`Since being discovered, the Houston emcee/producer Travi$ Scott has been a purveyor of the trap hop sound that combines elements of gangsta rap lyrical pacing with experimental production and of course that Houston chopped and screwed influence gravy.
On his first album, the 23-year-old knows where his bread is buttered, and keeps that sound close by whilst going further off the map than he has in the past. Be it increased confidence, clout or just spending more time with generation defining musicians, he has found a way to stay true to his sound while all along exploring newfound sonic and musical territory.
For this initial “for sale” project, the expectations were as high as they can be. Co-signs from T.I. and Kanye West have that ability to function as a gift and a curse. Pair guest appearances from Justin Bieber, The Weeknd and Toro y Moi and a pushed back the release date, the anticipation merged with a feeling of “What will this sound like” reached fever pitch.
Early tracks like “Pornography,” “Oh My Dis Side” and one of two lead singles “3500” are true to the sound that has been expected from the spitter born Jacques Webster. However, Scott leaves the confines previously occupied pairing interesting changes in pace with unique sonics under the whim of his drawl.
The strong points of his independent sound are still there, autotuned psychedelia and Texas lean. The stakes are higher and this is evident earlier with top-notch production that keeps the listener on their toes when the primary track switches from a dense booming beat to pianos with layered synths. The first to discover Webster, T.I., uttering in spoken word tone “The story of the bastard was never told/ The soul of the bastard was never sold/ Can he survive? Or could he fall in love?/ Living like a bronco, lifestyle wild and untamed” only adds to the mood. Pairing an homage to his rodeo theme that has now spanned a mixtape and an album with an homage intro from an acclaimed emcee, we are prepped for the most profound effort by a young hip-hop artist with lots of potential and a lot to lose.
The album’s early offerings from the autotuned “Pornography,” the incredible utility of The Weeknd on “Pray 4 Love” to the thumping rock n roll battle hymns of “Piss on Your Grave” featuring West keeps the listener engaged to the sonics that have brought Travi$ this far whilst maintaining a varied sound that gives each track individuality.
Rodeo‘s back end after “Antidote” begins to mesh together and gets repetitive. Of course, this is a familiar symptom of debut albums and of the trap style sound Scott is purveying. Nonetheless, the originality of Scott’s sound within this new movement provides for a strong rookie effort leaving the listener excited for a career that is just getting started.
I’m sorry but I still can’t see the hype with this guy. Average at best. Next.
The teenagers are all over this guy. I finally listened to see what the hype was about. He’s ok at best. Lyrics are weak. Flow is average. Typical trendy rap you see today with generic digital beats, auto tune, and radio hooks. I guess it’s alright for the strip clubs and parties. But I don’t think this will get another spin from me.
It’s to difficult to listen to music which brain washes fans into listening to music without intent to enjoy it. A lot fans listen to music listen for a quick fix,instead of getting the whole high. It’s like their listening to it to judge it which brings them to the message board to comment. We get the review in less than 24hrs of release. That’s not fair to the artist. Casual fans will not support just based off reviews from websites. Music is put in the microwave instead of being cooked slowly in the oven. Most music that’s enjoyable comes from artists you actual are a genuine fan of his/her music. Now fans break down the track listing, judge album off features, artist affiliation, personal image, who did the production. About times it’s released its already been judged as wack, and mediocre. The internet hype keep the listener from listening to the music with a open mind. Now the Internet hypes things up, and the expectations are just to high. Dre made a dope album but some people was expecting something that was never even possible. Plus it was inspired by the movie which is really a soundtrack. I listen to all music with a open ear and clear mind. I never waste to commetjng on artist I don’t like. I don’t have time to waste on people I don’t know. If they didn’t make music I wouldn’t know them. I only listen to the music.
Jharp just posted one of the best comments I read in a while.
This guy is straight up garbage honestly. everytime i hear this guy it feels like my brain cells are popping like popcorn.
Really good album, it’ll be in rotation for a while.
Soft and wack and boring… Next
weak
maybe it will grow on me but for the first two times i feel it a bit long and sometimes boring. a little disappointment, however i still love his style. i appreciate the album has an own sound.
get some balls and rate something thats not 3.5
wack
I think this nigga is more of a really good content curator than a actual talented artist… The production is absolutely eclectic and never bores … But! That’s not enough to carry an album man. And my beef with this particular album is that it (Days Before Rodeo, Rodeo) hints at some underlying story or theme but is never actually realised as this nigga already said in the review.
he said that shit in a couple interviews man.. shits about him climbing to greater heights in the rap game an realizing that the games just a rodeo.. you gotta hold on to whatever keeps you goin cause when you fall off you may never get back up in this shit , meaning some otha nigga gone come take your spot being as the game is saturated as fuck with trap house dudes jus like him.
High Class Ignorance
#LaFlame lives on
Imma travis scott fan but this was the lamest better luck nxt time Jaques
Not sure why everyone is hatin on this guy. his music sounds pretty fuckin awesome to me.
4/5
It definitely grows onto you, new and unique sound that you need to get used to
I think you are all focusing on his past work instead of looking at his way of storytelling through song and also how he has taken a spin on things.
Production is perfect, features are perfect, Travis Scott tells great stroies, overall an amazing album
Every single track slaps. It is the best album the man has put out. one of the best I have ever heard.
5/5 This album is like a drug it’s good its addictive and it could fuck you up.