Why Lawd? Explained
Why Lawd? is the second studio album by American neo soul[1] duo NxWorries, which consists of vocalist Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge. It was released physically on June 7, 2024,[2] [3] by Stones Throw Records, and was digitally released a week later on June 14, 2024.[4]
Release
The album's first single, "Where I Go", featuring H.E.R., was released on October 19, 2022, alongside a music video.[5] [6] It was previously debuted at the Double Happiness Festival in December 2020.[7] The second single, "Daydreaming", was released on May 18, 2023, alongside a music video recorded in Grand Theft Auto V.[8] [9] On April 3, 2024, the album was officially announced with the single "86Sentra".[4] "FromHere", featuring Snoop Dogg and October London, was released on May 14, 2024, as the album's fourth single.[10] The album released physically on June 7, 2024.[2] The album's fifth single, "WalkOnBy" featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil, was released on June 11, 2024.[11] It released digitally on June 14, 2024.[12]
Critical reception
Writing for Variety, John Kennedy wrote that the album was an "intriguing listen" with a "level of candor" on themes such as survivor's guilt and emotional unavailability.[13] Dylan Green of Pitchfork described the Knxwledge's production on the album as "some of the most breathtaking production of his career", describing it as "ornately constructed, each a treasure hunt for the tell that it's all made from tiny bits of other songs." AllMusic's Andy Kellman concluded his review stating: 'Paak's litany of woes -- "Roll the windows down, I hope the rain hides my tears"—ensure that his thunder is not stolen.' Stevie Chick's review for The Guardian was critical of the album's lyrics, writing that .Paak was an "unlikable narrator" and that his lyrics were "wildly switching moods between anger, self-pity and desperate horniness." Writing for The Skinny, Logan Walker stated that the album delivered "the sonic smoothness fans have come to expect."
Track listing
Sample credits
- "ThankU" contains a sample of "Thank You Jesus" by Johnnie Wilder Jr.
- "Daydreaming" contains a sample of "You're Gonna Love It" by Stanley Clarke and George Duke.
- "FallThru" contains a sample of "Just One of Your Kisses" by Ralfi Pagan.
- "Battlefield" contains a sample of "Sitting in the Park" by the Ghost Squad.
- "HereIAm" contains a sample of "I'd Like to Stay" by People's Pleasure with Alive and Wild.
- "OutTheWay" contains a sample of "Let's Try Again" by Surface.
- "SheUsed" contains a sample of "She Calls Me Baby" by J Kelly & The Premiers.
- "DistantSpace" contains a sample of "Butterflies" by Smythe.
- "EvnMore" contains a sample of "Urban Shadow" by Yuji Ohno & Friends.
Personnel
Knxwledge
Additional musicians
- Dave Chappelle – words on "ThankU"
- Ann One – background vocals on "MoveOn" and "KeepHer"
- Andra Day – background vocals on "MoveOn"
- BJ the Chicago Kid – background vocals on "MoveOn"
- Thundercat – vocals on "KeepHer"
- Ab-Soul – vocals on "Lookin'"
- José Ríos – lead guitar on "Where I Go" and "WalkOnBy"
- H.E.R. – vocals on "Where I Go"
- J.Mo – lead guitar on "Daydreaming"
- Snoop Dogg – vocals on "FromHere"
- October London – vocals on "FromHere"
- Haley Reinhart – background vocals on "Battlefield"
- Rae Khalil – vocals on "OutTheWay" and "WalkOnBy"
- Charlie Wilson – vocals on "NVR.RMX"
- Dodgr – background vocals on "DistantSpace"
- Leonard "Pudge" Tribbett – drums on "DistantSpace"
- Earl Sweatshirt – vocals on "WalkOnBy"
- Julia Rachelle – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"
- Gemma Castro – background vocals on "WalkOnBy"
Technical
- Dos Pueblos – mixing, engineering
- Mike Bozzi – mastering
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
- Shon "Lawon" Brooks – engineering on "FromHere"
- Frank Vasquez – engineering on "FromHere"
- October London – engineering on "FromHere"
- Gemma Castro – engineering assistance
- Collin Davis – engineering assistance
- Zumo Kollie – engineering assistance
- Jeff "Champ" Massey – engineering assistance
Charts
Notes and References
- Reed. Ryan. February 15, 2017. Watch Anderson Paak's Dramatic Valentine's Day 'Tonight Show' Performance. Rolling Stone. April 7, 2017.
- Web site: Damara Kelly . Tyler . 3 April 2024 . NxWorries announce their long-awaited second album, Why Lawd . 2024-04-09 . . en-US.
- Web site: Castro . Danilo . 2024-04-09 . NxWorries Reveals Star-Studded Tracklist For New Album "Why Lawd?" . 2024-04-09 . . en.
- Web site: Fu . Eddie . 2024-04-03 . NxWorries Announce New Album Why Lawd?, Share "86Sentra" . 2024-04-09 . . en-US.
- Web site: Price . Joe . October 19, 2022 . Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Return as NxWorries With New Song "Where I Go" f/ H.E.R. . 2024-04-09 . . en-us.
- Web site: Abraham . Mya . 2022-10-18 . Anderson .Paak And Knxwledge Set To Release New NxWorries Single With H.E.R. . 2024-06-17 . Vibe. en-US.
- Web site: Lavin . Will . 2020-12-05 . NxWorries debut new track 'Where I Go' at Double Happiness Festival . 2024-06-17 . NME . en-GB.
- Web site: Minsker . Evan . 2023-05-18 . NxWorries Share Video for New Song "Daydreaming" . 2024-06-17 . Pitchfork . en-US.
- Web site: LeJarde . Arielle Lana . May 18, 2023 . NxWorries yearn for a lover in "Daydreaming" . 2024-04-09 . . en.
- Web site: Slingerland . Calum . May 14, 2024 . NxWorries Get Snoop Dogg for Soulful, Slow-Burning "FromHere" . 2024-05-15 . . en.
- Web site: 2024-06-11 . NxWorries Team With Earl Sweatshirt & Rae Khalil On New Song "WalkOnBy": Listen . 2024-06-17 . . en.
- Web site: Samuels . Keithan . 2024-06-14 . NxWorries Release New Album 'Why Lawd?': Stream . 2024-06-17 . . en-US.
- Web site: Kennedy . John . 2024-06-14 . Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Turn Pain Into Pleasure on NxWorries' 'Why Lawd?': Album Review . 2024-06-17 . . en-US.
- Web site: ARIA Top 20 Vinyl Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. June 17, 2024. June 14, 2024.
- Web site: Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. June 22, 2024.
- Billboard 200: Week of June 22, 2024. Billboard. June 20, 2024.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of June 22, 2024. Billboard. June 18, 2024.
