Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

Kendrick Lamar released his fifth studio album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” May 13. 

Fans have been waiting in anticipation for five years after Lamar’s last album “DAMN.” which was released in 2017, produced hit singles “Humble,”,”Loyalty” and “Love.” All three tracks reached the US Billboard Hot 100, and the album went on to earn a Pulitzer Prize the next year. 

“Personally, I think the album is more than just an album, Kendrick and the other artists discuss issues millions face in a form of art. When I first listened to the album I knew it was different from all of his past albums and certainly different from the albums that are considered to be the same genre as Mr Morale and the Big Steppers,” Niko Constan, a third-year strategic communications major said. 

The buzz around “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” is undeniable, all 18 songs already placing in the Billboard Hot 100. Exploring themes of addiction, the COVID-19 pandemic and corruption, Kendrick’s album is creating conversations. One such conversation regards the song “Auntie Diaries” which tackles the topics of homophobia and transphobia within the black community. 

“Kendrick Lamar’s album was a great listen for me. Front to back, Kendrick talks from a perspective that highlights the need for therapy in the black community and I really enjoyed how he helps end the stigma,” Third-year Digital Design major Daniel Nzanga said . 

Bad Bunny: Un Verano Sin Ti

“Un Verano Sin Ti,” released May 6, is Bad Bunny’s fourth studio album and fans could not be more pleased. 

“Un Verano Sin Ti” is exactly what you would expect from an ‘album of the summer.’ With the mix of different sounds, genres, and featured artists, you don’t have to understand the language in order to feel everything that’s in the music. Benito has done it once again,” Nicole Teague, a criminal justice alumna of 2021, said.

This 23-track, 82-minute project peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, earning 274,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. His album is now the second all-Spanish-language album to reach No. 1 on the 66-year-old Billboard 200 chart, according to Variety. The first was Bad Bunny’s 2020 album “El Último Tour del Mundo.”

Jack Harlow: Come Home the Kids Miss You

Jack Harlow’s second studio album “Come Home the Kids Miss You” dropped May 6, further cementing his laid-back and charismatic rap-style. 

Featuring artists like Drake, Lil Wayne, Justin Timberlake and Pharrel, Harlow’s sophomore LP debuted at No. 3 on Billboard 200’s top 10, becoming his highest charting album yet. The 45 minute, 15 song album talks about his quick rise to fame and his various escapades with women. 

The album’s reviews are mixed, at best… According to Variety, some of the musical guests don’t make sense in context with his album. 

Ella Mai: Heart on My Sleeve

Ella Mai released her sophomore album “Heart on My Sleeve” May 6, four years after her self-titled debut album. 

The Grammy winning singer-songwriter had lots of pressure from fans to release more music after the success of songs like “Boo’d Up” and “Trip.” However, she purposefully waited four years to release another album. 

Notable songs from the album include “DFMU” and “How (feat. Roddy Rich)”, which already has over two millions streams on Spotify. Other big names like Lucky Daye and Latto performed on the album and Mary J. Blige and Kirk Franklin made uncredited features throughout the sequence of songs. 

Harry Styles: Harry’s House 

Harry Styles released his third solo album “Harry’s House” May 20, pleasing fans everywhere. 

“The first time I listened through it felt so familiar and foreign all at once. It’s the Harry we know and love, but I think it is noticeably more mature, developed and emotionally thorough than the Harry we met with his debut solo album,” Chloe Gunther, a third-year English major said. 

According to Billboard, it is already set to hit No. 1 in the U.K. “Harry’s House” has been the fastest selling album of 2020 so far. This comes off the release of his lead single of the album “As It Was”, which became the most-streamed song on Spotify in 24-hours for a male artist, gaining 16,103,849 streams.