The latest from Kendrick Lamar has been five years in the making and finds him vulnerable, heartfelt and open as he explores the lives of those he loves while reflecting on trauma, identity and truth. While lead single ‘N95’ carefully balances lyrics citing multiple cultural touchpoints with a mainstream Hip Hop beat, elsewhere Lamar is more clear, more focused, more raw and personal. Nowhere is this more so than on the minimal ‘Mother I Sober’ where an affecting Beth Gibbons vocal sits behind Lamar’s soul-bearing on grief, abuse, and generational trauma. Running across nineteen tracks, ‘Mr Morale & The Big Steppers’ is an emotionally demanding album that showcases Lamar at his best with insightful, provocative lyrics and carefully selected collaborators at every turn.