With DAMN., Kendrick Lamar’s fourth studio LP and the follow-up to his universally praised To Pimp A Butterfly, Lamar once again pivoted against expectation. Whereas To Pimp felt broad, expansive, and irrepressibly funky, DAMN. turned the energy inwards, with a tight, white-knuckled intensity. You hear that burst through with Old Testament wrath on songs like “DNA” and “HUMBLE” but Lamar also balances the tone with more introspective, contemplative fare like “LOVE” and “PRIDE.” The use of these single-word song titles build both a meta-narrative that connects each track — Lamar does love a good concept album — but could also be seen as his list of potential sermon topics to be delivered from his pulpit with his signature mix of fire, righteousness, and grace.

– Oliver Wang