Rod Wave - Last Lap [2LP]

Rod Wave's Last Lap stretches across two LPs, a sprawling 2024 album that finds the St. Petersburg, Florida singer and rapper taking stock of everything success has cost him.

His sixth studio album arrived on the heels of a run that had turned him into one of hip hop's most dependable hitmakers, built on a style that blends soul-baring melody with street storytelling. Few artists in the genre lay their pain out quite so plainly, and that vulnerability is exactly what his audience connects with.

"Turtle Race" opens the record in reflective mode, and the title track carries the album's theme of pushing toward the finish line with everything on the line. "25" keeps the confessional mood going, while "Passport Junkie" lets a little more light in as the album heads toward its closing stretch. Lil Yachty and Lil Baby drop by along the way, and Rylo Rodriguez joins for the final track.

The production keeps things lush and spacious, with gospel-tinged keys, rolling drums and plenty of room for that aching voice to carry the emotion.

With 23 tracks spread over four sides, it plays like a long late-night conversation, the kind fans tend to return to whenever life gets heavy.