25

Chicago rapper G Herbo's 2020 album PTSD was heavy on lyrical themes of mental health and recovery from trauma, presented through energetic performances and potent drill instrumentals. Fourth studio album 25 (named for Herbo's age at the time of the album's release) continues the momentum of PTSD. While Herbo is less focused on topics of anxiety and depression, there's plenty of autobiographical content centered around pain and loss. The somber piano loop, trap hi-hats, and autotuned hooks of "Cry No More" (featuring excellent contributions from both Lil Tjay and Polo G) is one of the album's strongest tracks and an excellent example of the overall tone 25 conveys. Stories of violent struggles in the street, fallen friends, and lessons learned on the way from gang life to rap fame make up many of the songs, culminating in the raw retelling of Herbo's climb up until this point on "Turning 25." The production is slick and the instrumentals vary enough to keep 25's almost hour-long running time interesting. Most of the 19 tracks find Herbo at the mic alone, but some of the best tracks are those where guests join in, such as the zoned-out melodic funk of "You Can't," featuring Gunna and The Kid LAROI, as well as the ruthless bag of "T.O.P." featuring an effortlessly fluid verse from 21 Savage.