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A few months after Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) distributed the revised version of his 2020 album Atavista, the rapper is back with the official soundtrack to his upcoming sci-film Bando Stone & The New World.
This album will mark the final LP Gambino will release under his artistic moniker, which was confirmed back in April during the rapper's Gilga Radio event, where it was stated,
"We’re releasing Atavista, but after that, there’s the final Childish Gambino album — a soundtrack for the fans."
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Fans got the first looks at the project when Gambino took to social media last month to announce the release of the album's lead single Lithonia. This record was later dropped alongside the official movie trailer for Bando Stone and The New World.
Breaking down Childish Gambino's last studio album, Bando Stone & The New World
During the official album rollout, Gambino previewed two singles before officially dropping the project. A week before the LP dropped, the rapper released an emotional love ballad In The Night (Feat. Jorja Smith and Amaarae), highlighting the highs and lows of being involved in a toxic relationship.
About this being his final outing under his famed moniker, the artist sat down for an exclusive interview with the New York Times magazine, where he stated,
"It really was just like, Oh, it’s done, It’s not fulfilling. And I just felt like I didn’t need to build in this way anymore."
Gambino's Bando Stone & The New World has a complete runtime of one hour and was distributed to DSPs yesterday via RCA Records, under an exclusive license from mcDJ Recording. Notable themes highlighted on this LP:
- Love
- Relationships
- Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Family
- Nostalgia
- Success
- Wealth
- Fame
- Insecurities
- Unfaithfulness
- Human Connection
- Divinity
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader's discretion is advised.
H3@RT$ W3RE M3@NT TO F7¥ (Feat. Amaarae)
(Production Credits: Childish Gambino)
The soundtrack opens with a dance music-inspired record, "Hearts Were Meant To Fly," which is stylistically titled H3@RT$ W3RE M3@NT TO F7¥. A futuristic production that mixes blaring synths with thick drum sequences fuels the track.
Both artists deliver assertive vocal performances that draw listeners into the dystopic universe of Bando Stone. Notable lines from this song include,
"Kissin' on me, hold on me, roll on me, s--t, huh / She don't know me, she just know what's on my wrist, uh / This is not a Rolex, she only wanna ball now / She think she got a man, so she only wanna talk now"
Lithonia
(Production Credits: Ludwig Göransson, Michael Uzowuru, and Max Martin)
Fans are then reintroduced to the lead single Lithonia, which dropped earlier this month. Sonically, this record has an ambient and spacy production that tells the story of a man named Cody LaRae who abandons his pursuit of success after realizing that nobody around him "gives a f--k".
The duality of his lyricism finds Glover mixing in personal experiences to provide an emotional depth to the record, where he shouts out his hometown of Lithonia while simultaneously appearing to struggle with the fact that his city will never accept his artistry.
"Cody LaRae (Cody LaRae) / He had a break (He had a break) / He's findin' out / That nobody gives a f--k (Oh) / I did my job (I did my job) / I paid my dues (I paid my dues) / Love is for fools / 'Cause nobody gives a f--k"
Survive (Feat. Chlöe)
(Production Credits: DJ Dahi)
On Survive, Gambino teams up with Chlöe to deliver a track about perseverance, highlighting how we should continue to search for small joys in life as time passes and we get older.
The jazz elements on this track stand out subtly supporting the vocal performances from the background before wrapping up Survive on a high note as a solo saxophone sequence ends the song. Notable bars on this track include the reference to artists struggling with streaming income, as seen on lines like,
"I'm a soldier / When I die, say I did it for the culture / Try to live below your means, that's a pro tip / 'Cause them streams pay a n---a like a slow drip / With my son, watching Bluey like we both Crip"
Steps Beach
(Production Credits: Steve Lacy)
Listeners are drawn into an emotional ballad titled Steps Beach, where an acoustic guitar introduces the song before Gambino opens with a transient vocal performance.
The lyricism on this record is reflective and nostalgic and aims to capture Glover's outlook on what "summer" truly means. As the song progresses, we find Gambino highlighting how, despite life's challenges, he's consistently bettered himself and matured as an individual.
"I don't care which way we're heading home now (Ooh) / As long as it's two forward and one back (Oh) / When it's all said and done I want you every lifetime (Oh, oh, oh) / Every day we make moments in the sand (Oh) / Every day we know all this will be washed away (Oh)"
Talk My Sh*t (Feat. Amaarae x Flo Milli)
(Production Credits: Childish Gambino)
Childish Gambino teams up with Amaarae and Flo Milli for a braggadocio record titled Talk My Sh*t. The production on this track is upbeat and compliments each artist's rapid cadence while delving into themes of wealth, luxury, success, confidence, and lifestyle.
