more into a Trap-inspired sound, perhaps aiming for a more commercially viable direction. Unfortunately, this shift didn’t quite resonate. In contrast, Still Praying sees Westside return to his original sound, resulting in a much stronger project. Hosted by DJ Drama, this trend has become increasingly popular among artists, especially following Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost.

The mixtape features phenomenal production from the likes of Statik Selektah, Daringer, and Denny LaFlare. Notable tracks include the dark and gritty "Speedy 40" and "Duran Duran," while "Beef Bar" has a more dreamy, blissful vibe that complements Westside’s high-pitched, menacing voice and iconic ad-libs. The mixtape also contains a really enjoyable posse cut from some of the main faces that we have heard from Griselda. This includes Stove God Cooks, Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine and Boldy James on “Still Praying”. Additionally, Rome Streetz—who dropped a fantastic project this year with Hatton Garden Holdup—delivers a strong feature on "Underground King."

While it must be noted that Still Praying largely sticks to the familiar boom-bap sound that fans have come to expect from Westside and Griselda, it continues to hit the mark. Still Praying only contains a small amount of filler with “Dr. Britt Baker” and “I Know Verdy” falling in the background, whilst “Free Shots” with Conway consists of really unbearable production work with the sample voiced being incredibly distracting. Aside from those records and overall, Still Praying from Westside Gunn has the Buffalo rapper returning to form and he has probably put out one of the best projects from Griselda this year, along with Rome Streetz’s Hatton Garden Holdup and Boldy James’ Across The Tracks.

Ab-Soul — Soul Burger

Release Date — 8th November

We waited six years for Ab-Soul's last project, Herbert—released in 2022—but fortunately, we didn’t have to wait as long for a follow-up. Soul’s latest mixtape, Soul Burger, is dedicated to his close friend Armon ‘DoeBurger’ Stringer, who passed away in the same year Herbert dropped. DoeBurger’s presence is felt throughout the mixtape, with his voice appearing in various parts of the project, reflecting the deep influence of his spirit on the album. Overall, Soul Burger is a solid mixtape, surpassing Herbert in quality, though it still doesn’t touch the greatness of 2012’s Control System.

The album starts off really well with “9 Mile”, sampling Soul II Soul’s classic single “Back To Life”. Ab-Soul essentially raps as if his life is dependent on it in both parts of the song, as he channels Eminem’s battle rap verse towards Papa Doc in the 2002 movie 8 Mile. From Carson, California - Soul showcases his West Coast influence on “All That” featuring Jason Martin and Thirsty P. The song consists of a really catch chorus, and though quite dark sonically it still has the classic West Coast bounce with its production. The next track, “California Dream” featuring Vince Staples and Kamm Carson, is another standout, with all three artists reflecting on their pasts in their verses.

Speaking of features Soul Burger isn’t short of them, with my favourites being the already mentioned Vince Staples, Fre$h who has a really good back and forth delivery with Soul on “Don Julio 70”, but the best feature on the whole project is JID on “Crazier” who showcases excellent rhyme patterns on his verse. Other particular tracks that are highlights on the project among others include “Saudi Sweets” and the last track “Righteous Man”.

While there are many positives on Soul Burger, it’s not without its flaws. For example, the second track, “Paiday,” feels like a low point due to its chaotic production and vocal delivery, which clash rather than complement each other. Another track that could have been left off is “Go Pro” featuring Ty Dolla $ign; it stands out as one of the least interesting songs on the mixtape. The last example I will provide is “Notorious N.I.Q.”, which suffers from the worst hook on the whole project. Despite these few missteps, Soul Burger remains an enjoyable listen for most of its runtime. It strikes a balance between laid-back tracks, more upbeat cuts, to songs where you can just enjoy the rapping. At this point, Soul Burger could be my favourite project from Ab-Soul since Control System.

