Why Lawd?
Why Lawd? | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 7, 2024 | |||
Studio |
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Length | 44:10 | |||
Label | Stones Throw | |||
Producer | Knxwledge | |||
NxWorries chronology | ||||
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Singles from Why Lawd? | ||||
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Why Lawd? is the second studio album by American neo soul[1] duo NxWorries, which consists of vocalist Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge. It was released physically on June 7, 2024,[2][3] by Stones Throw Records, and was digitally released a week later on June 14, 2024.[4]
Background
[edit]In October 2020, Anderson .Paak revealed that a new NxWorries album was on the way.[5] After years of teases on social media, the album was announced on April 3, 2024, with an official visualizer for "86Sentra" being released the same day.[6]
Release
[edit]The album's first single, "Where I Go", featuring H.E.R., was released on October 19, 2022, alongside a music video.[7][8] It was previously debuted at the Double Happiness Festival in December 2020.[9] The second single, "Daydreaming", was released on May 18, 2023, alongside a music video recorded in Grand Theft Auto V.[10][11] On April 3, 2024, the album was officially announced with the single "86Sentra".[2][4] "FromHere", featuring Snoop Dogg and October London, was released on May 14, 2024, as the album's fourth single.[12] The album released physically on June 7, 2024.[2][13] The album's fifth single, "WalkOnBy" featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil, was released on June 11, 2024.[13] It released digitally on June 14, 2024.[14]
Critical reception
[edit]Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 77/100[15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
The Guardian | [17] |
Pitchfork | 8.0/10[18] |
RapReviews | 8.5/10[19] |
The Skinny | [20] |
According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Why Lawd? received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[15]
Writing for Variety, John Kennedy wrote that the album was an "intriguing listen" with a "level of candor" on themes such as survivor's guilt and emotional unavailability.[21] Dylan Green of Pitchfork described the Knxwledge's production on the album as "some of the most breathtaking production of his career", describing it as "ornately constructed, each a treasure hunt for the tell that it's all made from tiny bits of other songs."[18] AllMusic's Andy Kellman concluded his review stating: 'Paak's litany of woes -- "Roll the windows down, I hope the rain hides my tears"—ensure that his thunder is not stolen.'[16] Stevie Chick's review for The Guardian was critical of the album's lyrics, writing that .Paak was an "unlikable narrator" and that his lyrics were "wildly switching moods between anger, self-pity and desperate horniness."[17] Writing for The Skinny, Logan Walker stated that the album delivered "the sonic smoothness fans have come to expect."[20]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "ThankU" (featuring Dave Chappelle) |
| 0:50 |
2. | "86Sentra" |
| 1:36 |
3. | "MoveOn" |
| 2:47 |
4. | "KeepHer" (featuring Thundercat) |
| 4:14 |
5. | "Distractions" |
| 1:49 |
6. | "Lookin'" |
| 0:54 |
7. | "Where I Go" (featuring H.E.R.) |
| 3:18 |
8. | "Daydreaming" |
| 3:01 |
9. | "FromHere" (featuring Snoop Dogg and October London) |
| 4:01 |
10. | "FallThru" |
| 2:21 |
11. | "Battlefield" |
| 3:38 |
12. | "HereIAm" |
| 1:34 |
13. | "OutTheWay" (featuring Rae Khalil) |
| 3:26 |
14. | "SheUsed" |
| 2:36 |
15. | "MoreOfIt" |
| 1:12 |
16. | "NVR.RMX" (featuring Charlie Wilson) |
| 1:18 |
17. | "DistantSpace" |
| 1:23 |
18. | "WalkOnBy" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil) |
| 3:47 |
19. | "EvnMore" |
| 0:25 |
Total length: | 44:10 |
Sample credits
- "ThankU" contains a sample of "Thank You Jesus" by Johnnie Wilder Jr.
- "Daydreaming" contains a sample of "You're Gonna Love It" by Stanley Clarke and George Duke.
- "FallThru" contains a sample of "Just One of Your Kisses" by Ralfi Pagan.
- "Battlefield" contains a sample of "Sitting in the Park" by the Ghost Squad.
- "HereIAm" contains a sample of "I'd Like to Stay" by People's Pleasure with Alive and Wild.
- "OutTheWay" contains a sample of "Let's Try Again" by Surface.
- "SheUsed" contains a sample of "She Calls Me Baby" by J Kelly & The Premiers.
- "DistantSpace" contains a sample of "Butterflies" by Smythe.
- "EvnMore" contains a sample of "Urban Shadow" by Yuji Ohno & Friends.
