Kanye West, ‘Mercy’ Feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz

Kanye West has likened himself to Jesus Christ through his career – remember his Rolling Stone cover? -- so it's more than fitting for the rapper to release a new song from his G.O.O.D. Music album on Good Friday of all days. 'Mercy,' featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz, all of which are artists signed to his label, is the first taste of the much-discussed and hotly anticipated G.O.O.D. Music album. So, how "good" is it?

Oh, it's great, actually. 'Mercy' starts out dark and a little creepy, as the rappers drop references to Sarah Palin, white girls and Miss Pac Man, to name a few. There's an undulating beat threaded through the entire song and it almost mimics an eerie piano. There's also an omnipotent voiceover that shows up every once and a while, too.

Even with four rappers laying down verses on the song, it's a compact, tightly constructed tune that feels like a series of freestyle raps that flow into one another flawlessly.

At about three minutes in, the song turns into what feels like an EDM banger. The pace picks up and it feels clubby, with Yeezy delivering his rhymes over a layer of DJ-created beats. He tosses confident and boastful raps, declaring "I step in the Def Jam building / Like I'm the s---" and "I don't do no press / But I get the most press." That latter statement is certainly true. West doesn't talk directly to the media, but he's always a fixture in the press, since he is so fascinating. This song is indicator of why people care so much.

The song then exits the club and returns to the street. It slows back down to a low rider pace. Despite the jarring difference in timing, it's like a song within a song.

Listen to Kanye West 'Mercy' Feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz