While this release certainly illustrates his desire to experiment, this new music lacks refinement and clarity. 

Discounting Donald Glover’s reissue of ‘Atavista’ earlier this year, ‘Bando Stone and The New World’ marks the American rapper’s first serious album release since 2016. Operating under the moniker ‘Childish Gambino,’ his music has always been extremely eclectic. While this release certainly illustrates his desire to experiment, this new music lacks refinement and clarity. 

The album opens confidently; building in suspense and anticipation, a feeling of excitement is conjured within the listener. Yet, this carefully crafted suspense is quickly erased by a cacophony of overly-dense vocals mashed together with random, pulsating sounds. Despite the excitement, it’s too much too soon… 

Known for top tracks such as ‘Les,’ ‘Me and your Mama,’ and ‘This is America,’ we mourn Childish Gambino’s softer side. Every song seems to be highly intense, leaving the listener on the brink of sensory overload. Leaving out his usual heartfelt string arrangements and raw vocal energy, the music sounds straight off a computer.

Lyrically, the album is missing emotional intelligence. It becomes difficult for listeners to fully absorb and contemplate the music when all you can hear is a bunch of swear words and ‘usual’ rapper talk. Amongst the sonic chaos, most of the songs blend into one big mess and it’s difficult to understand the music.

Breaking up the never-ending intensity, a welcome, more laid-back track is ‘Steps beach.’ Though it provides home to somewhat predictable chords, there is no faulting Childish Gambino’s angelic voice; shaping a welcoming, open space for the listener to breathe and reflect on the album so far. 

While the LP features the likes of top vocal artists Chlöe and Jorja Smith, their inclusion doesn’t add any depth or texture to the music. Listeners find themselves trapped in a sonic blur, where any profound meaning is easily lost.

Ending with ‘A place where love goes,’ we are left on a precipice of uncertainty, unsure how to feel about what we have just experienced. While there is no doubting Donald Glover is a musical genius, this is simply not his best work.