Gunna returns along with his new album ‘The Final Wun,’ with options from Wizkid, Offset, Burna Boy and extra.
Gunna
Morgan Maher
Gunna has returned with The Last Wun, a 25-track affair that serves because the follow-up to final 12 months’s Considered one of Wun album, and finds Gunna reuniting with producer Turbo.
Although not confirmed, The Final Wun additionally may function an finish to Gunna’s time on YSL Information. The rapper’s relationship with the label, led by Younger Thug, has grown publicly sophisticated following his involvement within the controversial YSL RICO trial. Gunna accepted a plea deal that led to his launch, however the transfer allegedly strained his relationship with Thugga. Whereas neither rapper has commented on the rumored pressure, Younger Thug has supplied a number of deleted tweets that gauge his emotions on the matter.
As for the duvet artwork, it was an unique portray designed by artist DeJardin, who told Rolling Stone the image was about speaking the rapper’s mind-set.
“It was about attempting to seize Gunna in his essence of the place he’s in his life,” DeJardin defined, “after which including stylistic parts to it, to signify anger and vengefulness but in addition signify peace, stability, perseverance, grinding. It’s like he’s working by means of his ache and grit, and he has a literal chip on the shoulder as if he’s bought one thing to show proper now.”
Gunna final earned a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with 2022’s DS4EVER, however all of his albums have peaked contained in the chart’s high three, and reached No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart. Whereas it stays to be seen if The Final Wun will do the identical, let’s dive into the music.
Right here is Billboard‘s rating of each tune on Gunna’s The Final Wun.
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“Podcast”
Gunna grumbles his method by means of “Podcast”: energy-wise, the tune dips by means of the ground, begging the query why Gunna felt a must crank out 25 songs within the first place. “Podcast” is one other tune that feels prefer it might have been discarded in favor of somewhat extra selection.
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“Biting My Recreation”
This tune is grating, the melodies repetitive and unremarkable. It’s arduous to not really feel like this tune might have been left to prepare dinner somewhat longer.
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“Made For This S—t”
“Made For This S—t” feels extra like a warm-up than a totally realized monitor. Gunna raps about how haters shouldn’t “play” along with his identify, however his laid-back cadence is so nonchalant it virtually comes off as indifference, as if he wouldn’t thoughts if individuals tried him anyway. Thematically, the tune doesn’t match the vibe Gunna brings, and confuses the listener, who ought to really feel motivated by the monitor.
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“What They Pondering”
Sluggish and uninspired, “What They Pondering” fails to interrupt any new floor for Gunna. Whereas he leans on the acquainted flexing themes that helped solidify his stardom, the power of the monitor feels stale, and lacks the vibrancy wanted to make it come alive.
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“GP”
Late-night escapades and sexual “ecstasy” devour “GP,” however Gunna sounds sleepy as he reminisces on these endeavors. Wunna weaves out and in of the beat with such a indifferent nonchalance, as if he’s simply as bored as we’re.
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“Many Nights”
An introspective and moody opener, “Many Nights” opts for a extra reflective stance. On the monitor, Gunna reminisces on the struggles he’s confronted these previous few years. “Life really feel like a warfare, however Lord protectin’ my soul,” he raps. The tune is comfortable and subdued, and declares Gunna’s arrival with a darker tone than previous releases.
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“Sakpase”
Gunna’s “Sakpase” showcases the rapper’s tight, rapid-fire circulation, however the power flatlines about midway by means of. Wunna doesn’t sound excited to be participating within the lavish way of life he lives, and presents strong motivational gems with a shoulder shrug.
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“Simply Say Dat”
Gunna once more slips proper again into the vibe that fits him greatest, tackling a icy-smooth Turbo beat that’s grow to be his bread and butter. “Simply Say Dat” comes and goes with out a lot influence, checking all of the packing containers of a catchy Gunna tune with out leaving any of his regular earworm residuals.
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“On Me”
On one of many sole moments of deep private reflection on The Final Wun, Gunna explores the state of his profession, and the way he’s discovered to faucet into what actually issues. “These losses startin’ to assist me see what actually issues/These medicine can’t even ever assist me really feel higher/I really feel higher after I’m headlinin’ Coachella/ I’m livin’ out my dream and it ain’t all far fetched.” Listening to Gunna swap up his material for one thing extra substantial is a welcome vibe change.
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“Prototype”
On “Protoype,” Wunna dances round some catchy melodies, which is a refreshing change of tempo from the rapper’s earlier bar-heavy tracks. That is admittedly the primary time Gunna sounds awake and alive on the album, and bodes nicely as listeners enter the meatiest a part of The Final Wun.
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“Membership Home”
Although Gunna’s “Membership Home” presents up some flashy strains like, “Audemar frost what the automotive price, my time can’t be purchased/B—h pores and skin glossed, her lights off, excessive expense when she stroll/She put a Benz up, pull a Benz off,” the tune feels unfinished and rushed. The hook doesn’t anchor the monitor because it must, leaving listeners feeling considerably unfulfilled by the point it wraps up.