Amaarae stands out by carrying the track with bouncy adlibs and an extremely energetic vocal performance where she delivers lines like,
"B---h, I'ma nut in your face, uh / Most of the internet fake / He gonna be real with that gun in his face / She still wanna f--k, yeah, we done it all day / 24 karats, ain't none of them fake / Pop s--t, ho, talk s--t"
Got To Be
(Production Credits: Childish Gambino)
Listeners are introduced to a slow R&B introduction on Got To Be before the record transforms into a blaring EDM track, filled with extremely energetic vocal performances.
Gambino speaks on themes of excess and escapism while delivering bars that depict a lifestyle of constant partying, substance abuse, and self-introspection, as seen on lines like,
"I be messed up every weekend, I'm like / I don't know why I've been drinkin' up / I be messed up every weekend, I'm like / I don't know why I've been smokin' up"
Real Love
(Production Credits: Michael Uzowuru and Sir Dylan)
Gambino explores his vulnerabilities in Real Love, where he appears to be singing to his partner, conveying the appreciation he has for her unwavering love.
The lyricism appears to mostly revolve around themes of relationships and love, with Glover highlighting his desire to be a supportive partner, as seen in lines like,
"It's clear that you're ever lovin', I knew it from the start / I opened my heart and inside was all gone / I never thought anyone else could be my friend / I'm lovin' you every day up until the end"
In The Night (Feat. Jorja Smith and Amaarae)
(Production Credits: DJ Dahi and Kurtis McKenzie)
Listeners are then introduced to the album's second single In The Night, which was released last Friday, and features guest appearances from Jorja Smith and Amaarae. DJ Dahi and Kurtis McKenzie take charge of the production delivering a warm, yet ambient vibe to this record.
The lyricism finds each artist playing a character where they recount instances of unfaithfulness in their relationships, with "love" being treated as an abstract concept. This is best evidenced in Gambino's self-reflective verse, where he sings,
"Your man does nothin' but adore ya / But I wonder, what would he say? You look so good, I can't afford ya / He kissed your lips, it looked like torture for you / Just 'cause you're sweet don't make you loyal / And I wonder, what would he say?"
Yoshinoya
(Production Credits: Triangle Park)
On Yoshinoya, listeners are drawn into the cinematic production with Donald Glover splitting the composition on this track into two parts, where halfway through the song the beat switches into a hard-hitting bass-fueled trap record.
The song delves into themes of loyalty, authenticity, and integrity, with Gambino reflecting on his career, and recounting the pitfalls of wealth, fame, and success. The title of this track references the Japanese food chain "Yoshinoya," which was established in 1899.
The rapper uses this name to draw comparisons to how similar to the restaurant, he too has "stuck around" in the rap game for several years since his first mixtape, The Younger I Get dropped back in 2005. This is best evidenced by the song's opening hook, where Gambino raps,
"That's my brother, don't you know it? I stuck around like Yoshinoya / Stone Mountain read and the caster cord / This my life, I must enjoy it / This my life, they busting for it / We don't hold back, we must move forward / Stay where you at, you're supposed to, boy / N----s is fake, I won't ignore it"
Can You Feel Me (Feat. Legend Glover)
(Production Credits: Michael Uzowuru)
Gambino delivers one of the most interesting and heartfelt cuts on the LP with Can You Feel Me, which features vocals from his son Legend Glover. The track finds both father and son go back and forth over five verses speaking on themes of family, relationships, growth, and maturity.
The most enticing addition to this track is the continuous repetition of the "alphabet table" throughout each verse, alluding to Legend's growing maturity that still has a lot of his child-like essence of wonder and fantasy. This is easily noticed when Gambino's son compares himself to Batman in the second verse.
Glover's verses are significantly deeper as the artist recounts personal instances of failure, grief, and loss when highlighting the importance of family. Throughout the song, Gambino explains how he'll always prioritize his family values over fame and success.
"(A) Sun (B) rain (C) two (D) chains (E) / On (F) me (G) so softly / (H) Halo (I) sky (J) birds (K) fly (L) floating (M) up / (N, O, P) I'll never come back down / (Q) So (R) high (S) your (T) eyes (U) don't (V) cry (W) / I'm all around / (X) Can you (Y) feel me? (Z) Sing"
No Excuses
(Production Credits: Michael Uzowuru and Ludwig Göransson)
Gambino continues on this melancholic vibe with a lengthy track titled No Excuses, which clocks in at over seven minutes. The track's production provides a mix of solo Afro-trap, Jazz, and Pop genre compositions that build up to Glover's hi-pitched vocal performances.
The track appears to delve into themes of isolation, heartbreak, and love, with the rapper highlighting instances of a relationship slowly deteriorating. The chorus is filled with haunting melodies that significantly enhance the reflective and somber tone of the record.