Cordae — The Crossroads

Release Date — 15th November

The new album from Cordae marks the artist’s third release, following 2019’s The Lost Boy and 2022’s From a Bird’s Eye View. As a part of the YBN crew, which included YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay, Cordae stood out as the most talented on the microphone. So much so, that it was actually odd that he was a part of the group musically. After the release of his Grammy-nominated debut, The Lost Boy, I saw Cordae as having the potential to become one of the key rappers of the next decade. His 2021 EP, Just Until…, further cemented this belief, as it was another solid project. However, since then, Cordae hasn’t lived up to my prediction. While many, including myself, enjoyed his debut album, his sophomore effort was, unfortunately, a significant disappointment. Even Cordae himself admitted in a tweet that his debut was better than his second album.

In that tweet, he stated that he had something to prove with his next album and that he would "do better next time." Sadly, instead of improving, Cordae has released an even weaker project. Although I can appreciate the vulnerability in the project and how Cordae opens up in his music, there’s not much sonically that draws me back to the album or excites me to hit the repeat button. If I were to describe my reaction to most of the album’s songs, I would say I simply shrugged and thought they were okay. There’s nothing inherently wrong with tracks like “06 Dreamin’,” “Mad as Fuck,” and “Never Seen It” featuring Juicy J. However, there’s nothing special or memorable about them either. If someone played them, I wouldn’t be upset, but they wouldn’t stand out to me, nor would I go out of my way to listen to them. This sentiment applies to almost half of the album, if you exclude the intro.

There is hardly a handful of songs that I did enjoy. The first being “Summer Drop” featuring Anderson .Paak who is featured twice on the album. He’s also featured on the last track, “Two Tens”, and Anderson has two great features on the album. On “Two Tens” it has Cordae and Anderson going back and forth really well on the verses, whilst Anderson also provides an enjoyable chorus. The best song on the album is “Syrup Sandwiches” featuring Joey Bada$$, I enjoyed both rappers on the song and Joey flows really well. Produced by Smoke Ono and Thelonius Martin, the track also boasts the best instrumental on the entire album. Lastly, I enjoyed “No Bad News” with Kanye West, who offers an uplifting and joyous chorus.

After two back-to-back disappointments, I question whether I was initially blinded by Cordae’s distinctiveness during the era he emerged. Coming out in 2018, at the height of the Mumble Rap era, Cordae stood out as a young rapper in his early twenties, steering away from the prevailing trends of the time. While artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti led the Mumble Rap movement, and there was a noticeable disconnect between newer and older rappers, Cordae distinguished himself by focusing on lyricism and showcasing his appreciation for the Golden Age of Hip-Hop. Now, in 2024, with phenomenal projects from artists like Tyler, The Creator, Vince Staples, and Doechii, and with the Mumble Rap era behind us, Cordae no longer seems to stand out as much.

Flo — Access All Areas

Release Date — 15th November

The new debut album from the British R&B trio FLO finally arrived in November. The group first made a name for themselves in 2022 with their well-received EP, The Lead, which featured the successful single "Cardboard Box." They continued this momentum with their second EP, 3 Of Us, which was also well-received. During R&B’s heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, fans enjoyed a wealth of great groups. However, in recent years, this hasn’t been the case, as R&B groups have largely ceased to exist. FLO seemed to breathe new life into the genre, filling a void with their enjoyable and catchy songs.

The excitement surrounding the trio was well-deserved, especially with the anticipation of their debut album, Access All Areas (AAA). Unfortunately, the direction and sound of AAA didn’t quite meet my expectations. Much of the album’s material fails to stand out, with only a few exceptions scattered throughout the sixteen-track LP. Among these are “Check,” an upbeat song with a simple yet effective chorus, and the eleventh track, “Caught Up,” which focuses on an unfaithful partner and features what might be the group’s best vocal performance on the album. The "Trustworthy" interlude showcases another strong vocal effort, while “Get It Till I’m Gone” is an enjoyable pop-R&B song.

