Childish Gambino’s fifth and final studio album, “Bando Stone & the New World,” dropped on July 19, 2024, through RCA Records. It also serves as the soundtrack to his upcoming film of the same name. Critics have mostly praised it for its eclectic production, mature songwriting, and Glover’s vocal performance, but some have pointed out a lack of cohesiveness. So, why isn’t this album getting more buzz?

The Background

In 2017, Donald Glover announced he would retire the Childish Gambino moniker after his next project, telling fans at the Governors Ball Music Festival, “I’ll see you for the last Gambino album.” This created a lot of anticipation. Fast forward to 2023, Glover revealed he was working on new music, including a finished version of “3.15.20” called “Atavista” and a new album, “Bando Stone & the New World.” The latter was confirmed as his final album under the Gambino name.

The Concept and Writing

The album features Glover as Bando Stone, a singer navigating a post-apocalyptic world. He teams up with a woman and her son to fight prehistoric creatures and escape an unexplained phenomenon. Glover started working on both the album and the film after completing the final season of his TV series “Atlanta” in 2022. He aimed to make a “big goodbye album” that would force the audience to participate and use their imagination, focusing on anthemic songs for a sense of togetherness. It’s ambitious, it’s daring, but does it all come together? Well, that’s where things get a bit murky.

Composition

“Bando Stone & the New World” spans multiple genres, including alternative R&B, pop, hip-hop, trap, indie pop, hyperpop, rock, Afrobeats, electronic, and jazz. The album feels like an amalgamation of all of Glover’s musical phases. It’s a bit like a musical potluck – some dishes are great, others not so much, but it’s the variety that keeps it interesting.

Promotion and Release

The album’s lead single, “Lithonia,” was released on July 2, 2024, followed by the album on July 19. “Lithonia” is a guitar-driven rock song named after the city in Georgia, described by Abby Jones of Stereogum as “dramatic” and “rock-heavy.” The official music video features appearances from Alex Wolff, Ludwig Göransson, and Suzanna Son. A listening party event in Little Island, New York, included features from Chloe Bailey, Steve Lacy, Flo Milli, Fousheé, Jorja Smith, Yeat, Amaarae, and Glover’s son.

Critical Reception

Critics generally gave positive reviews. Metacritic scored it 75 out of 100 based on eight reviews. Variety’s Jem Aswad called it Glover’s “best and most far-reaching musical project to date,” while Clash’s Robin Murray praised its “maturity and vision.” However, NME’s Kyann-Sian Williams and Pitchfork’s Alphonse Pierre criticized its lack of cohesiveness.

My Take

“Bando Stone & the New World” is an uneven album, but it’s good overall. The standout track for me is “Lithonia,” which exemplifies Glover’s knack for blending different musical styles into something compelling. This song literally touched my soul – it’s the kind of track that makes you pause and think, “Maybe there’s hope for humanity after all.” The album’s eclectic nature is both its strength and its weakness; it tries to do a lot, and while it doesn’t always hit the mark, it often comes close.

Maybe the reason no one is talking about this album is its lack of a clear, cohesive narrative. While the project is ambitious and showcases Glover’s versatility, it doesn’t quite tie together as a unified whole. Despite this, “Bando Stone & the New World” deserves attention for its boldness and creativity. It’s a fitting farewell to the Childish Gambino moniker, even if it isn’t a perfect one.