Houston’s very own, Travis Scott, released his third studio album, Astroworld, this month that has already received critical acclaim and chart-topping success. A montage to a long lost amusement park from his hometown, Astroworld pulsates as a collage of celestial imagery, superb production and a dazzling psychedelic world that’s curated through Scott’s lyrical talent and euphoric vocals.
Undoubtedly one of his strongest albums to date, Travis Scott’s creative approach and surreal artistry has risen the 26-year old emcee to mainstream dominance, recording along side the likes of Kanye West, Drake, Migos, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Frank Ocean and others.
A self-proclaimed singer than rapper, Scott’s preferred auto-tuned style offers a trippy-sounding and cloudy vibe to his music – two components that allow listeners to be lost in a hallucinating penumbra of unexpected musical arrangements, mesmerizing sound and alluring lyricism. Scott’s mastery in the studio is shown exponentially on Astroworld and it’s an approach that allows for an excellent listen from start to finish.
On the opening track, “Stargazing,” Scott crawls over a beautifully spellbinding production that’s both inviting and haunting - an experience that opens listeners to a euphoric and illusionary sound that cascades throughout the record.
Travis Scott showcases his continued dominance in social media and pop culture with the hit record “Sicko Mode” Feat. Drake. Drake’s savvy flow and witty bars, mixed with Scott’s smooth rhyme play, work beautifully over a multi-faceted beat that’s both catchy and inviting.
“Stop Trying To Be God” - By Travis Scott, Featuring Philip Bailey, James Blake, Kid Cudi and Stevie Wonder on harmonica Directed by Dave Meyers (c) 2018 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. With Cactus Jack and Grand Hustle.
The extravagant and charismatically pleasing, “R.I.P. Screw” highlights Scott’s artistry with a potent and gorgeous aesthetic that meshes among groovy hypnotic chords. While Scott’s collaborations with John Mayer and Thundercat on, “Astrothunder,” illustrates the young producer’s depth with genre-trending ingredients that’s euphorically decadent and elegantly refined.
On the passionately spicy, “Wake Up,” Scott teams up with The Weeknd for a soulful R&B track that’s ripe with auto-tune finesse, romantic honesty and steamy finishes. Scott also rolls his pop endeavors on the heavy vocal, “Stop Trying To Be God,” where Scott crawls though an auto-tuned entrenched vibe that’s backed by Kid Cudi's addictive humming and Stevie Wonders signature harmonica
Scott turns up the heat on the trap hits, “Butterfly Effect” and “Houstonfornication,” that enhances his illusionary and bugged-out approach with stellar execution and a complex tailored flow.
“Butterfly Effect” - by Travis Scott. Director: BRTHR Video Producer: Laure Salgon Executive Producer: Sara Greco (C) 2017 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Scott closes out his impressive record with “Coffee Bean” - a critique on his unexpected child and relationship differences with Kylie Jenner. The song displays Scott at the peak of his game with an honest display of lyrical bars; deep cut arrangements and formidable storytelling that allows Scott to bare all humility. A segment that reigns throughout Scott’s archaic funhouse-obsessed concept.
With a neon display of cosmic sounds, strobe-influenced arrangements and absorbingly complex vocals, Travis Scott’s, Astroworld, is a magnificent achievement that’s warm, inspiring and precise. Scott’s skillfully curated sound, both through production and voice, allows this project to be a pleasing aesthetic that bustles with sticky creativity and impressive musical command. As hip-hop continues to raise the bar on expressive, unique and genre-binding music, Travis Scott pushes further. He stands atop as the ringleader of his own visionary and abstract musical carnival – a circus that we’re all paying top dollar for.
Add Astroworld to your summer playlist today.
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