Why Lawd?

The album's first single, "Where I Go", featuring H.E.R., was released on October 19, 2022 alongside a music video.[5][6] It was previously debuted at the Double Happiness Festival in December 2020.[7] The second single, "Daydreaming", was released on May 18, 2023, alongside a music video recorded in Grand Theft Auto V.[8][9] On April 3, 2024, the album was officially announced with the single "86Sentra".[2][4] "FromHere", featuring Snoop Dogg and October London, was released on May 14, 2024 as the album's fourth single.[10] The album released physically on June 7, 2024.[2][11] The album's fifth single, "WalkOnBy" featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil, was released on June 11, 2024.[11] It released digitally on June 14, 2024.[12]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Why Lawd? received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 from 6 critic scores.[13]

Writing for Variety, John Kennedy wrote that the album was an "intriguing listen" with a "level of candor" on themes such as survivor’s guilt and emotional unavailability.[19] Dylan Green of Pitchfork described the Knxwledge's production on the album as "some of the most breathtaking production of his career", describing it as "ornately constructed, each a treasure hunt for the tell that it’s all made from tiny bits of other songs."[16] AllMusic's Andy Kellman concluded his review stating: 'Paak's litany of woes -- "Roll the windows down, I hope the rain hides my tears" -- ensure that his thunder is not stolen.'[14] Stevie Chick's review for The Guardian was critical of the album's lyrics, writing that .Paak was an "unlikable narrator" and that his lyrics were "wildly switching moods between anger, self-pity and desperate horniness."[15] Writing for The Skinny, Logan Walker stated that the album delivered "the sonic smoothness fans have come to expect."[18]

All music produced by Knxwledge.[3][20] Credits adapted from vinyl liner notes.