Personnel
[edit]Knxwledge
- Anderson .Paak – vocals on all tracks except "ThankU" and "EvnMore", additional drums on "MoveOn"
- Knxwledge – beats, production
Additional musicians
- Dave Chappelle – words on "ThankU"
- Ann One – background vocals on "MoveOn" and "KeepHer"
- Andra Day – background vocals on "MoveOn"
- BJ the Chicago Kid – background vocals on "MoveOn"
- Thundercat – vocals on "KeepHer"
- Ab-Soul – vocals on "Lookin'"
- José Ríos – lead guitar on "Where I Go" and "WalkOnBy"
- H.E.R. – vocals on "Where I Go"
- J.Mo – lead guitar on "Daydreaming"
- Snoop Dogg – vocals on "FromHere"
- October London – vocals on "FromHere"
- Haley Reinhart – background vocals on "Battlefield"
- Rae Khalil – vocals on "OutTheWay" and "WalkOnBy"
- Charlie Wilson – vocals on "NVR.RMX"
- Dodgr – background vocals on "DistantSpace"
- Leonard "Pudge" Tribbett – drums on "DistantSpace"
- Earl Sweatshirt – vocals on "WalkOnBy"
- Julia Rachelle – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"
- Gemma Castro – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"
Technical
- Dos Pueblos[a] – mixing, engineering
- Mike Bozzi – mastering
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- Shon "Lawon" Brooks – engineering on "FromHere"
- Frank Vasquez – engineering on "FromHere"
- October London – engineering on "FromHere"
- Gemma Castro – engineering assistance
- Collin Davis – engineering assistance
- Zumo Kollie – engineering assistance
- Jeff "Champ" Massey – engineering assistance
- Jeff Jank, Israel Ramos - artwork
Charts
[edit]Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Vinyl Albums (ARIA)[22] | 8 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[23] | 113 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[24] | 68 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[25] | 51 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[26] | 51 |
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[27] | 30 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[28] | 13 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[29] | 2 |
US Billboard 200[30] | 81 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[31] | 26 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Dos Pueblos consists of Jhair "Jha" Lazo and Julio Ulloa
References
[edit]- ^ Reed, Ryan (February 15, 2017). "Watch Anderson Paak's Dramatic Valentine's Day 'Tonight Show' Performance". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- ^ a b c Damara Kelly, Tyler (April 3, 2024). "NxWorries announce their long-awaited second album, Why Lawd". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Castro, Danilo (April 9, 2024). "NxWorries Reveals Star-Studded Tracklist For New Album "Why Lawd?"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Fu, Eddie (April 3, 2024). "NxWorries Announce New Album Why Lawd?, Share "86Sentra"". Consequence. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Gonik, Michael (October 14, 2020). "Anderson .Paak Announces a New NxWorries Album is On The Way". Okayplayer. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ LaPierre, Megan (April 3, 2024). "NxWorries Announce Sophomore Album 'Why Lawd?'". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Price, Joe (October 19, 2022). "Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Return as NxWorries With New Song "Where I Go" f/ H.E.R." Complex. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (October 18, 2022). "Anderson .Paak And Knxwledge Set To Release New NxWorries Single With H.E.R." Vibe. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Lavin, Will (December 5, 2020). "NxWorries debut new track 'Where I Go' at Double Happiness Festival". NME. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (May 18, 2023). "NxWorries Share Video for New Song "Daydreaming"". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ LeJarde, Arielle Lana (May 18, 2023). "NxWorries yearn for a lover in "Daydreaming"". The Fader. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
- ^ Slingerland, Calum (May 14, 2024). "NxWorries Get Snoop Dogg for Soulful, Slow-Burning "FromHere"". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "NxWorries Team With Earl Sweatshirt & Rae Khalil On New Song "WalkOnBy": Listen". Stereogum. June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (June 14, 2024). "NxWorries Release New Album 'Why Lawd?': Stream". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ a b "Why Lawd? by NxWorries Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy (June 14, 2024). "NxWorries – Why Lawd? Album Reviews, songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Chick, Stevie (June 14, 2024). "NxWorries – Why Lawd?". The Guardian. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Green, Dylan (June 14, 2024). "NxWorries: Why Lawd?". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (June 18, 2024). "NxWorries :: Why Lawd? – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Walker, Logan (June 4, 2024). "NxWorries - Why Lawd? review: the sonic smoothness fans have come to expect". The Skinny. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Kennedy, John (June 14, 2024). "Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Turn Pain Into Pleasure on NxWorries' 'Why Lawd?': Album Review". Variety. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – NxWorries – Why Lawd?" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – NxWorries – Why Lawd?" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard 200: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of June 22, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2024.