If “GNX” had been released in May, it would have been the sound of the summer. But two weeks after its late-November debut, it’s bringing the same heat to the dead of winter.
Kendrick Lamar already captured the popular consciousness this summer during his beef with fellow rapper Drake. In many ways, “GNX” feels like a continuation of the bold, confrontational energy found in tracks like “Not Like Us” and “euphoria.”
The album’s tone is clear in “man at the garden,” where Lamar takes on a sincere and genuinely reflectful tone only to conclude, unapologetically, that he does deserve it all – a refrain repeated throughout the track.
Between the Spanish samples and references to the Dodgers, the album is clearly inspired by his home city of Los Angeles, and while more cultured writers could trace the artistic influence of each song directly, the overall effect is clear.
It’s full of absolute bangers.
“squabble up” and “tv off” lead the charge, claiming the No. 1 and 2 spots on the Billboard charts as of writing. Like “Not Like Us,” they demand radio play with punchy, fun beats that are impossible not to get excited about. When Lamar screams “mustard” (referring to popular producer DJ Mustard) during the beat switch on “tv off,” it’s not just a transition– it’s a battle cry.
But those aren’t the only standouts. Tracks like “peekaboo,” “gnx,” “hey now” and “luther” all hold their own as smooth, confident tracks. Any one of them could dominate the charts as a single. Having so many hits packed into one album feels almost unfair.
There is, however, a trade-off. “GNX” is not nearly as artistically or narratively complex as some of Lamar’s earlier projects. While his last album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, faced criticism for not having enough radio-friendly hits, “GNX” feels like a direct rebuttal to that critique.
Kendrick does touch on his story-telling abilities for a few tracks. The opener, “wacced out murals,” is probably the timeliest song on the album, addressing everything from the aftermath of his beef with Drake to COVID-19 and Project 2025. It skirts the line between energetic and politically charged, making it a tone-setter for the rest of the album.
The standout for me, though, is the Tupac-inspired track “reincarnated.” Here, Lamar traces his own spiritual evolution through the lives of previous Black icons, framing himself as a fallen angel akin to Lucifer before ending in a confrontation and a conversation with God.
It’s bold and experimental in a way that is both entirely expected from Lamar and no less impressive for it. Which of course doesn’t make it any less listenable. It’s the song I’ve found myself coming back to most over my many listens, enjoying peeling back new layers each time.
“GNX” is focused and direct in a way that feels welcome right now, almost slapping you in the face with its message. This is not a hard album to understand. What it is, is an album you can play wherever you want and not stop smiling for the next 40 minutes. Sometimes, that’s more than enough.