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“CFWM”
Wunna sounds engaged as his Auto-Tuned circulation skates out and in of “CFWM.” With just a few songs left earlier than the album ends, it’s refreshing to listen to Gunna step right into a extra energized enviornment with “CFWM’s” beat.
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“Confirmed ‘Em”
The Atlanta rapper spits a number of incendiary bars aimed toward his critics on “Confirmed ‘Em,” and celebrates the spoils that include having made it to the opposite aspect of his struggles. Aside from that, this tune doesn’t carry a lot weight thematically. It’ll seemingly fulfill Gunna’s day-one followers, however received’t win over any new converts.
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“F—ok Witcha Boy”
It’s good to listen to Gunna swap his circulation up on “F—ok Witcha Boy,” because the Atlanta rapper appears to be having a superb time bouncing all around the tune. “I’m pushing and lifting it up, I’m ’bout to chop up this summer time/Advised her I don’t need no rice after I eat Benihanas.” Good to know, Gunna!
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“Him All Alongside”
Whereas Gunna flexes his standing because the one with the sauce on “Him All Alongside,” the monitor ends far too rapidly to really feel like a satisfying album nearer. Although it presents some good melodic moments fueled by Wunna’s polished voice, the tune comes throughout as extra of an afterthought, feeling like an pointless add-on to the mission quite than a definitive conclusion.
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“At My Purest” (Feat. Offset)
Gunna and Offset discover the spoils of fame on “At My Purest” with a splash of paranoia, as each rappers admit that the rock-star way of life may not be suited to everybody. “L.A. property behind the gate, don’t let ‘em know my addy,” Gunna murmurs, encapsulating the strain between luxurious and distrust. Nonetheless, Offset and Gunna don’t complement one another in addition to they need to. With Offset adopting Gunna’s circulation as a substitute of sticking to his personal cadence, the chemistry between the duo doesn’t come out of the tune as a lot because it ought to. Their dynamic, because of this, struggles to shine, inflicting “At My Purest” to really feel much less impactful than it might have been.
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“Satisfaction” (feat. Asake)
Asake feels disappointingly underutilized on “Satisfaction,” as his verse appears to come back and go as wistfully as a mild breeze. Whereas Gunna sounds proper at residence over the tune’s acquainted slow-burn entice background, there’s no denying an Asake characteristic ought to have taken this monitor to thrilling new heights.
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“Limitless”
Braggadocious and rambunctious, Gunna does his factor on “Limitless” as he simply spits info about his way of life as a well-known rapper. “Wunna the illest (Illest)/Cash, I wanna print it (Cash)/This s—t limitless,” he raps in a method the place I can image him with a sly grin.
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“Once more”
Buoyancy is Gunna’s greatest buddy on “Once more,” because the rapper yearns for his love over some glossy piano chords and thumping 808s. His spitfire circulation sounds invigorated as he bounces round “Once more” with a bit extra urgency than earlier songs on the album. It’s good to listen to he can nonetheless have a superb time when the circumstances are good.
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“WGFT” (Feat. Burna Boy)
Whereas Burna Boy has delivered stronger verses previously, the Afro-fusion star effortlessly outshines Gunna on “WGFT.” Along with his signature suave sophistication, Burna brings a refreshing power to the monitor, although his verse feels disappointingly transient. Nonetheless, his contribution injects a much-needed dose of Afro aptitude, providing a dynamic and welcomed shift inside Gunna’s sonic panorama.
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“I Can’t Really feel My Face” (Feat. Nechie)
Nechie and Gunna commerce bars with ease on “I Can’t Really feel My Face,” and feels virtually like a torch is being handed to the previous. Nechie feels a bit looser and extra freeform on the beat than Gunna, providing his personal distinct interpretation of the laid-back cadence that has grow to be an indicator of Atlanta rap.
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“Uncommon Event”
“Uncommon Event” sees Gunna absolutely in his aspect, delivering his signature quippy cadence whereas rapping in regards to the trappings of wealth and fame. True to its title, it’s a “uncommon event” to catch Gunna exterior, however this monitor effortlessly captures that vibe everyone knows and love from the Atlanta rapper.
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“Let That Sink In”
Gunna and Turbo hit the cruise management button with “Let That Sink In,” a {smooth}, relaxed monitor that hits all the proper factors of a superb Gunna tune. Higher songs await on the mission, however “Let That Sink In” serves as a pleasant re-introduction to the vibe Gunna has mastered at this level in his profession.
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“Perpetually Be Mine” (Feat. Wizkid)
Gunna and Wizkid sound wonderful collectively on “Perpetually Be Mine,” even when Wiz’s verse feels somewhat half-baked. The YSL signee brings Wizkid deep into his world, and forces him to adapt to the sluggish, moody entice power that drives the monitor. Listening to Wiz step exterior his consolation zone into Gunna’s atmospheric entice world is thrilling, however Wiz disappears into the tune’s fog, with Gunna nonetheless doing many of the legwork on the latter half.
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“Gained’t Cease”
The lead single off Gunna’s The Final Wun is way and away the very best tune on the album. Anchored by a catchy hook, flashy wordplay and a hard-hitting beat, it’s no shock that Gunna is placing a lot power behind this monitor. With its infectious power and polished execution, it’s clear why this tune is getting the highlight.