Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
by Kendrick Lamar
  • Record Label: pgLang
  • Release Date: May 13, 2022
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 1481 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,343 out of 1481
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 1481
  3. Negative: 96 out of 1481
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  1. ScissorS666
    Jul 4, 2022
    10
    Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god Kendrick Lamar is god
  2. Uzyuzy
    Jul 6, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Kendrick Lamar must be the number one contender for greatest artist of all time, This album cemented that, after what he did with Good kid MAAd City (which is the greatest album of all time)… Expand
  3. sshtrfmv
    Jul 8, 2022
    10
    this album will be the best album of the year. Tracks "we cry together" and "savior" are so emotional. Like it
  4. FreddySam_
    Jul 15, 2022
    9
    This is something I've been craving, ever since it was announced. Kendrick Lamar, Rapper, Poet, "Prophet", and Modern Hip Hop Great, has been one of my favourite artists to Ever exist. 'To Pimp A Butterfly' and 'Good Kid Maad City' are definite all time favourites for me, and I think 'Untitled Unmastered' and 'Section 80' are phenomenal landmarks in Hip Hop of the last decade in my humbleThis is something I've been craving, ever since it was announced. Kendrick Lamar, Rapper, Poet, "Prophet", and Modern Hip Hop Great, has been one of my favourite artists to Ever exist. 'To Pimp A Butterfly' and 'Good Kid Maad City' are definite all time favourites for me, and I think 'Untitled Unmastered' and 'Section 80' are phenomenal landmarks in Hip Hop of the last decade in my humble opinion. "Mr Morale And The Big Steppers" is his first album since his 2017 hit "DAMN." An album that I didn't love as much as I wanted to, and have only got less interested in over the years. But, I was Highly looking forward to this album nonetheless, and I am not disappointed and quite Love. But, not immediately though, This is an album, that from my first listen, I knew required some extra time to digest and appreciate the details. Even more so than Complex albums like TPAB, due to the sudden shift he's made here, both sonically and substantially. The album is kind of a mess, that doesn't really give you a constant sonic pallette like his previous classics, Nor does it have a coherent storyline. It's kind of similar to DAMN in that respect, but also has less radio appeal. This is what I think resulted in the relatively poor reception at the beginning by a lot of fans, since it doesn't hit you at the head with a certain appeal right off the bat.

    But, I think what makes this a Must listen and singularity in his catalogue, is it's fantastic expressiveness and Instability of psyche. It finds Kendrick in a constant sense of instability and vulnerability. This leads in him not being able to come to a conclusion in either the sound palette or the thematic ideas of the record. It's immersively dizzy as the album flips from jazzy piano instrumentation and strings and Hard bass drops and trap with no warning. The Opener "United In Grief" is a fantastic example of this, and also indirectly prepares you for whatever the rest of the record has in store for the listeners in terms of it's sound. While this does clearly lead in the album being all over the place and kinda inconsistent, it also makes it very unpredictable, and It's a much more coherent and consistent mess than, say, DAMN. It also has much more purpose to it as well.

    The album shows the introspective side of Kendrick yet, and it doesn't hold you back at that. It is quite exactly the therapy session of Kendrick, that runs unpredictably through topics ranging from Anxiety, Depression to Fatherhood and Sin. I love the Opener "United In Grief" and the following banger "N95". I also love "The Worldwide Steppers" and it's very monotonous and moody instrumental, and the focus set so well on Kendrick, as he delivers some very reflective poetry with some very creative flows. "Die Hard" being a melodic track, is one that I still think miles and leaps ahead of the ones on DAMN like "LOVE." The very beautiful features by blxst and Amanda Reifer make it a very enjoyable cut. And "Father Time" sees Kendrick reflecting on his responsibilities as a father, and acknowledges his issues in it as well, and Sampha gives a fantastic hook, making up for a classy and cinematic cut. "Rich Spirit" has a very breezy and atmospheric instrumental, topped by some great melodic lines by Kendrick, and I love the thoughtful poetry too.

    "We Cry Together" adds a bit more layer to the very theatric and cinematic tone of the record, with it's very eerie alchemist beat, and Intense, Dramatic performances from Kendrick and Taylor Paigue. I also love how it adds to the Instability of Kendrick on the record. "Count Me Out" is a great introduction to the second disk, which immediately sets for a more hopeful and less unstable tone to it, which I think is also very relative to it's themes. "Savior" is a very cinematic cut, with some fantastic features from Baby Keem and Sam Dew, and also has Kendrick acknowledging that he really isn't a saviour, which he "made people feel like", but he really isn't. "Auntie Diaries" feature some phenomenal storytelling and cinematic string buliding string embellishments. I do acknowledge the slur controversy here, But I really am not on the demographic who can comment on it, But the fantastic meaning and it's expression makes it a career highlight for me. "Mr. Morale" is a very interesting cut, that features some dark James Blake-ish Psychedelic arps, that are weirdly immersive. "Mother I Sober" is the most introspective and emotional cut on the record, giving it much more depth and emotional potency. And "Mirror" ia a fitting outro to the record.

