Memphis-based rapper GloRilla’s new album Glorious may be her first full album, but with a number of mixtapes and hit singles under her belt, expectations for the record were high. After listening to the album, it seems like fans really didn’t have much to be worried about.
GloRilla’s most striking characteristic has always been her vocal delivery. GloRilla is confident, a must for rappers, but in a very direct, aggressive way. It’s reminiscent of someone like DMX, with her tight, barking delivery. It’s one of her greatest strengths, and she plays it well on this album.
The first portion of this record is pretty much what was expected going in: pump-up bangers lined back to back about kicking ass and taking names. The most noteworthy of these is the hit single “TGIF,” and with its catchy hook and memorable one-liners, it’s not too shocking it’s been the standout of the pre-release singles. But in terms of hype tracks, “TGIF” pales in comparison to the one-two punch of “HOW I LOOK” and “I AIN’T GOIN”. The former features Megan Thee Stallion, and as previously established by songs like “Wanna Be,” it’s a formula that guarantees success. “HOW I LOOK” and “I AIN’T GOIN” have all of the punchy delivery, clever one-liners, and brooding beats fans have come to love about GloRilla, and are some of her best tracks to date.
A personal favorite, “DON’T DESERVE” with Muni Long, shows GloRilla’s anger in one of its most relatable contexts — trying to give advice to a friend who is with a terrible partner. We love the “tough love” approach GloRilla takes on this track, as it’s perfectly suited to her style, while also being entirely relatable to listeners. While GloRilla never takes too huge of a stylistic leap from her bread and butter, Glorious isn’t a one-note record, and she finds some unexpected subject matter and instrumentals to adapt her sound to.
GloRilla takes a brief tangent both lyrically and instrumentally to lean into gospel on the tracks “RAIN DOWN ON ME” and “GLO’S PRAYER”. These songs showcase GloRilla exploring her faith, but in a way that doesn’t clash with the tone of the rest of the album. GloRilla’s pleading with God to forget about a man are in line with her romantic frustrations that she showcases throughout the record. Considering GloRilla was originally a choir singer, this is a nice throwback to a clearly fundamental part of her upbringing. The record ends with two songs featuring two autotuned laced singers, “I LUV HER” and “QUEEN OF MEPHIS”. While both are solid, Fridayy, and any other modern singer can’t keep up with T-Pain. “I LUV HER” is also one of the most heartfelt songs of the album, providing another nice change of pace.
While not every song on the album blew us away, GloRilla’s Glorious is one of the more consistent hip-hop records of 2024. It showcases an artist with both a clearly defined sound, but also wiggle room to keep the listener guessing. Considering many rappers, and artists, in general, either have one sound or are a “jack of all trades, master of none,” this is easily GloRilla’s biggest selling point. Glorious is not only a fun listen on its own, it showcases an artist coming into their own and primed to keep getting better.
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