Childish Gambino rides into the sunset with Bando Stone and The New World

Review by Rob Hinkal

It’s been a hot minute since we got to properly celebrate the release of a new Childish Gambino EP. After the release of Awaken, My Love in 2016, and the ensuing success of its hit single, Redbone, Donald Glover would go on to release the chart-topping smash hit single, This is America, in the summer of 2018. Bolstered by its provocative and acclaimed music video, the song would go on to win Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 61st Grammy Awards.

Then, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Glover dropped 3.15.20. Including guest appearances by the likes of Ariana Grande and 21 Savage, it was rereleased as Atavista earlier this summer, with the inclusion of the new track Human Sacrifice and other edits to the original edition. So, here we are in July 2024 with Bando Stone and the New World. The album which Glover has stated is going to be his final release under the pseudonym “Childish Gambino”. Is it a fitting swan song for one of the most mercurial and iconic hitmakers of the 2010s? Definitely.

Glover doesn’t restrict himself at all here, with Bando feeling like a musical flex in every way possible. Spanning multiple genres, it’s admirable how much aplomb he is able to swerve between the different conventions of each one with what feels like minimal effort. One minute, you’re bopping along to the 2000’s rock-inspired Lithonia, and a few minutes later, you’re vibing with the chill, relaxed, Beach Away. There are also several rap tracks on Bando that harken back to the “Because the Internet” era, albeit with a bit more of a mature lyrical focus and production. In my opinion, these prove to be some of the weaker tracks on the album. They’re not bad, but just lack the sort of oomph that made 3005 and Sweatshirt the classics that they are now (at least for people my age). 

There are a couple of tracks here and there which do feel like they could have been left off to make for a more compact and concise listening experience. At 17 tracks and a one-hour runtime, this feels like a surprisingly long album. Perhaps, to a certain extent, it is the aforementioned constant changes between musical styles and genres that can create a somewhat disjointed feeling between songs.

Bando is exquisitely produced. My earbuds sadly kicked the bucket just a few days ago so what I couldn’t listen to in my car, I listened to on my phone speaker (I know, I wasn’t happy about it either) and I still felt like the album sounded amazing. I’m listening to it in the same format as I write this and can attest, I’m not feeling cheated whatsoever*. This is one of the best-sounding albums of the year. 

So did I love Bando Stone and the New World? I loved certain tracks and moments of the album. As an overall experience, I felt it to be a bit bloated and at times taking itself a bit too seriously. But hey, this is a finale for Childish Gambino. You can’t fault Glover for just straight-up going as far as he has here. It’s an album that deserves your time and is a sonic journey that you’ll be more than happy to be lost within. It’s a nice goodbye and one that will have you smiling as you sing along.

*I upgraded to my laptop speakers after typing this, just for you.

4/5 Stars