I know people can justify this opinion in terms of rapping and lyricism but the hooks and production are better on most Kendrick albums than they are on T&Y. As a songwriter, I really think Kendrick is better and has been for a long time.

And let me be clear, Lupe is in my top 10 and I think very highly of T&Y.

Kendrick's sound is definitely spacier but idk about the songwriting. Longer building structures like on T&Y can work wonders

Well my favorite Kendrick song is Sing About Me so I didn't disagree

Idk about the hooks being outright better but Kendrick is better than the average for hooks on hip hop. Lupe is underrated in that aspect at least for T&Y's sake. Blur My Hands, Dots and Lines, Madonna, Adoration of the Magi, Deliver, Little Death, Body of Work all have great hooks. Wouldn't say Kendrick is a clearly better songwriter at all but that can be up to personal preference

Production on T&Y is on par/better than TPAB and even though I like gkmc that album doesnt really do anything that crazy production wise beyond some well done sampling

DROGAS Wave despite it's length and a few misssteps also shows Lupe has improved dramatically as a songwriter imo.

Drill Music in Zion feels a bit minimal by comparison (not only in length) but it's a very concise album.

I've actually done some revision on my Kendrick takes and have been a bit too harsh on him overall. I think the online perception and absolute d*** riding of his work to put him on a pedestal ruined my listening for a long time, especially for TPAB

That chorus on Kingdom

Def top 5

same.

people called TPAB an all-time classic before it's leak and a grower one hour after it's leak. It was absurd hype. I like it nowadays. It's a good album that I've also found my peace with.

They were ready to crown it regardless of the results.

what are your fav albums this year so far? to anyone?

replying to a rym thread about your fav album per year you're living and just realized that 2012 was a pretty dire year in my book.

In no order

Chelsea Wolfe: She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She
Rafael Toral: Spectral Evolution
Gouge Away: Deep Sage
Waxahatchee: Tigers Blood (most listened)
Adrianne Lenker: Bright Future
Bianca Scout: Pattern Damage
I just re listened to the new Julia Holter and it grew on me since last listen so that one as well

such a good track in general

new J Mascis and Chelsea Wolfe are the first that come to mind

didn't realize Chelsea Wolfe has a new album out.

so far it's either Holter, Kim Gordon or maybe Bright Future for me.

i havent checked out many yet but these were the best i heard

Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Spectral Voice - Sparagmos
Slift - Ilion
Brittany Howard - What Now

uh slift is prog rock. that's on my list now.

Did you like the Blackbird cover on the Beyonce album

Chelsea Wolfe is only becoming darker. at this rate she's going to sound like lycia in a few years

edit: she's already there

House of Self Undoing probably my SOTY so far

yeah opening trio was pretty strong

i like the album (the first three songs in particular) but the second half is way weaker on first listen imo. wish she would stay away from her balladry at times. good album overall tho