From addressing modern romance to dissing “lil” rappers, in his new album, J.Cole accomplishes social commentary and powerful lyricism. On Friday, April 20, J.Cole released his album “KOD.” “KOD” standing for, kids on drugs, king overdosed or kill our demons, is Cole’s first album released in over two years after “4 your eyez only.”

“It was kind of a surprise,” said senior Tristan Cheeseman, a long time Cole fan and hip hop aficionado.

Cole announced his album via Twitter, on April 16, days before its release. Although Cole releases music around every two years, it came somewhat as a surprise, even to hard core Cole fans.

Cole addresses a wide range of issues in “KOD.” In his song “Photograph,” Cole ponders on what romance has become in the modern era, involving social media. The speaker of the song says, “Fell in love through a photograph I don’t even know your name,” expressing his view that there is a disconnect in romance.

Another main theme throughout “KOD” is addiction and dependency on drugs. Cole addresses the issue of drug abuse among acquaintances in his song “FRIENDS.” He raps “I love you ‘cause you my friend without the drugs I want you be comfortable in your skin” and “I know you say it helps and no, I’m not tryna offend but I know depression and drug addiction don’t blend.” The lyrics show his pleas for his friends to get clean and express wide arching impact drug addiction has not only on users, family and friends.

In his other songs, “The Cut Off,” “BRACKETS,” “Once an Addict” and “Window Pain,” Cole expresses feelings on being used for his fame, ponders on the tax system and government, reflects on the guilt he feels dealing with his mother’s alcoholism and tells the story of meeting a young boy who loses his cousin.

Finally, to end his album, Cole addresses the “lil” generation of rappers, such as Lil’ Pump and Lil’ Yachty. He raps, “You coulda bought a crib with all that bread that you done blew” and gives advice while simultaneously dissing them. The feelings over the track are mixed.

“[I felt] a little bit in between cause some of them are pretty good artists but he does have a point,” said Cheeseman. “I liked how he both dissed the artists but also gave them advice.”

Cole created an impactful album in “KOD” expressing his views on various aspects of society and providing fans with yet another thought provoking entry into the Dreamville archives.