'Donda' review: A revival for Kanye West on divorce album

'Donda' represents a revival, in every sense of the word, for one of pop's most singular talents. – Photo: AP

Kanye West donned a full face mask to host three live-streamed listening parties for his 10th studio album. Beyond that, he didn't say a word, or even tweet. After years of alienating longtime fans with forays into conservative politics and sometimes exhausting media spectacle, pop’s King of All Controversy mostly let the music speak for him when unveiling Donda.

In the tradition of Marvin Gaye’s Here, My Dear or Phil Collins’ Face Value, it’s a prickly, personal divorce album full of introspection, conflicting emotions and bursts of musical innovation. It’s also a nearly-overbooked showcase for of-the-moment talent, some half West’s age: Shenseea, Fivio Foreign, Baby Keem, The Weeknd, Lil Yachty, Roddy Ricch. There’s drill music alongside church organs - so many organs!