u is honestly one of my favorite songs ever. The delivery on that second verse with the sax in the back is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. On top of that Kendrick blaming himself over the death of that little brother is just so damn heartbreaking. But I love what he said in an interview once, something along the lines of “even though we have the deep points of u, we eventually get to high points of i”
u is an amazing song on this album. yeah that second verse took me somewhere painful. it's the kind of song that needs to be sung and heard regardless of how painful it is.
This album influenced David Bowie's Blackstar! you can hear the hip-hop/jazz influences on the sax/brass sections around the album. Kendrick really is respected by the greats.
"The yams are the powers that be". Also, "King Kunta" is a contradiction. Kunta Kinte was a slave who got his leg cut off for running away. Kdot implies that he is powerful like a king, but oppressed at the same time.
I usually like people to go into a reaction without looking anything up but with this album It helps immeasurably to have somewhat of an understanding just so you can really absorb what Kendrick is laying out for us.
Totally agree. Every other album I have gone in completely blind. But given how dense GKMC was, I wanted to go in with at least surface level background of what the concept was behind TPAB.
These Walls is just so beautiful. Amazing chords. The music is so layered and detailed on the entire album. Only Manger on McNichols by Boldy James comes close to this
Great reaction, loved how you dived into each song and clearly caught the links not only across the album but also to Kendrick's previous works. TPAB is, undeniably deeply textured, both musically and lyrically, so I always find first reactions to be entertaining but often end with "I'll have to re-listen to catch the meaning" but I don't think you'll have that issue lmao
I appreciate it! I've learned from GKMC that there was plenty I didn't touch on in the review but didn't go unnoticed! They are both incredibly well thought out and I know that there is still so much to unpack from this first half.
if you really get into this album and have the time, I thoroughly recommend listening to the Dissect podcast series on this album. it is f-ing long and detailed so you might take a few weeks to listen to it, but it shuns light in SO MUCH stuff that goes unnoticed after even a dozen listens. there is a reason this album just today surpassed OK Computer as the #1 album of all time in RateYourMusic
I will definitely have to take a look at that once I take some time dissecting the album on my own! That is awesome to hear! And I love OK Computer so much so that is bittersweet lol.
I’ll save my comments for after part 2 but man i love being able to re-listen to an album with someone who hasn’t heard it yet. Because my IRL friends aren’t very interested in diving deep into music.
I've become the album guy among my friends. Here I am giving people recommendations I've only listened to for a couple of weeks. But they are so fucking good!
Man, im only one song in but i think you hit the nail on the head with your preperation. This way you already have some idea of what narratives to look for whilst also giving you time to appreciate the music as do in your own way. Good stuff my dude, keep it up
There will be nothing ever like hearing this album for the first time. It was one of the most transcending spiritual experiences I've ever had. It's a perfect album and a perfect piece of art and a masterpiece
this album is a 10/10, and through your reactions i can understand what the songs from these artists mean, especially kendrick. i was surprised you didn't have as an emotional reaction from the somg motion picture soundtrack for the song u lol. cant wait for part 2 : )
Thanks for being around for these reactions! Honestly, it's all about how I'm feeling in the moment. I didn't get emotional during blonde, but it hit me harder on later listens. Also BCNR was a very cathartic album so I've been cried out lately lol. u is still an amazing highlight on this first half.
@@aggressivepeach6681 i've been debating giving ratings because I normally give high ratings from 7-10. I don't want them to come off a disingenuous if I give nothing but 9s and 10s, and I don't want to rate low because I know the songs will grow on me over time.
@@lusciousluie that's a pretty good reason, if your not comfortable just flat out deciding the song's worth from first listen I'd say don't give an opinion, just what you like and don't. This review was good enough for me to tell you enjoyed these songs.
Oh I doubt you could ever upload it on RUclips, even unlisted and not monetized, unfortunately. Channels that upload uncut reactions for Patreon use some other service, but I'd imagine there are some costs involved in that.
@@lusciousluie If it helps I know at least a couple of those channels use a service called Bunny CDN, but I have no idea how expensive it is or if it works well (from a content creator perspective).
@@puupipo That's good to know. I'm looking into making these available as audio only via Spotify. Just not sure if I can or should include the music because of copyright.
