Bobo's Music Review: 3.15.20 by Childish Gambino

[Bobo 514]

"The cover of Gambino's 3.15.20"

 

Bobo's Review of 3.15.20 by Childish Gambino

 

During the pandemic-ridden year of 2020, the world needed some light at the end of the tunnel. California Rapper/Singer/Songwriter and Actor Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) brought that light and more on his fourth studio album 3.15.20. The LP sees Gambino take on a more futuristic, dystopian vibe–talking about how computers are altering the world as we know it, with references to human evolution on Algorhythm. That’s just one example. 3.15.20 is all about moving forward, and recognizing the issues we face now and solving them before we run out of time. Some of these issues go from climate change, self-love, violence, drug usage, and more. So, let’s dive into the tracks. 

 

1; Algorhythm:

 

Technology has changed our world as we know it, and Gambino recognizes it on the first “real” song of the project: Algorhythm. In the song, Gambino raps about “supercomputer status” and how “everyone is an addict”, which refers to smartphones and their impact on the world. That, along with how the internet takes over our lives and treats us like guinea pigs. He mentioned likes or dislikes, coal mine canaries, and how humans aren’t the move. Likes and dislikes are used by many social media platforms as a way of receiving/sending feedback. Coal mine canaries were used in coal mines to detect poisonous gases in the mine. I believe that Gambino was using “coal mine canaries” as a form of symbolism, for people who detect toxicity online. The song also talks about a perfect “algorhythm” that makes you move and groove. I believe that this is referencing an online algorithm that allows you to maximize profits on sites such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to name a few. The robotic overlay on the vocals, along with the techno-synthwave beat creates a futuristic vibe, which complements the lyrics about how the internet is taking over human life. It’s a great sounding track overall. 

 

2; Time (feat. Ariana Grande):

 

This song takes a different turn compared to the prior track’s futuristic and dystopian feel. Time sees Gambino talk about a relationship that is “running out of time” and foreshadowing some kind of event that will change the course of their lives. That event is most likely relating to a breakup that is inevitable. They talk about how time is power, time is everlasting yet they can’t wait around, etc. They question the world’s meaning, whether the sky will fall down, and if the stars are all dreams; all because of an inevitable breakup. On top of Gambino’s rapping, the dreamy instrumental and Grande’s angelic background vocals really help build the vibe this track emits. It’s an all around good sounding track, with easy-to-understand lyrics and meaning. This might be one of the best tracks on the album. 

 

3; 12.38 (feat. 21 Savage, Ink & Kadhja Bonet)

 

After the dreamy romantic track that was Time, Gambino partnered up with Atlanta rapper 21 Savage, fellow California rapper Ink (Kid Ink), and California singer/songwriter and musician Kadhja Bonet to create the musical masterpiece that is 12.38. Over the duration of the song, Gambino raps about a love interest of his, perhaps the love interest from the previous song, that he is deeply in love with. They both take a psychedelic drug called “psibocylin” which is a fungus. Gambino raps about the trip, and the things they both experienced while on the substance. He talks about how she is “cancerous” and how she will ruin his life, but then still wants to marry her. But she just wants to be friends with Gambino. Their relationship is best described in this line, “This ain’t special, baby, this is fun,” Sang beautifully by Bonet. Savage raps about his possessions, how he is a boss, and him flexing. He says a line that stood out to me: “They mad because I made me a boss without crack,” a line that further builds on his flexing persona, but still stood out to me. The song finishes off with Bonet singing about the day after the high, and Ink rapping about “taking it back to the crib” most likely referring about the drugs they took the night prior, in a flashback sort of sense. Great song, with mellowed out instrumentals. 

 

4; 19.10:

 

On the song straight after 12.38, Gambino talks about how being beautiful is the same as being hunted, and how he can’t change that reality. In the song, he also says that we all are “beautiful”, implying from what I said before, that we are all hunted and wanted by society. No matter who you are, you are always on someone’s radar. The jumpy, upbeat instrumental with booming drums and bass–heavily autotuned vocals–and its following a song all about Gambino chasing a love interest he finds attractive, makes this song one of the better ones on the project in my opinion. 

 

5; 24.19:

 

“To be beautiful is to be, hunted,” Gambino says on 19.10. That same principle is seen in the track following 19.10, how a woman who he finds to be sweet and attractive is being hunted. The love interest he seems to be going after also has another relationship, hinted towards several times during the track’s duration. “You wanna hold me, but you can’t, sweet thing,”  is one of the lines. He thanks the woman for “showing him what love can be”, a line that solves his ever-so-desperate attempt to find true love. He ends off the song with saying he’s losing his mind over something, which is unknown at the time. The beat has an upbeat sound with the triangle and synth overlay, but then changes to something more slowed down and eerie feeling. A great track, especially with the surreal sounds of his vocals and the echo/tunneling effect pulled off well. 

 

6; 32.22:

 

32.22 goes in a completely new direction that hasn’t been shown yet on this album–dark and dreary. From the beat and raspy vocals, to the off-putting lyrics, the song carries a bad vibe. It also carries some elements that directly tie to Gambino’s award-winning single This Is America. From the reference of people on fire, which was shown multiple times in the music video for This Is America. He also talks about him “being the man” and how he shouldn’t be “fired” (which could be an alternate meaning of death). He references Billie Jean, a love interest from the song Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. He says, “Billie Jean is on fire,” which again could tie back to the single. Overall, the song is all about mayhem, with ties back to This Is America. Great song when you pay full attention to it. 

