Travis Scott‘s UTOPIA was arguably the most significant release to date. Luckily, Travis knocked it out of the park, resulting in yet another masterpiece from the Houston native. UTOPIA marks a triumphant return after a lengthy 5-year wait since La Flame’s previous album, ASTROWORLD.
Scott once again proves his dominance in the current hip-hop sphere, even as UTOPIA isn’t a typical mainstream pop-rap album. It was tailor-made for a diehard Travis Scott fan. Many of the tracks are sprawling in length, defying the usual “make songs short for short attention spans and streaming numbers” standard. Scott’s fingerprints are all over UTOPIA’s soundscape, earning production credits on almost every song, resulting in a captivating industrial-rock meets psychedelic trap experience, heavily influenced by Kanye West.
Cover Art For Scott’s Latest Release
UTOPIA boasts an impressive lineup of collaborators, featuring some of hip-hop’s finest, such as Drake, Beyonce, SZA, James Blake, 21 Savage, Bon Iver, and more. These artists all complement Scott’s vision and contribute to the album’s monumental Avengers-like status in contemporary hip-hop.
While Travis Scott’s lyricism isn’t groundbreaking, the album’s true allure lies in the atmospheric production that creates an out-of-body experience for listeners. It’s music that makes you feel like you’re floating while also inciting a surge of energy, a flawless blend for both introspection and raging.
My main criticism is that UTOPIA feels derivative of Kanye West’s previous works. UTOPIA’s experimental percussion feels particularly reminiscent of both Yeezus and 808s & Heartbreak. Travis’ “MODERN JAM” and “CIRCUS MAXIMUS” each heavily borrow from Kanye’s style. Despite this, the album remains a smashing success, displaying some of Travis Scott’s best work to date.
Listen to UTOPIA Here
The previously leaked track “LOST FOREVER” shines in this studio version. Travis displays a captivating boom-bap era impression, complete with a stunning Westside Gunn verse. “MY EYES” enchants listeners with a beautiful blend of Frank Ocean-esque vocals, emotional melodies, and a jaw-dropping beat switch.
“MELTDOWN,” featuring Drake, might not rival the chart-topping success of “SICKO MODE.” However, it’s still a highlight as Drake’s menacing vocals steal the show. “I KNOW ?” sees Travis crooning addictively over hypnotic production, making it an irresistibly catchy tune. Additionally, “SKITZO” surprises with its hidden Young Thug feature, multiple beat switches, and pleasant flow patterns.
Despite the album’s minor flaws, Travis Scott’s UTOPIA is undoubtedly a successful release. It presents a sonically cohesive theme, filled with gems and surprises that any hip-hop fan would adore. While it may not be a perfect album, it undeniably marks a significant moment in time in music, and stands as the best album released in 2023 thus far.