Thank you! I kept it surface level research just so I can create my own ideas through the songs. And I love the direction this album has been going so far.
this album is so deep lirically and thematically that you need some quantity of sociology education to understand and appreciate it fully. just looking at the name "institutionalized" aludes to the need of understanding sociological institutions, which have the misfortune of being presumed to be just church, government, and a few other things, while they go much deeper and further and include patterns and underlying, silent elements of a society that drastically define the way everything unfolds and how the society in question is. the whole album talks about it at least indirectly, it includes how materialism, capitalism, greed, racism, segregation, individualism, and practically everything that is not innately embedded in humans takes shape. those are aspects so deeply rooted in most of human societies that most people assume they're inevitable, although history shows it's not necessarily always the case. since sociological institutions are basically the architecture of society, they have been manipulated through centuries to gain strength, thus oppressing and diminishing resistance to it. that is another topic that is relevant in the album and in the whole of society, whether kendrick does it consciously or not. i really encourage reading Giddens' "sociology", it drastically changed my worldview, and makes this album so much more fascinating.
I think you should listen to his untitled unmastered album next. The album itself is made of songs that Kendrick thought they either didn’t fit the theme or he didn’t like them as much as the others. While still being his “scraps” that album is still amazing and can be considered a good album on its own.
Please do react to 'late registration' by Kanye West if you havent listened to it already. I've always felt it is a drummer's delight, amazing production and subject matter, his best in my opinion.
Oh man you were soo close, if you would of read just a little bit more you would of got it. Institutionalized is about kendrick taking one of his homies to the BET Awards. And when he took him he was surrounded by Rollies and talk of mansion and rich shit. So his homie wanted to rob people at the awards "somebody told me you thinking about snatching jewelry" The Second Verse is in the perspective of kendricks friend. He's looking around and all these people got an abundance. so he tells kendrick "Remember still from the rich and give it back to the poor? Well thats me at these awards"
The discord is now live! Come hang out outside of YT where I can give real-time responses!
discord.gg/BbdyNZChWv
u is honestly one of my favorite songs ever. The delivery on that second verse with the sax in the back is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. On top of that Kendrick blaming himself over the death of that little brother is just so damn heartbreaking.
But I love what he said in an interview once, something along the lines of “even though we have the deep points of u, we eventually get to high points of i”
u is an amazing song on this album. yeah that second verse took me somewhere painful. it's the kind of song that needs to be sung and heard regardless of how painful it is.
The emotional passion on u is insane, it really gives me a similar vibe to hey by the pixies despite them being totally different genres
This album influenced David Bowie's Blackstar! you can hear the hip-hop/jazz influences on the sax/brass sections around the album. Kendrick really is respected by the greats.
I haven't heard Blackstar but that's an awesome thing to hear! It's not surprising he's so respected. Definitely a fan now.
@@lusciousluie There you go! you have an excelent album to save for a future review
@@lusciousluie you should definetely react to blackstar!!!
Black Star was also influenced by Death Grips because Bowie was a man of culture and impeccable taste.
@@lusciousluie dude I’d love to see u react to that, one of my favorite albums of all time, drums are sick too
"The yams are the powers that be". Also, "King Kunta" is a contradiction. Kunta Kinte was a slave who got his leg cut off for running away. Kdot implies that he is powerful like a king, but oppressed at the same time.
Thank you for explaining that. The contradiction didn't go unnoticed, but it's such a strong message that Kendrick made. I love that song.
u is such a powerful song, Kendrick said it was one of the most difficult songs he has written
That song is so difficult to listen to but for good reason. It's so raw and painful, but it's absolutely a highlight out of this first half.
@@lusciousluie Yea definitely
I usually like people to go into a reaction without looking anything up but with this album It helps immeasurably to have somewhat of an understanding just so you can really absorb what Kendrick is laying out for us.
Totally agree. Every other album I have gone in completely blind. But given how dense GKMC was, I wanted to go in with at least surface level background of what the concept was behind TPAB.
This man is now my favourite youtube reactor. Keep it going man, especially on Kendrick's catalog. He won't disappoint you.
this album just became the #1 album of all time on rym today lol funny u posted this
Insane timing lol
These Walls is just so beautiful. Amazing chords. The music is so layered and detailed on the entire album.
