Awaken My Love was a unique departure from the music we are used to hearing from Childish Gambino. After nearly a year and a half of waiting and guessing, Childish Gambino’s third studio album  Awaken My Love has hit the airwaves and is making huge noise. For me being a huge fan of his music, I was beyond pumped to hear that he was finally releasing an album especially after the Grammy nominations he got for his last album Because of the Internet.

This time Gambino is back with a different tune; relying more on interesting beats and his beautiful singing voice, this album was unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. I was honestly so surprised that Gambino was able to make the transition so smoothly from mostly rap on his first album, Camp to exclusively singing with very few rapping in his new music.

Certain songs like Redbone and California really showcase the unique and funk vibe Gambino was trying to bring out in his music. But he also conveys strong messages in songs like Baby Boy, Zombies, Boogieman and Stand Tall. In Zombies he delves into how people can be conniving and even feed off the success of others referring to them as “Zombies”. For example Gambino sings, “They can smell your money and they want your soul.” In “Boogieman” Gambino brings his take on the violence against African Americans singing, “With the gun in your hand I’m the Boogieman, I’m gonna come and get you,” portraying the racial fear people have of African Americans in America.

The second to last song on his album Baby Boy really shows the heart and soul of his voice and his lyrics “Please don’t take my Baby Boy, don’t take my pride and joy.” explain his song being about his newborn son he had not that long ago.

Overall, I have to say this album really did surprise me with how good it actually is and how much I’ve grown to enjoy it. At first I was a bit skeptical about him switching from rapping to singing but it has really paid off. Because of that songs like California and Boogieman have became some of my favorite songs from him.

After numerous listenings, I have to say this album may not be for everyone due to the songs being so out there.  I’m glad that Gambino can find success trying a new and different thing in the music industry.