    The album is also clearly very all over the place, and while it's mostly coherent at that, it does feel choppy at more than enough points. I also think, it could feel kind of incomplete for a double record, and is paced weirdly. But, Keeping aside it's little inconsistencies and incoherence, "Mr Morale & The Big Steppers" is a very important addition to Kendrick Lamar' respected catalogue, that sees him at his most human.    … Expand
  5. MKUltra7
    Jul 17, 2022
    10
    Album of the year surely. Kendrick has now solidified his GOAT status with this album.
  6. DannYukon
    Aug 1, 2022
    10
    His most personal and experimental album to date. Kendrick Lamar comes back to give us another reason why he's considered the best in the genre.

    With songs like "United in Grief", "Auntie Diaries", and "Mother I Sober" these songs are incredibly therapeutic and gems to what's already a legendary discography. A lot of loose ends find their conclusion on this album. From Kendricks days    His most personal and experimental album to date. Kendrick Lamar comes back to give us another reason why he's considered the best in the genre.

    With songs like "United in Grief", "Auntie Diaries", and "Mother I Sober" these songs are incredibly therapeutic and gems to what's already a legendary discography.

    A lot of loose ends find their conclusion on this album. From Kendricks days in Compton, his woes from TBAP, and is self doubt in DAMN. Mr Morale & The Big Steppers sees a new Kendrick who has learned to grow and accept his past, and work towards a brighter future. With a mesh of stage music, and cinematic sound this album is truly a masterpiece.    … Expand
  7. lgopaul24
    Aug 6, 2022
    7
    The album differs from what I was expecting but has a deep meaning. In my opinion, not a perfect ten, but it was good enough for a 7.
  8. daniflag
    Aug 20, 2022
    9
    More commercial than others Kendrick's albuns like DAMN and TPBAB, with no much talking experimental beats, but is so good.
  9. JkXclusive
    Aug 21, 2022
    10
    A future classic and this one just confirms to me that he's in fact the greatest rapper of all time. The storytelling, the production, the many layers of this album and the vulnerability of Kenny are all on another level. An undisputed and not to be debated stellar discography in the 21st century that can't be duplicated. This **** made me tear up a bit towards the end with Mother I Sober.A future classic and this one just confirms to me that he's in fact the greatest rapper of all time. The storytelling, the production, the many layers of this album and the vulnerability of Kenny are all on another level. An undisputed and not to be debated stellar discography in the 21st century that can't be duplicated. This **** made me tear up a bit towards the end with Mother I Sober. I have Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers neck and neck with its predecessor album DAMN. in my top 3 album interchangeable at number 2 and 3 respectively!… Expand
  10. ianlindodemais
    Nov 11, 2022
    10
    quase chorei escutando, um dos melhores albuns que ouvi, muito bom jesus cristo
  11. aidansangle
    Oct 31, 2022
    10
    Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is beautiful. The storytelling within this album is incredible, showing a much deeper side of rap. Kendrick describes trauma of his past, as well as his sex addiction that nearly tore his life apart. He describes how he has become a better person through experience, choosing humanity over religion in the case of his uncle and cousin, as well as touching onMr. Morale & the Big Steppers is beautiful. The storytelling within this album is incredible, showing a much deeper side of rap. Kendrick describes trauma of his past, as well as his sex addiction that nearly tore his life apart. He describes how he has become a better person through experience, choosing humanity over religion in the case of his uncle and cousin, as well as touching on things that are typically tough to talk about like the f-slur and n-word. He briefly touches on how he notices that many rappers have been made from abuse, and even describes his anger towards the situation before setting himself free. This album is incredibly emotionally impactful, more-so than any other album in history in my opinion. This album must be heard by the masses.… Expand
  12. Tubbs
    Oct 2, 2022
    8
    Kendrick floats on every beat of the album. As I listen to it more and more and dig deeper and deeper into the symbolism and meaning I fall more and more in love with it.
  13. ebbo
    Oct 24, 2022
    10
    One of the top albums this year. Kendrick Lamar comes back from his hiatus with one of his better albums. This album especially deals with Kendrick's emotions in some of his best story-telling.
  14. Punfisito
    Oct 26, 2022
    10
    Un mensaje muy profundo, que se logra transmitir con una buena producción y letra que consiguen crear un proyecto denso pero a la vez sólido.
  15. Malakamartinez
    Nov 15, 2022
    7
    This is a good one. Not his best and I genuinely think that he's getting a little bit repetitive but, overall, he's one of the greats, the best since 2014-2015. Some songs are really boring, I have to admit. Some others are already classics. Decent 7/10 for me.
  16. nvvh96
    Dec 16, 2022
    8