Only Manger on McNichols by Boldy James comes close to this
I love that it makes that change up. He's having his cake and eating it too, in such drastically different ways.
Manger is such an underrated masterpiece
@@notjeremyrenner Big fax
Great reaction, loved how you dived into each song and clearly caught the links not only across the album but also to Kendrick's previous works. TPAB is, undeniably deeply textured, both musically and lyrically, so I always find first reactions to be entertaining but often end with "I'll have to re-listen to catch the meaning" but I don't think you'll have that issue lmao
I appreciate it! I've learned from GKMC that there was plenty I didn't touch on in the review but didn't go unnoticed! They are both incredibly well thought out and I know that there is still so much to unpack from this first half.
HELL YEAAAAA IMA NEED THAT PART 2 STILL BUT HELL YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Me too!!
Love seeing my friends succeed. Good on ya Lu, very in depth first half. Interested in seeing your second half.
Love ya bud. Excited to get into this second half!
if you really get into this album and have the time, I thoroughly recommend listening to the Dissect podcast series on this album. it is f-ing long and detailed so you might take a few weeks to listen to it, but it shuns light in SO MUCH stuff that goes unnoticed after even a dozen listens. there is a reason this album just today surpassed OK Computer as the #1 album of all time in RateYourMusic
I will definitely have to take a look at that once I take some time dissecting the album on my own! That is awesome to hear! And I love OK Computer so much so that is bittersweet lol.
Their breakdowns are LEGENDARY. you listen to Because the Internet or Following this past Igor season?
Appreciate the background work you put into this one! It showed through for sure.
Thank you! I didn't want to spoil myself so I kept the research very surface level.
your breakdowns of each song are fantastic, great reaction !
Thank you! I wanted to step it up from my GKMC review. Kendricks work is so complex.
Thank you for the content man, thank you for your hardwork and dedication
Thank you for being here!
Perfect timing for this record, it has just surpassed OK Computer as the best album of all time in the website RateYourMusic
That's insane timing!
I’ll save my comments for after part 2 but man i love being able to re-listen to an album with someone who hasn’t heard it yet. Because my IRL friends aren’t very interested in diving deep into music.
I've become the album guy among my friends. Here I am giving people recommendations I've only listened to for a couple of weeks. But they are so fucking good!
Loved your breakdowns of each song, very smart and insightful.
Man, im only one song in but i think you hit the nail on the head with your preperation. This way you already have some idea of what narratives to look for whilst also giving you time to appreciate the music as do in your own way. Good stuff my dude, keep it up
I appreciate your feedback! I had only looked at the surface level of each song so I can make my own interpretations in the reaction.
There will be nothing ever like hearing this album for the first time. It was one of the most transcending spiritual experiences I've ever had. It's a perfect album and a perfect piece of art and a masterpiece
5:45 in the morning where I live and nothing feels better than waking up to this masterpiece of an album
One listen and it's definitely a masterpiece
this album is a 10/10, and through your reactions i can understand what the songs from these artists mean, especially kendrick. i was surprised you didn't have as an emotional reaction from the somg motion picture soundtrack for the song u lol. cant wait for part 2 : )
would be also cool if you gave your ratings for the albums : )
Thanks for being around for these reactions! Honestly, it's all about how I'm feeling in the moment. I didn't get emotional during blonde, but it hit me harder on later listens. Also BCNR was a very cathartic album so I've been cried out lately lol.
u is still an amazing highlight on this first half.
@@aggressivepeach6681 i've been debating giving ratings because I normally give high ratings from 7-10. I don't want them to come off a disingenuous if I give nothing but 9s and 10s, and I don't want to rate low because I know the songs will grow on me over time.
@@lusciousluie that's a pretty good reason, if your not comfortable just flat out deciding the song's worth from first listen I'd say don't give an opinion, just what you like and don't. This review was good enough for me to tell you enjoyed these songs.
I am working on uploading an uncut version of this, but it's been blocked. Not sure of a workaround for this.
Oh I doubt you could ever upload it on RUclips, even unlisted and not monetized, unfortunately. Channels that upload uncut reactions for Patreon use some other service, but I'd imagine there are some costs involved in that.
Maybe upload on a different site
@@puupipo yeah I was looking at how to do it for Patreon but other sites have the same policy. May have to reach out to other youtubers about it.
