Dear Mr. Glover,
Your new album, Bando Stone and The New World, is very good. My favorite tracks are “Steps Beach” (4), “No Excuses” (11), and “Dadvocate” (15). I have been made aware that this album will also be the soundtrack of an apocalyptic, survival, comedy film by the same name. Well isn’t that exciting!
I’ve also heard this is your last album as Childish Gambino and you are now retiring…That’s fine. I understand there are times in one’s life when they must move on. I won’t take this decision personally, though it will have detrimental effects on my mental health and the world around me. UK magazine New Musical Express refers to this release as a “bittersweet farewell” because of the album’s lack of cohesion compared to your past works. This may be true, but I think the lack of cohesion works with the album’s message, rather than against it. You told the New York Times that the Childish Gambino project is no longer fulfilling to you and that you’re ready to build in a different way. The lack of cohesion in this album mirrors your lost faith in the moniker, but also the different options of artistry and life that you want to explore. The real-time shift of the artist is captured within the album, like a time capsule.
In this album, you sing about fulfillment, faith, and fatherhood. Your son, Legend, is the first voice heard on the album–he asks, “are we gonna die?” to which you reply, “not tonight.” This beginning encapsulates a central theme throughout the release: facing the unknown. The track ends with a similar sentiment as Bando Stone costar Jessica Allain speaks: “I need you to listen to me right now, are you listening? [] Nobody cares.” “Lithonia” was the first single released and it continues this nihilistic perspective with the repeated line, “nobody gives a f*ck.” This was the first single to be released because its lyrics and pop-rock feel most outwardly encapsulate the album’s theme of confusion about one’s place in their career and life. “Steps Beach” is a beautiful song about sweet moments with your family at the beach. Sweet moments with loved ones are fleeting, like each wave that rolls onto the shore, but the love is eternal and infinite, like the ocean. “Dadvocate” is another sweet song about the hardships that being a father and having a family can bring when you are trying to be everyone’s hero but the pressure becomes overwhelming. “Happy Survival” is a great, surf rock-inspired instrumental that provides a pause before the final track. Another theme that reveals itself is that of survival–in both its literal and metaphorical senses.
Donald, If you must retire, I think it’s only fair that I make one last request, a desperate plea. You’ve always embraced theatrics and symphonic elements in your music–most relevant in this album is “No Excuses”–and it got me thinking…have you considered collaborating with British rapper Little Simz? I think I speak for your fans everywhere when I say that we need this. You don’t need to record but if you could at least maybe do a show together…in Santa Cruz…that’d be awesome.
Your run as Childish Gambino may now be over, but rather than grieve what once was, I can’t help but happily anticipate what new, exciting projects you might bring us in this new chapter of your life and career.
Thank you for all you have given us.
Yours truly,
KZSC Music Director