Young M.A – Kween (Album Review)

Young M.A delivers a mixed but ambitious return on “Kween.”

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. MAB Forever

I really wonder where Young M.A pulled the sample for this track from. If I had to guess, I’d say a Harry Potter movie. It’s the last thing I would’ve expected to hear on one of her records. The good news is that she makes great use of it, delivering lyrics about leveling up, making boss moves, and leaving reckless behavior behind in favor of a more sustainable and focused lifestyle. All of it unfolds over production that somehow sounds both dreamy and like it’s wanted for questioning in a murder case.

4. B.B.B.

I’m not sure I’ve heard Young M.A rap with this many different styles before, especially the wavy, airy approach she leans into here. She also fits the production well overall, which carries that boss-level Detroit energy that not every artist can pull off. Lyrically, she raps about taking women from other men and engaging with more freaky women than Sauce Walka. This is probably one of the more unique Young M.A tracks I’ve heard to date.

3. Gyal Dem Ryte

Yes, Young M.A sets the foundation for “Gyal Dem Rite” with a punchy verse built around enjoying toxic relationships, delivered over drill-leaning reggae production. However, the most attention-grabbing moment comes from Tory Lanez. He delivers a layered verse that blends hard-hitting rap with an island-inspired flow, shifting between styles as he reflects on all the women he put through mattresses back in the day. The audio quality of the verse is noticeably low, which hints that it may have been recorded behind bars. Despite that, he went off.

2. Therapy (intro)

One thing I’ve always associated with Young M.A is her “too cool for school” persona in her earlier work. In “Therapy (intro),” she moves away from that completely. Backed by dramatic production with enough knock to let her do her thing, Young M.A reflects on losing family members, how she got into music, and her identity as a tomboy. Throughout the track, she steps away from punchlines and flashy delivery, instead rapping with more emotion. The result is a rawer performance than usual.

1. Open Scars

“Open Scars” finds Young M.A in a more personal space than usual. She addresses mental health struggles, the isolation that comes with success, and her choice to stop using alcohol and drugs. That last point is especially significant considering how often she referenced drinking in earlier material. The production matches the mood with a subdued, emotional feel, but she continues to rap with clarity and confidence. All in all, this feels like the ultimate reset track for M.A.

SONG-BY-SONG RATINGS

1. Therapy (intro) (4.5/5)

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RGM RATING

(71%)

Young M.A returns with a 15-track project that marks a comeback after personal struggles and time away from music. Throughout the album, she experiments with a wide range of production styles, including Jersey club energy, Detroit-influenced grit, and darker, atmospheric textures, while centering her writing on leveling up, discipline, and stepping away from reckless habits.

The project is uneven but ambitious in scope. At her most stripped-back, she drops her usual punchline-heavy approach to reflect on personal loss, her upbringing, and emotional growth, delivering some of her most vulnerable performances to date. On other tracks, she leans deeper into mental health struggles, sobriety, and isolation, showing a more introspective side that feels like a reset in tone and focus.

Elsewhere, she explores more experimental flows and stylistic shifts over unconventional beats, showing versatility even when the execution doesn’t fully land. At times, the album dips into familiar themes that feel less impactful, and there are moments where vocal delivery lacks control or consistency.

Overall, the project positions her in a transitional space, balancing vulnerability and experimentation with elements of her established persona.

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