3 New Albums Out This Week You Should Listen to Now: Kendrick Lamar, Michael Kiwanuka, and Father John Misty
There’s so much good music out in the ether that sometimes it’s difficult to parse through all of it. Every week The Daily Music Report will do the hard work for you and highlight the best releases available on streaming services.
This week we’re highlighting new music from Kendrick Lamar, Michael Kiwanuka, and Father John Misty.
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
A surprise release, Kendrick Lamar’s sixth studio album, GNX, was released through PGLang and Interscope Records. Named after the Buick Grand National Experimental model—a nod to Lamar’s personal history—the album marks his first project since leaving Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment. Spanning 12 tracks and 44 minutes, GNX features collaborations with artists like SZA, Roddy Ricch, and Deyra Barrera, with production by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Mustard, and Kamasi Washington. The album blends introspection and experimentation, with standout moments like ‘Reincarnated,’ a dialogue with God, and ‘Heart Pt. 6,’ reflecting on Lamar’s past with TDE. A bold statement in a compact package, GNX reaffirms Lamar’s position as a defining voice in modern rap.
Standout Songs: ‘whacked out murals,’ ‘squabble up,’ ‘hey now,’ ‘reincarnated,’ ‘tv off,’ ‘heart pt. 6,’ and ‘gnu.’
8.6
Artist Links:
Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes
Michael Kiwanuka’s Small Changes, released via Polydor Records, marks a striking shift from the grand, cinematic sound of his earlier albums. Co-produced with longtime collaborators Danger Mouse and Inflo, the album strips back orchestral layers, focusing on vocals, bass, guitar, and minimal instrumentation. This raw, intimate approach reflects Kiwanuka’s desire to embrace vulnerability and let go of external pressures while showcasing his voice at the forefront. While some may miss the drama of his previous works, Small Changes offers a reflective and unembellished exploration of adaptation and artistic growth.
Standout Songs: ‘Floating Parade,’ ‘Rebel Soul,’ ‘Lowdown (part i),’ ‘Live For Your Love,’ and ‘The Rest Of Me.’
8.5
Artist Links:
Father John Misty – Mahashmashana
Mahashmashana, the sixth studio album by Father John Misty, explores themes of identity, endings, and self-erasure through a richly layered, experimental lens. Produced by Tillman and Drew Erickson, with Jonathan Wilson as executive producer, the album’s title derives from the Sanskrit word for “great cremation ground,” reflecting its introspective and existential tone. Featuring singles like ‘I Guess Time Makes Fools of Us All’ and ‘She Cleans Up,’ co-written with Viagra Boys, the record showcases Tillman’s sprawling, unconventional songwriting process, likened to crafting epic poems before refining them into songs. Described by Tillman as potentially his final album, Mahashmashana feels like a culmination of his artistic journey, “This album does feel, I mean, I don’t want to crash any markets or anything, but this does feel like the last record to me.”
Standout Songs: ‘Mahashmashana,’ ‘She Cleans Up,’ ‘Screamland,’ and ‘I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All.’
8.3
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When you’re done here lose yourself in our full library of 3 Albums Out This Week You Should Listen to Now.
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