Several tracks, though not standout hits, are still listenable. For instance, the final song, "I’m Just a Girl," is commendable for its sonic difference from the rest of the album, though it becomes tiresome as it progresses. Other tracks in this category include "Soft" and "IWH2BMX." However, AAA also contains songs that are entirely forgettable. "In My Bag," featuring GloRilla, is one such track. GloRilla’s feature feels out of place and doesn’t blend well with the song, though her inclusion is understandable given her status as one of the most successful female hip-hop artists currently.

AAA suffers most from its lack of uniqueness. The album feels too safe in both production and content, relying on the same established and tired formulas seen in the work of artists like Victoria Monét, Bryson Tiller, and Chlöe. I had hoped for something more different—perhaps more innovative, or at the very least, something that could revive the vibe and feeling that R&B has been missing for quite some time. In short, I was looking for music that could resonate on a deeper level and stand out amidst the sea of familiar sounds.

Kendrick Lamar — GNX

Release Date — 22nd November

Kendrick Lamar has had an incredible year—arguably one of the best years a hip-hop artist has ever experienced. Earlier this year, he emerged victorious from a heated rap battle with Drake, thanks to the massive hit "Not Like Us." Following his win, Lamar held a triumphant concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. He was later announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl in September, and now he has released one of the year's best albums with his latest effort, GNX.

Previous albums from the Compton rapper, such as good kid, m.A.A.d. city, To Pimp a Butterfly and his last album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers either involved a concept or they were centred around important themes such as self-reflection, social and racial injustice. However, GNX breaks from this pattern. It doesn't revolve around a specific concept or centralized theme. Instead, it's a collection of great songs suited for various moods and vibes.

The album offers party anthems that energize the crowd, like "Squabble Up" and "TV Off," featuring Lefty Gunplay. It also includes smoother, melodic tracks with R&B influences, such as "Luther," which features former TDE labelmate SZA. Lamar's storytelling prowess shines in "The Heart Pt. 6" and "Gloria," which also features SZA. GNX feels like a love letter to Los Angeles and the West Coast—the region that raised and influenced him. "Squabble Up," for example, draws from the iconic West Coast sub-genres of G-Funk and Hyphy. The track even samples Debbie Deb's 1984 freestyle "When I Hear Music," adding an '80s Electro vibe, a genre that was hugely popular in Los Angeles during that era.

Additionally, the album contains multiple features of up and coming West Coast artists, from the likes of Lefty Gunplay, AzChike and Dody6. Showcasing how Kendrick is now the West Coast veteran, who is shining a light on the Coast’s new talents. Lefty Gunplay might have a really small feature at the end of “TV Off”, but has one of the catchiest parts on the song. Dody6 goes back and forth with Kendrick on “Hey Now”, whilst AzChike is another feature highlight on “Peakaboo”.

“Reincarnated” further showcases the West Coast love, as it contains a sample of 2Pac and The Outlawz’s “Made Ni**as”. The song is masterfully written, as Lamar raps from the perspectives of R&B guitarist John Lee Hooker and jazz singer Billie Holiday, before transitioning to a dialogue between himself and God. The track explores the impact of fame and the importance of using influence positively, rather than being corrupted by it. Lamar's exceptional storytelling continues with "The Heart Pt. 6," the latest in his ongoing series, where he reflects on his early years with TDE and his more recent experiences after leaving the label. The closing track, "Gloria," at first seems to be a love song, but it’s actually about Lamar’s relationship with his musical craft and songwriting. He likens this relationship to a romantic one, complete with highs and lows, expressing how writing brought him solace, yet also detailing the struggles of writer’s block.

GNX closes out what has been a fantastic year for the West Coast MC, some naysayers have criticised Kendrick by saying he lacks the ability to produce catchy hit records, but 2024 has silenced those critics. With “Not Like Us” being the song of the summer, and GNX possessing multiple great catchy songs. As mentioned previously, the album doesn’t have a concept and doesn’t focus on specific themes. This could disappoint those who always want that from Kendrick, however not every release needs to have that. Sometimes, an album full of great music that you can enjoy from start to finish is enough—and GNX delivers just that.