UTOPIA (Album Review)
Almost 5 years to the day. It had been almost half a decade since the release of Travis Scott’s phenomenal (in every sense of the word) album, ASTROWORLD. The world is far different than it was in 2018, and on July 28th, Travis returned and revealed to us, a new world and soundscape. All the rage, booming production, and a feature list like an Avengers movie present, culminating into this grand-epic body of work; we are presented with the 4th album in the discography of one of the biggest artists in not just hip-hop, but all of music: UTOPIA.
It was almost a sense of déjà vu as the clock approached 12 a.m. The conspiracy theory lists potential features, lyrically and production-wise. It would be close to impossible to remove all expectations when it came time to hit play. With classic tracks like SICKO MODE and YOSEMITE in Travis’ catalog, anybody and everybody could appear. Would 21 Savage appear as he has on what seems like every other song released this past year? Would an uncredited Drake return and attempt to steal the show? Will we get the addicting melodies and eerie and aggressive 808s that feel like they scratch that musical itch in your ear? All-in-all… Yes, absolutely.
No Travis album should receive full dissection until some time has passed. With 5 years of crafting going into this project, it would be a disservice to all the minute details Travis has put in all this time. Every sound, note, voice inflection, and sample has a point and nothing seems to be inserted by happenstance. There is so much about UTOPIA I still find myself catching on to and focusing. Another break or beat switch that makes me realize how far removed I am from crafting something on a sonic level. It’s like a delayed edible. You're waiting for the kick, and just when you start to have doubts, maybe even make a comment, it hits you in full force, and everything has changed.
The first track, HYAENA, is an excellent way to start this album, both conceptually and musically. From the vocal sampling over dead air, and the abrasive switch to a spacey and heavy-hitting instrumental; it’s a blueprint for what to expect all over this 19-track project. From there we travel down this concept world of UTOPIA delivered to us through music. The album is laden with concepts and imagery of ultimate highs and braggadociousness mixed with extravagant wealth.
Travis said it himself, he is trying to describe these experiences where the idea of Utopia can exist. The sounds on the album could make one-second guess this. Some people’s idea of utopia is more serene and peaceful. But utopia is not some general concept and idea that is predetermined and agreed upon; it's whatever you think it is. The idea of a utopia is different from person to person. Travis is allowing us to escape to Utopia as he sees it. It is up to you as a listener if you decide you want to stay.
The features on the track were hidden for the first week, which if you can, I always avoid the track list. This is a perfect example of why. Every feature played their part perfectly. From the second I heard that Drake skit, I knew what would follow. Easily one of Drake’s best flows in years, and one of his most aggressive verses ever; riddled with just tough bars directed towards Pusha T, Ye, and Pharrell. I ran the WESTSIDE GUNN track LOST FOREVER 3 times after I heard that verse. Future and SZA on TELEKINESIS help capture this spacey and ethereal atmosphere that will be on many late-night driving playlists from here on. The features are a perfect timestamp of where the genre of Hip-Hop is as a whole in 2023.
No question the production credits on the album are just as heavy hitting as the lyrical features. Mike Dean, Ye, Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Buddy Ross, Boi-1da, and BNYX. The best musical artists from varying genres come together to help piece this project together. Even the beat on my least favorite song (LOOVE) is far from mediocre.
Travis is very much a Ye protege in many ways. There are plenty of posts and opinions online about how much he has influenced this project. CIRCUS MAXIMUS samples the drums from YEEZUS’ BLACK SKINHEAD and even has Travis using the same flow. Songs GOD’S COUNTRY, THANK GOD & the aforementioned TELEKINESIS were originally planned to be on Ye’s scrapped God’s Country (which would instead become DONDA). I also see it as Travis tapping into the YEEZUS era with the overall sound, a time when he was at one of his best.
Houston’s own talked about losing the Grammy for Rap Album of the Year lit a fire inside him. Wanting to come back with something that isn’t just the same old album and potentially come back to that Grammy stage. With this album, he may have just done that.
UTOPIA is a perfect window into the mind of Travis Scott. His idea of UTOPIA is one of extravagance, intensity, and ethereal sounds that would most likely make you feel higher regardless of if you're sober. This album is not to be taken lightly to be played in the background. It draws you in and tries (usually succeeding) to lock its claws into you. Travis is one of a kind and he shows you with the quality of music you get out of this album. So good that you could even call it a classic right from “The Situation.”
Rating 1,00000 out of whatever you want it to be.
Favorite Tracks:
TELEKINESIS
LOST FOREVER
MELTDOWN
MY EYES
PARASAIL