I always forget how much I love Cudi until I'm listening to him and then I can't stop for like a month something about his music is so rewarding and fulfilling and honest-sounding and I can't ever put my finger on why
I liked this, the middle section starting at damaged was probably my favorite part, but it was solid throughout
I was literally waiting for this album for ten years, so obviously I had astronomical expectations for this. Here are my scattered thoughts because I don't feel like organizing this lol - It's really not what I pictured MOTMIII to sound like for all these years, it's by far the most he's ever rapped on a project (it's also the best pure rapping I've ever heard from him, he said that he set out to prove that he's underrated as an MC and I think he accomplished that). The first half of this is unlike anything he's ever done, it sounds like he's taking a lot of influence from Travis Scott instead of the other way around. It really works though, I think he did a really great job at taking his classic sound and updating it for 2020 - The second half is where it starts sounding like I was imagining though. The Void is already an absolute Cudi classic, it gives me that same feeling that Pursuit of Happiness or Mr. Rager give me, I absolutely LOVE that song. Elsie's Baby Boy, Lovin' Me and 4 da Kidz are also great songs more reminiscent of his old sound - The more I listen, the more it feels like a great conclusion to the trilogy. On the first album he's newly famous and still an optimistic and chill stoner with some darkness creeping in, the second album is when the darkness really comes in and he really delves into his addiction and mental health issues, and now ten years later it concludes with mostly happy and hopeful lyrics and a pretty upbeat sound. Really happy with this, it's already rapidly climbing my AOTY list. I don't think it's as good as the first two but to be fair those are two of my favorite albums of all time so I wasn't really expecting to. Definitely in his top 5 projects at least I would say. Off my first few impressions my favorite songs are Tequila Shots, Another Day, She Knows This, Damaged, Heaven on Earth, Solo Dolo III, Elsie's Baby Boy, The Void, Lovin' Me, and 4 da Kidz. That's like half the album lol
just realised Finneas, as in Billie Eilish's Finneas has production credits on this album. really cool
I have to give this a couple more listens. But on my first runthrough I wasn't impressed with anything in the first half. Album really picks up from The Void on, though.
I'm always interested in the "Acts" breakdown of these albums, gonna listen to each act by itself over the next week Act I: Return 2 Madness 1. "Beautiful Trip" 2. "Tequila Shots" 3. "Another Day" 4. "She Knows This" 5. "Dive" Act II: The Rager, The Menace 6. "Damaged" 7. "Heaven on Earth" 8. "Show Out" (with Skepta and Pop Smoke) 9. "Mr. Solo Dolo III" Act III: Heart of Rose Gold 10. "Sad People" 11. "Elsie's Baby Boy (Flashback)" 12. "Sept. 16" 13. "The Void" 14. "Lovin' Me" (featuring Phoebe Bridgers) Act IV: Powers 15. "The Pale Moonlight" 16. "Rockstar Knights" (with Trippie Redd) 17. "4 Da Kidz" 18. "Lord I Know"
The production on here is crazy good (beat wise), not sure if I feel the same about the mixing...however the songs themselves are pretty great so far and I fw quite a few of them, not being ultra familar with his previous work aside from singles/KSG, this is enjoyable for me. Copped a long sleeve too because its a collab and loved the colors
Ima have my fun with this one then go back to the beginning for sure, vibing heavy to this today... “Tequila Shots” and “The Void” both hitting first... also going through some mental struggles so hearing him sound like he’s doing well makes me happy/hopeful and reminded me of another reason I hate drake for that shitty comment when cudi was in rehab
Insane seeing these videos seemingly have such high budgets So cool when he had the Mr. Rager suit on at the end
After his inconsistency over the past few releases I went into this not sure if I was going to love it or just move past it. I've given it a few listen and I think this is about all I could've asked for from Cudi. He's not stretching himself too far out of his comfort zone, still managing to push his familiar sound forward but with a bit of inspiration from his contemporaries. Nothing mind blowing but super solid all the way through, it provides a great album experience that grew on me over the first few listens but after that I think I've gotten what I needed from it. Happy to be able to recommend this to my brother who I introduced to the first MOTM project over 10 years ago. I just wanted another consistent Kid Cudi album and I'm satisfied with The Chosen. I don't usually rate albums but this one feels like a 7.5/10 maybe an 8 on the right day. I'll revisit it at least a couple more times this year but I doubt I'll change my mind much further. Maybe once I watch the melonhead review I'll hate it who knows ;)
Melon actually gave it a Strong 7 and seems to really like it as well (before the comments come in - yes his opinions can suck)
Well that's good news, I can stand firmly with my opinion but I am still curious what he's got to say about it. I don't read his comments unless I'm looking for a laugh.
dig the Phoebe song but I'm pretty sure I actively dislike every other kid cudi song I've heard prior to this album. worth a listen?
Nah, if you don't like or have an attachment to the first couple of albums, this isn't something I would foresee changing your mind
this isn't much of a departure for his style, stick with the Phoebe song ha. You might dig this though, not really like the Phoebe song but one of my favs
Oh wow I just posted about this song earlier on the Haim thread. What a great tune until now haha. Not sure if you guys would be interested in a Selena Gomez song, but Kid Cudi did a good job being featured in one her songs. It's called "A Sweeter Place."