In the near two years since Travis Scott dropped his platinum-selling sophomore LP Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, there have been countless acts who have attempted to emulate his sound that has engrossed millions.
After a series of delays — and a forgettable collaborative effort — eager fans were finally gifted with the long-awaited Astroworld in the early morning of Friday, August 4.
Named after a defunct Six Flags amusement park in his hometown of Houston, the LP is layered with numerous nods to both his past and future. As an overall product, it’s a brilliant tapestry of subtle elements that position the 26-year-old virtuoso as the closest thing his generation has to Kanye West-level album curation.
From the album’s title, down to its sound and numerous features and brief inclusions, it is very much a tribute to his birthplace. It’s evident on songs like “R.I.P. Screw,” a salute to the slowed down vibes synonymous with the late Houston DJ who defined the sound of the region. It is more regionalized and obscured with inclusions (and interpolations) of names like Big Tuck on the intro of “Carousel” and the infamous Screwed Up Click throughout — such as the late-Big Hawk, whose vocals are sampled in the bridge of the Drake and Swae Lee-assisted “Sicko.”
Then there’s “5% Tint,” a nod to Lil Keke’s “Peepin’ In My Window” — which also is a descendant of Goodie Mob’s fabled “Cell Therapy.”
Aside from repping Texas on a deep level, his new life as a father and dedicated partner is on full display.
On “Stargazing,” for example, he discusses embracing success, allowing him to shed the horrors of his upbringing — and past ways — for a position as a role model, notably leaving lean alone to become a better father, or partner (depending on how you interpret it). “I was always high up on the lean, then this girl came here to save my life … look up to the sky, down on my knees, out of nowhere, you came here to stay the night,” he raps.
The special sauce of Astroworld is the manner Scott has managed to work with the star-studded cast of guests and producers. It could be said that with such a stacked playlist that includes names like The Weeknd, Pharrell, Frank Ocean, Swae Lee, and Drake — among newcomers like Juice WRLD and Sheck Wes — there isn’t a definite standout. This, however, gives the LP a vibe reminiscent of Kids See Ghosts. With it’s least in your face features having immense impact, and the album’s strength being features that accentuate rather than overpower.
An example is “Stop Trying To Be God,” one of the most conceptually powerful moments of the project. Focusing on shaming rapper’s whose egos make them feel — and act — almost god-like, he manages to mesh heavenly hums from James Blake and harmonica from the iconic Stevie Wonder. It’s an epic moment that is humbly downplayed.
Excusing some of the album’s flaws behind the curtain, such as a forgettable 21 Savage verse on “NC-17,” some horrible wordplay from Scott (“fuck with all my chains on, let’s have chain sex”), and even a few songs like “HOUSTONFORNICATION” that get lost in the shuffle, Travis manages to create a substantial body of work that begs to be served as a whole, rather than just bite-sized pieces.
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trash
I would much rather have been coutned among the hundreds of millions of people who perished slowly of the bubonic plague back in the day than ever have to listen to this shit again. -5/5
5/5 HHPX is bugging
Classic
Definitely top 3 albums this year. Not a fan of Travis Scott but psycho dope
what the fuck is psycho dope? dumb ass kids.
Musically this album made my year , he actually surpassed birds. This actually was worth the hype.
this is bullshit, every song sounds the same, why do people like this? EVERYONE SOUNDS THE SAME IN HIP HOP, this shit wouldnt fly even 10 yrs ago. i did grow up in the 90s surprise surprise, there are some artists that are good and their sound is original but its a rare thing nowaday, its sad really.
I have to agree with you bruh. I thought it was just me but all the songs sound the damn same. This is not music. I have to category to place it in so it goes in the trash. I will keep bumping lil keke instead !!!
You over thinkin it. If your diggin the album, thats fine. But rappers been biting styles forever, that is not new. There is hella dope rappers out there. Ur wasting time being a hater. Just listen 2 what you want 2 hear.
muzik,
Bruh, you see to be in your feelings right now. Like you I’m entitled to my opinion and just like you yes, I will listen to what I want to listen to. With that being said, I never said there were not nice rappers out there…I’m talking strictly about this album…You work for the label or what?
total bullshit, put some REAL effort into making your music
i wanted to rate this crap 0 but its not an option
LMAO……This trash album deserves -5 mics
wack af
Could be better. Very derivative.
It’s hard to pick any particular song out of a lineup, they all blend together.
The way he handles features is odd, disappointing.
i’ve had this on repeat since release. Astroworld is Travis Scott at his best and could easily be his career defining album. it boasts such a wide range of production, flawless features, and engaging song concepts. to everyone saying all the songs sound alike have either NEVER listened to a Travis Scott album before or clearly didn’t listen past 20 seconds on a track. this is HIS sound. Every artist today sounds like HIM and not the other way around, and if you actually listen to the music Travis gives us a lot to unwrap. 5/5 easy
every artist out sounds like lil wayne and future. travis scott is just a shitty kanye wannabe that isnt even as good as at making music as dj khaled
Did his label pay for this review ? Album is trash besides the mixing
You sound like you suck mandingo cock and take it in the rectum
Best album of decade. Fireeee
Bro best album of all time
overrated af
Him having the baby and being with Kylie got so much more clout. So everyone hyped the shi out of this but yuh music industry is dead right now.
The Music industry is dead huh? Enlighten us how you arrived to such an off-base conclusion!
He just did
Nobody buying albums, streams and youtube count as sales…..
Yea man, Trav BEEEEEN killing his projects. His current status gave him more hype. I wouldn’t say over hype tho. he deserves the glory
I was never a fan… but I’m from houston and decided gave it a chance because of the title. The album has some really good tracks. It’s good… it would be great if he didnt auto-tune every damn verse. That gets annoying. Along with his adlibs. But it’s a very listenable album.
Co-sign.
Trash
You know you broke right?
Instead of hyping up this garbage, better listen to Karma 2.
I bet you got tims on and yankee fitted, you rat faced new york piece of shit. fuck you annoying loud mouthed motherfucker. travis got album of the year
WTF is this garbage, this ain’t hip hop, this is trash. H-Town should be embarrassed.
Hmm…I feel like you have a gold painted chain and food stamps are a way of life for you. Kill yourself you must
Bit of a let down for me. I feel like most of the songs aren’t bad. But none stand up to his catalogue. When I read he was rapping more I was excited. Specially the first half is lacking.
Most of the album fire. Some songs I really didn’t care for that much. The Joint with Drake was awful.
All the songs sound the same garbage
great album. gotte listen to it more often
“manages to mesh heavenly hums from James Blake and harmonica from the iconic Stevie Wonder.” The heavenly hums are from Kid Cudi.
Love the album, in my rotation heavy !
this album is just ok nothing is good up here and nothing is bad. beats are bland and lyrics are ok as well. to much auto tune not enough features. to much mentioning of his baby moms as well wished he kept it like his last album
Not bad
Travis has done better in the past tho
overrated
4.5/5
Beats are dope
The message was amazing ???
Good Production
This fucker buried hip hop
Greatness.