 

7; 35.31:

 

The song following the eerie and disturbing tone of 32.22, 35.31 might be the most upbeat sounding song (for the most part) in the entire album. The guitar loop, with the clap and drum track in the background creates a beat that you could clap and bop your head too, along with the catchy lyrics of: “Little foot, big foot, get out the way...I’ma show y’all how to move this yay.” It then takes a bit of a dark turn, with references of drugs in “snow”, guns, murder, and prison sentences in the line: “He was only sixteen, he was looking at three...now he looking at nine pray to God he don’t speak.” It’s an interesting tune, that goes from happy and catchy lyrics, to a deeper and more off putting tone in the bars. He then talks about his dad being locked up when he was seven, making drugs, and talking about him not being able to choose the life of a hustler when he was young. The song is all about a kid escaping the life of the streets with a dance that relieves the pain he faces. Gambino also talks about how this kid only has the life of a hustler for him. The song turns into more of a trap beat at the end, with the lyrics being reversed and distorted, immediately transitioning to the next. Great song, deep lyrics, nice vibe. 

 

8; 39.28:

 

Gambino took us on a journey with this past song, but this next one is a direct follow up to the previous. The backwards lyrics at the end of 35.31 are now clear in this song. In 39.28, Gambino talks about him feeling incomplete without a certain person, most likely this person is the love interest seen in previous songs on this LP. He can’t do anything without the love interest, and even says that it’s hard for him to love himself when you (the love interest) is not here. Make sure to remember that as the next few songs come and go. He just seems sad and lonely on this track, with nowhere to go. That is especially shown in this lyric, “Grief is a standing ocean, I never swam unless you did.” It’s one of the shorter songs on the tracklist, but a very important one for the rest of the album, as it sets up a key idea that is shared between the next couple of tracks. 

 

9; 42.26 (Feels Like Summer):

 

Being one of the only singles released prior to the album’s release, 42.26 (Feels Like Summer) is a song that is all about global warming, and its impacts on the people on Earth. In the song, Gambino says he “feels like summer” and “this feel like summer”, implying how everyone feels the effects of global warming, and how it’s impacting the world around us. “Every day gets hotter than the one before,” and, “I’m hopin’ that this world will change...but it just seems the same,” are more examples of the effects of global warming. The second excerpt talks about how people want change, but never really try and achieve change, they only hope. Not only does this song talk about global warming, it also talks about the effects of pollution on the world too, in the line: “Air that kills the bees that we depend upon.” The song portrays a very real message, and has a very chill, relaxed, summer-time feel to it. It’s one of the best on the album so far, and one of Gambino’s more real songs in my opinion. 

 

10; 47.48 (The Violence):

 

The song following the environment-aware track that was 42.26 (Feels Like Summer) talks about another real issue in the world: violence and self love. The importance of loving who you are is a really important thing for human beings, and in this track, Gambino’s son Drake Glover talks about who he loves in his life with his father (Donald Glover). It’s one of the most heartfelt parts of the album for many, including myself, because of how the three year old spreads such a powerful message. It’s truly incredible. The violence, which is represented in many ways on this track, is a symbol of many different things. Some include how kids and the youth “shot down” the violence, and how gang affiliation has left a man with the violence. From these examples, the violence seems to be something that everyone has experienced in some way, shape, or form. A sort of lasting effect that you can’t get rid of, unless someone sees hope and happiness. Little boys playing around can shoot down the violence from seeing them having fun. It’s a way to escape the trauma of past experiences relating to the violence. Gambino also says to “not worry about tomorrow” and focus on yourself now before looking ahead. That is an important message, in how many find themselves forgetting about their issues now, rather than their issues tomorrow. The messages, on top of the happy sounding beat (with guitar, synth, and flute harmonization at the end) makes this song such a breath of fresh air from the prior ones. My personal favorite on the album. 

 

11; 53.49:

 

With his realization of his son’s words about how he loves himself. Gambino seems to feel complete on this final track, talking about how he loves himself now, and that nothing can stop him. He says a line that summarizes a key message in the song: “There is love in every moment...under the sun boy.” This line says more than you think. All this time, he has been desperately searching for love, but now he realizes that everything in this world contains some kind of love. He thinks that he looks good, he feels good, and says, “I love me..do what you want to do.” He then tests the listeners with different hypothetical situations, asking “what you gonna say?” every time. At the end of the track, he repetitively says, “Dance lil’ mama...get loose,” which I think refers to Gambino getting everyone to do what you wanna do, and to forget about tomorrow. Not too much to say for this song, since it is a shorter one. The relieving sound of the instrumental (heavy drums and synth), and the whole message of self love makes this track a solid one. Not his best on the album though. 

 

FINAL GRADE: B+

 

Click to listen to the full project.

 

WORD COUNT: 2208 WORDS, 12218 CHARACTERS.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Bobo

[DMaximus 1,046]

I absolutely love this. Next time make the album review VHL related and get that sweet TPE for this amazing effort!

[Bobo 514]

1 minute ago, DMaximus said:

I absolutely love this. Next time make the album review VHL related and get that sweet TPE for this amazing effort!

That will take some creativity. Thanks for the nice words, I really appreciate it .

[mediocrepony 1,216]

god this album is so good

[Bobo 514]

2 minutes ago, GrittyIsKing09 said:

god this album is so good

agreed

[mediocrepony 1,216]

if you don't mind, could I maybe do one or two albums that I enjoy in this format? i can credit you with the original idea?

[Bobo 514]

Just now, GrittyIsKing09 said:

if you don't mind, could I maybe do one or two albums that I enjoy in this format? i can credit you with the original idea?

Sure, go right ahead  

[der meister 3,188]

I love Cul-de-sac but other stuff I've heard from him is hit or miss. How does this compare to Cul-de-sac?