    8.3/10 - Great album coming off of a 5-year hiatus. Wasn't too crazy about it the first listen but after a while it grew on me learning the different sides and what each song has in store. Well, I don't think it's Grammy winning level, this project is something that relates to a lot of people, and many can reflect.
  17. JonBon
    Jan 9, 2023
    9
    very different from his previous in both sound and theme but it shows his development during the course of the 2 discs
  18. JoshBrown_
    Dec 23, 2022
    8
    This album was a huge step forward from “DAMN”. The emotion Kendrick puts into this album I have not felt since TPAB. There are some commercial flows on the first half of the album but the latter half really pulls it all together. It’s not a perfect album but it’s a good comeback after a long time off. 8.5/10
  19. BeanBags
    Dec 27, 2022
    7
    While it is certainly weaker than his previous works, Mr Morale fails to disspaoint, with a thougtful concept and brilliant songwriting. Kendrick continues to assert himself as one of the greatest rap artists of all time.
  20. Blonisco
    Jan 26, 2023
    8
    抛开自己的内心，但是不喜欢有几首……emmmm凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数凑字数
  21. visiblybillie
    Apr 12, 2023
    9
    Kendrick returns to form: a portrait of raw, real intimacy delving into the nooks and crannies of black masculinity often overlooked in mainstream hip hop. Stepping into his post-TDE era, Lamar seeks to find himself in an album that cannot be defined by one concept or sound, traversing the genres of neo-Jazz, old-school hip-hop, trap, and R&B alike to produce a deeply emotional record thatKendrick returns to form: a portrait of raw, real intimacy delving into the nooks and crannies of black masculinity often overlooked in mainstream hip hop. Stepping into his post-TDE era, Lamar seeks to find himself in an album that cannot be defined by one concept or sound, traversing the genres of neo-Jazz, old-school hip-hop, trap, and R&B alike to produce a deeply emotional record that may lack his usual technical mastery but evokes true feeling.… Expand
  22. Diego_19
    Jan 31, 2023
    9
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  23. j444cks
    Mar 2, 2023
    9
    Great album. Well thought out, and well executed. Truly a masterpiece in Lamar's already fantastic discography!!!
  24. VanZizek
    Mar 6, 2023
    9
    It was difficult to listen to the first time because of my expectations after "The Hart pt.5" but as I started to understand its structure I could realize that it is half of the album, the second part of "DAMN." and at the same time a new project post-covid and for his family.
  25. SleepyHal0
    Mar 24, 2023
    9
    I love how Kendrick talks about his childhood trauma in a way that was not hurtful, I love the beats and the production was amazing to.
  26. ChiIIaoi
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que eu dei pro album:
    album mt bom, agora só escrever pra passar dos 75 caracteres.
  27. Swiifitie
    May 21, 2023
    10
    Que album! Sempre entregando, e que capa maravilhosa desse álbum. Letra e beats 10/10
  28. kaka_mota09
    Jun 26, 2023
    8
    Some of the highest highs of Kendrick career but very inconsistent., mother i sober is samidot 2,0 and the heart pt5 is perfect but other songs are just not it
  29. EER14
    Aug 29, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album talks in a more introspective way about Kendrick's life. Although his previous work good kid, m.A.A.d city already opened up about Kendrick's life in Compton, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers dives deeper into the issues Kendrick lives and has lived with in the past. This is a genius self-reflecting work from him.… Expand
  30. DelkoChateau
    Aug 28, 2023
    8
    A masterclass in personal storytelling. It is anything but an easy listen when it comes to the second disc, but contains a masterful blend of bangers and deep cuts; club songs and tearjerkers, really an underrated masterpiece.
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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Album of 2022
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Uncut
    Jun 20, 2022
    80
    By far the most compelling persona on Mr Morale & The Big Steppers is the Kendrick who is trying to make sense of his own family. ... ["Mother I Sober" is] a tour de force, almost but not quite as revelatory as "DUCKWORTH", a similar family saga off 2017's DAMN. And the best moment is when the strings swell and Lamar's voice changes. [Aug 2022, p.24]
    Read full review
  2. RapReviews.com
    Jun 17, 2022
    90
    Through over 70 minutes of Lamar’s latest, every facet of life for the young Compton rapper is held up to the light. Love, pain, hope, despair, triumph, defeat, it’s all there. ... He’s a rapper who understands rapping is more than just a good beat, a good punchline, or a good vocal tone. He’s blessed to have all of that but he takes the platform he got from it and makes art that will last a lifetime.
    Read full review
  3. The Wire
    Jun 15, 2022
    50
    Introspective, emotionally charged pieces such as “Father Time”, “We Cry Together” and “Savior” provide high – or jarring – points on the record, but elsewhere there are periods of lull absent on previous efforts. ... As sonically impressive as his latest album may be, his approach to the topics under discussion doesn’t feel sufficiently thought out. [Jul 2022, p.48]
See all critic reviews »