Rod Wave continues to shine by releasing heartfelt music with “Last Lap.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Even More
What a beautiful f**king song.
Nah, this is the track that had me in my feelings the most from this album. Supported by a gentle, alternative trap-pop beat, Rod Wave reflects on the aftermath of a breakup. He mainly talks about hitting the clubs to get back at his ex and constantly replaying the missed opportunities in the relationship. Ultimately, Rod feels like there were too many wasted moments between them.
Rod Wave’s vocal delivery is gentle yet heartfelt in this track, and the melody he brings is truly mesmerizing. Additionally, his lyrics are raw and authentic, making the song feel deeply relatable.
5. D.A.R.E.
Rod Wave sounds very irritated in this track.
Rod Wave talks about balancing both highs and lows in “D.A.R.E.,” admitting that he often experiences more of the lows. He also mentions smashing women who don’t even like his music and being prepared for conflict with his rivals at all times. Though I don’t love the moments in the track where he sounds like he’s about to crash out over some dumb s**t, I love when he brings out his emotional vocals, sounding like the weed finally got to the soft side of his brain.
4. Karma
Of course, I believe in karma. Have you seen all the parlays I’ve lost over the past few years?
“Karma” definitely has a haunting quality to it. The instrumental sets an uneasy tone with its delicate yet emotional guitar licks that immediately captured my attention. Over this, Rod Wave expresses a longing for peace, reflects on the pressures of fame, and questions the authenticity of love and karma. What stands out is Rod’s vocal delivery—it’s subdued and conversational, almost as if he’s confiding in the listener. It just feels like he wrote the track while laying in his bed alone after attending a party he headlined.
3. Passport Junkie
Flying chicks out is next-level flexing.
In “Passport Junkie,” Rod Wave reflects on a relationship with a woman who’s drawn to the lavish lifestyle—constantly traveling, partying, and spending money. True to his style, Rod injects the track with a sense of melancholy, emphasizing how even luxurious destinations like Miami have lost their charm for her.
Rod Wave begins the song with a calm, laid-back delivery but transitions to his signature powerful vocals toward the end, bringing an emotional intensity that contrasts beautifully with the smooth, trap-inspired production. On the real, the reason this track made my list is because of the end; I f**king love it.
2. Fall Fast In Love
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with falling fast in love with the right person. You just need to avoid falling in love with those who like baby oil.
In “Falling Fast In Love,” Rod Wave expresses his desire to form a deep connection with someone quickly, while hoping the other person feels equally drawn to him. Set against a poignant instrumental with subtle trap influences, the track showcases Rod’s signature vulnerable and heartfelt vocals. He must’ve found himself an Angel Reese.
1. Last Lap
Yo, my soul flew the hell away while I was listening to this track.
n my original review of this album, I inexplicably left “Last Lap” out of the top 5 songs list. Because of that, I slapped myself so hard, my eye now looks like Scottie Pippen’s after he caught an elbow from Alonzo Mourning. All jokes aside, this song has everything you could want from music: a powerful choir, an upbeat instrumental that perfectly straddles the line between dramatic and uplifting, and meaningful lyrics from Rod about his homies’ trials and tribulations. Most importantly, it’s filled with raw passion. What the f**k was I thinking leaving this song out of this list?
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Turtle Race (3.5/5)
2. Last Lap (4.5/5)
3. Apply Pressure (4/5)
4. 25 (4/5)
5. Fuck The Fame (Ft. Lil Baby & Lil Yachty) (3.5/5)
6. Federal Nightmares (3.5/5)
7. Angel With An Attitude (3.5/5)
8. The Best (3.5/5)
9. Never Mind (4/5)
10. Mike (3.5/5)
11. Even Love (4/5)
12. Waited 2 Late (3.5/5)
13. D.A.R.E. (4/5)
14. The Mess They Made (4/5)
15. Karma (4/5)
16. Spaceship (3.5/5)
17. Lost In Love (3.5/5)
18. Bachelor (3/5)
19. Scared Love (3.5/5)
20. Fall Fast In Love (4.5/5)
21. Passport Junkie (4.5/5)
22. IRan (4/5)
23. Jersey Numbers (Ft. Rylo Rodriguez) (3.5/5)
RGM RATING
(C) (76%)
Who the hell is cutting codeine-infused onions in this muthaf**ka?
In Last Lap, Rod Wave stays true to his emotional core, delivering the heartfelt music his fans expect. However, there’s a notable shift in his lyrics, which feel more balanced and optimistic compared to his earlier work. While he still touches on themes like lost love, loneliness, and dealing with the repercussions that came with growing up in the streets in relationships, Rod also highlights his newfound success, lavish lifestyle, and treating women he values. This duality brings a sense of growth and maturity to his songwriting.
Vocally, Rod leans heavily into his singing on this album, with fewer rap verses than fans might be used to. Instead, he focuses on delivering powerful, passionate vocals that feel like he’s pouring his heart out, particularly in moments where he closes tracks with raw emotion.
The production on Last Lap by Rod Wave definitely stands out for its diversity. While much of the album retains his signature emotional trap sound, there are moments where Rod experiments with other genres. These shifts in style offer a glimpse of what his music could sound like if he continues to explore more commercial, mainstream avenues.
If I’m being honest with you, I thought this album had more stale moments than exciting ones. I just didn’t feel the same pizazz and charm that we got in Rod Wave’s previous album, which I absolutely love. However, the good news is this: We still get the same version of the rapper; the one who has zero issues with pouring his complete heart out to us.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
