Childish Gambino - Atavista

 

Childish Gambino — Atavista

140-gram double LP with booklet

Reimagined "finished" version of Childish Gambino's 2020 album 3.15.20

For years, Childish Gambino's Atavista hid in plain sight. When he released an unfinished version of the record on March 15, 2020, it spent just 12 hours on his website before he pulled it down. Reappearing on streaming a week later as 3.15.20, the project brought up almost as many questions as sparkling neo-soul anthems, which still sounded slicker than the average as raw cuts titled after timestamps.

Atavista, described by Gambino (the musical stage name of performer Donald Glover) as a "finished version" is an ode to impermanence, never more directly than over the glimmering guitar of "Time" with Grande. ("One thing's for certain, baby/We're running out of time," they harmonize on the chorus.) But in Gambino's capable hands, Atavista also slows down to enjoy the view, the sonic equivalent of a luxe leather-interior BMW cruising an open California highway. The album features guest performances by Ariana Grande, 21 Savage, and Summer Walker.

"I did what I wanted to," he revels on closing track "Final Church." Atavista took many shapes over the years to reach a final form. In each warm refrain, tight sequence, and carefully chosen collaborator, Gambino demonstrates why some things are worth waiting for.

 

Side A

1. Atavista

2. Algorythm

3. Time feat. Ariana Grande

Side B

1. Psilocybae (Millennial Love) feat. 21 Savage, Ink & Kadhja Bonet

2. To Be Hunted

Side C

1. Sweet Thang feat. Summer Walker

2. Little Foot Big Foot feat. Young Nudy

Side D

1. Why Go To The Party

2. Human Sacrifice

3. The Violence

4. Final Church

Be the first to write a review for this item OR just rate it