"You don't have to be afraid / I don't cry anymore / You don't need to say your case / I don't lie anymore / You told me to stay inside / I don't love you anymore / You don't have to lie behind my back / I'm not high anymore"
Cruisin' (Feat. Yeat)
(Production Credits: DJ Dahi, Michael Uzowuru, Ludwig Göransson, and Caroline Whitaker)
Childish Gambino teams up with Yeat for an infectious trap record Cruisin'. A frog's croak as part of the drum sequences in the production of this track helps the record stand out for sticking to the sci-fi and dystopic vibe of the accompanying film.
As soon as Yeat enters on the track, listeners are introduced to a heavy synth composition which is part of the rapper's signature sound. The track finds both artists questioning their existence with detached bars that highlight their longing for freedom from life's relentless struggles.
"I wake up and the sun in my eye / Like I'm seeing two Africas / I be livin' my dream / 'Cause this dreamin' is not enough / Oh God (Beat it up, beat it up)"
We Are God
(Production Credits: DJ Dahi)
Gambino delivers an ambient psychedelic track on We Are God alongside producer DJ Dahi who creates transient synths and electric drum sequences that blend into the rapper's auto-tuned vocal performances, bringing the record to life.
The idea of this track is explained by Glover addressing themes of divinity and human connection by comparing "humans" to divine entities. The lyricism of this emphasizes the importance of unity and self-love while highlighting the power of an unbreakable bond or connection, as seen in lines like,
"You're the light / You're the star (Oh) / All is right / All is God / When you feel / All this lost / Inside you / I am found / There is fear / There is pain / Hold my hand / I'll always keep you safe / In the firey dust / I need your touch / Inside you, I am found" - Childish Gambino's opening verse on 'We Are God'.
Running Around (Feat. Fousheé)
(Production Credits: Michael Uzowuru, Riley Mackin, and Tyler Johnson)
Gambino teams up with American singer-songwriter Britanny Fousheé, professionally known as Fousheé, for the song titled Running Around. The track primarily revolves around both artists recounting the relentless energy of their weekend escapades.
The production of this track is reminiscent of early 2000s pop-rock records which highlight both Glover's and Fousheé's, diverse sonic capabilities. Notable bars from this song include,
"Runnin', runnin', runnin', runnin', runnin' / Runnin' out of ammunition / Don't need to fire at my opps, they dig their own ditchеs / I put 3.50 in my tank and I drive to your b---hes / Can't take a brеathe, this life is dank, it smell like old fish sticks / Such a shame, innit?"
Dadvocate
(Production Credits: Sir Dylan and Michael Uzowuru)
Childish Gambino's attempt to relate to the domestic struggles of men and women on Dadvocate is impressive as the track tackles themes of responsibilities, ego, escapism, and negative coping mechanisms.
The track is energetic and fueled by a bouncy composition credited to producers Sir Dylan and Michael Uzowuru. Several bars in this song are humorous and shine through on the record because of Gambino's light-hearted delivery.
"Layin' on the couch, you a baddie in your outfit / Usin' all the Wi-Fi, eatin' all the hot chip / Sendin' me a message like I ain't in the next room / You ain't gotta worry, baby, Daddy comin' home soon, oh"
Happy Survival (Feat. Khruangbin)
(Production Credits: Khruangbin)
Although Happy Survival lacks several distinguishing factors for a full-length track, the song is a perfect closing interlude for the album as Gambino teams up with singer-producer Khruangbin. Together, they deliver an exceptional Lo-Fi reggae production on the LP.
The title of Happy Survival appears to humorously allude to Bando Stone and The New World's plot, where Gambino and his co-stars need to survive monsters, lasers, and more, in a deserted world.
The track ends with a conversation between Glover and his son, Legend, with both individuals playfully discussing if the track would be a hit or not.
"We don't care about the party / We just want to dance / Okay stop right there / Unfortunately, that's a hit / You don't even know what I'm saying"
A Place Where Love Goes
(Production Credits: Ludwig Göransson, Max Martin, Oscar Holter, and DJ Dahi)
Childish Gambino wraps up his last studio album with A Place Where Love Goes, where we see Legend Glover's outro from Happy Survival being used as a core component of the song's hook.
The track is like some of Daft Punk's greatest hits, with Gambino incorporating perfect EDM elements to support his emotional and reflective vocal performances. The song primarily revolves around finding peace in life's challenges.
"All my life / I had to try to survive / But it is all right now / We found a place / A place where love goes / All my life (All my life) / Try to survive (At night I tried) / All right now (Woo-ooh) / We found a place (Woo-ooh) / A place where love goes"
With 17 full-length records, Childish Gambino's Bando Stone & The New World displays a creative range of sounds and vibes ranging from trap to reggae, highlighting the explorative and elaborate nature of his sonic capabilities.
Although it's unclear whether Glover intends to continue making music, this project is an ideal send-off to his alter-ego Childish Gambino, and will probably go down as one of his most artistic projects to date.
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