An Overanalysis by T-Rod
It’s pretty easy to tell when an album has struck a chord; that magnetism is undeniable. Anderson Paak and Knxwledge both have soundtracked key moments in my life, separately and under the NxWorries name, but Why Lawd? hits different. It’s both musical bliss and devastation. It’s a perfect soundtrack for the summer, whether you’re in deep pain or having the time of your life.
Let’s talk about the duo: Anderson Paak is a cocksure and showy singer, rapper, and entertainer. Knxwledge is an enigmatic, mathematical producer who generally stays out of the public eye. That mixture sounds like oil and water, but hits like rum and coke in practice. Take “86Sentra”, a brief teaser. Paak raps his ass off in a loaded reintroductory verse full of wit and connected bars, Knxwledge’s shadowy beats hum in the background like a funky arcade machine only to sputter out before the 2 minute mark.
The meticulousness of the duo is felr on Why Lawd?’s flow. The narrative is presented like an expertly edited film; shorter songs are introductory acts and epilogues to beefier ones, transitioning seamlessly to the next act of the plot. Example: “KeepHer” is a tragic heartbreaker full of gorgeous vocal and guitar layers, but its message of money not being the end-all is supplemented by the whimsical “Distractions.” When the funeral-like loops on “Lookin’” come in, it confirms the end of a relationship if the lyrics didn’t register. Album magic is when the sound and lyrics converge on one central idea, and that happens countless times here.
Knxwledge’s production plays a huge part in the LP’s success, individual beats like the drunken organ tones on “HereIAm” working even better as a gateway to the gorgeous reverb on “OutTheWay.” The beats are fantastic, too many highlights to count. Knxwledge’s backing tracks would make for one of the best year’s beat tapes if Paak’s vocals were removed. “DistantSpace”, “SheUsed” and “NVR.RMX” are all fantastic instrumentally speaking, but also bring a great sense of character and diversity to the sound of the record. It’s appreciated in an age where beats can run too samey across a project.
Matching the darker sound of the production, Paak centers his pen around failed relationships amidst Hollywood-level success. “KeepHer” lays this theme out clearly, wonderfully performed and centering around a repeated motto: “Money won’t keep her.” The singles for the album hinted at this darker tone: “Where I Go” is a nocturnal jam hinting at trust issues and “FromHere” a gorgeous ode to…being kicked out of your girl’s place. Much as the album’s beats flows like water from point A to B, so does Paak’s writing as he transitions from relationship fallout, regret, and acceptance. “HereIAm” in particular is a fantastic point on the album writing-wise, a therapeutic verse where Paak tries to play off being single as the new norm, only to miss his ex on “OutTheWay.” It’s a nice touch that these complicated feelings aren’t resolved in one track; there’s layers to these complicated feelings in real life, and that realism is embodied in Paak’s pen and performances.
At its core, Why Lawd? is therapeutic, I think. It’s sad, but Paak’s charm and confidence over masterful production makes this album a great listen. He’s Cheeky Andy after all, so of course you’re gonna have tracks where he flexes his success like on “MoreOfIt” or pimps out on “FallThru.” There’s moments of humor and brightness to balance the darkness, captured by “WalkOnBy,” an ode to love and mental health that feels like a bittersweet roll credits moment. It’s the Why Lawd? concluding paragraph: a soundtrack to having bad and good moments in life and keeping things pushing.
I’m not gonna wrap this with a big statement. If you heard Why Lawd?, you probably agree with me in thinking it’s awesome. If you haven’t heard it, I hope this post convinced you to bump it. It’s fantastic.