@@lusciousluie If it helps I know at least a couple of those channels use a service called Bunny CDN, but I have no idea how expensive it is or if it works well (from a content creator perspective).
@@puupipo That's good to know. I'm looking into making these available as audio only via Spotify. Just not sure if I can or should include the music because of copyright.
We made it here finally
I feel the same way tbh. Glad I waited between GKMC and TPAB because I really want to appreciate these two on there own.
@@lusciousluieand coincidentally it overcame OK Computer to be the highest ranked album on rate your music just by today
one of the best rewievers on youtube!
Interesting that you informed yourself about the album beforehand! Wonder how the reaction will then come about :)
Thank you! I kept it surface level research just so I can create my own ideas through the songs. And I love the direction this album has been going so far.
this album is so deep lirically and thematically that you need some quantity of sociology education to understand and appreciate it fully. just looking at the name "institutionalized" aludes to the need of understanding sociological institutions, which have the misfortune of being presumed to be just church, government, and a few other things, while they go much deeper and further and include patterns and underlying, silent elements of a society that drastically define the way everything unfolds and how the society in question is. the whole album talks about it at least indirectly, it includes how materialism, capitalism, greed, racism, segregation, individualism, and practically everything that is not innately embedded in humans takes shape. those are aspects so deeply rooted in most of human societies that most people assume they're inevitable, although history shows it's not necessarily always the case.
since sociological institutions are basically the architecture of society, they have been manipulated through centuries to gain strength, thus oppressing and diminishing resistance to it. that is another topic that is relevant in the album and in the whole of society, whether kendrick does it consciously or not.
i really encourage reading Giddens' "sociology", it drastically changed my worldview, and makes this album so much more fascinating.
I really like the points you make both musical and lyrical, really great reaction!
Thank you! Yeah I tried to balance both for this album and it made the overall review 2 parts.
Excited for the next part!
I am too! Going to be listening tonight
Kendrick inspires me to rap.
Awesome! finally :D. Can't wait for your reaction to Section80 though, it has some really awesome drums aswell
that makes me excited!
In 'For Free' the woman is AMERICA (...and her Uncle Sam.)
top 3 album of all time for me, sooooooo good
“but if anyone knows the background behind that i’d love to hear” oh you’ll see
Trust me do the album Voodoo by D’angelo. U Being the person that appreciates production u will love this album too much
Thanks for the recommendation! I've heard the name D'angelo a lot so I'm going to have to look into it!
omg. lets go.
Amazing album
amazing
I agree
Looking forward to the rest of your Kendrick journey. Please do Untitled Unmastered as it's basically an album of stuff that didn't make TPAB.
Woo
hes nailing analysing this on the first time lmaooo
I think you should listen to his untitled unmastered album next. The album itself is made of songs that Kendrick thought they either didn’t fit the theme or he didn’t like them as much as the others. While still being his “scraps” that album is still amazing and can be considered a good album on its own.
Didn’t fit the theme to TPAB i meant to put that
Glad you mentioned that. I recognized the album at the store and it's got my interest.
Real first hours
Real1
How has he not heard TPAB?
Idk if your gonna react to untitled unmastered but untitled 5 has some sick drums
Please do react to 'late registration' by Kanye West if you havent listened to it already. I've always felt it is a drummer's delight, amazing production and subject matter, his best in my opinion.
You should check out rodeo by Travis scott. Production is so ahead of its time
am I tripping or is something wrong with you mic? sounds like you put a high pass filter on it.
I stream on twitch so my settings may have changed between sessions
Oh man you were soo close, if you would of read just a little bit more you would of got it.
Institutionalized is about kendrick taking one of his homies to the BET Awards. And when he took him he was surrounded by Rollies and talk of mansion and rich shit. So his homie wanted to rob people at the awards "somebody told me you thinking about snatching jewelry"
The Second Verse is in the perspective of kendricks friend. He's looking around and all these people got an abundance. so he tells kendrick "Remember still from the rich and give it back to the poor? Well thats me at these awards"
Okay so I was on the right track! I had said some of this in the review but I had cut it!
Lil Yachty next
yes
But remember, he knows the Bible too 😉😈
That line was giving me chills during editing
I just love your channel