1. "BLOOD."
The album opens with a very Kendrick parable set to film soundtrack strings, as he tells the story of helping an old blind woman only to be shot in return. He labels it the struggle between wickedness and weakness, essentially the age-old battle between good and evil.
2. "DNA."
In ‘DNA.’, Lamar champions black heritage and the culture that’s made him who he is while sardonically dispelling rap stereotypes. He takes another shot at Fox News, airing a soundbite spouting that “hip hop has done more damage to young African Americans than racism in recent years”.
3. "YAH."
A more languid and laid-back, breezy number ‘YAH.’ sees Kendrick pondering race, religion and family as his thoughts meander and overlap.
4. "ELEMENT."
‘ELEMENT.’ is Kendrick’s latest call-to-arms to his rap rivals. Here, Lamar complains of his lack of competition and aims for a reaction.
5. "FEEL."
‘FEEL.’ sees Kendrick gazing into the void and isolation caused by his fame and success, describing his detachment from family and friends and disillusionment with “industry promises” and “false prophets schemin'”. Production-wise, it sounds like Lamar’s ponderings are being haunted by a distant, distorted echo of his own voice.
6. "LOYALTY. (FEAT. RIHANNA)"
The most interesting sounding song to date as Kendrick takes a Bruno Mars sample, speeds it up, chops it, reverses it and somehow makes it sound like ‘California Love’. It sees Lamar and Rihanna team up for the first time, delivering the first track of bonafide radio single material as the pair bounce back and forth on the importance of trust and, as the title suggests, loyalty.
7. "PRIDE."
Strong P-funk vibes with a hazy overlay, ‘PRIDE.’ pairs Lamar with Steve Lacy (of The Internet fame) and sees him deliver his best Andre 3000 impression at places. A pleasant but pretty forgettable interlude.
8. "HUMBLE."
It’s the perfect attention-grabbing first single and Kendrick need not be humble about that fact.
9. "LOVE."
There’s longing for love, the trappings of money, Lamar even makes reference to his romantic interest not calling him anymore—but, surprisingly, it works. Guest vocalist Zacari complements Kendrick perfectly.
10. "XXX (FEAT. U2)."
‘XXX.’ does the pretty much unimaginable in producing an incredible Kendrick/U2 collaboration. The song descends into smooth lounge-jazz ruminating about the loss of the American dream.
11. "FEAR."
There are many interesting aspects to ‘FEAR.’: the gospel opening, Kendrick speaking in reverse, Lamar raising his most direct religious questions of anywhere on the record. Yet, somehow, the track hops and skips, switches and changes, but never really settles.
12. "GOD."
‘GOD.’ literally sounds like a victory lap from Kendrick – and it doesn’t sound very Kendrick at all. There’s autotune, crooning and a trap beat. It’s a direct message to any one who thought they could put Lamar in a box as he beats Soundcloud rappers at their own game.
13. "DUCKWORTH"
One for the hip-hop purists and Kendrick-heads, it provides a back-story for the rapper’s early career and how his label boss nearly killed his dad when they were younger. Kendrick raps before returning to the parable from album opener ‘BLOOD.’, neatly bringing things full-circle.