ASTROWORLD is the 3rd album from Travis Scott, and it is easily the Texas rapper's best work. Boasting an impressive list of features—Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, Drake, The Weeknd, Swae Lee, Gunna, Nav, 21 Savage, James Blake, Quavo, Takeoff, Juice Wrld, Sheck Wes, Stevie Wonder, and more—Scott plays the role of a curator on the trippy & trappy 17-tracker, and he injects himself to shine at certain moments but also knows when to let the guests take the driver's seat. Scott has done this on Rodeo and Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, but on ASTROWORLD, Scott levels up, and the elements he conducts over, from the psych & indie-influenced beat selections to how and where he decides to deploy features (Stevie playing the harmonica on "STOP TRYING TO BE GOD"!), are brought together in a way that's unmistakably him. And it is this very thing that makes Travis Scott one of the most imaginative and successful names in the game, a tastemaker, who, despite not being a strong, talented lyricist, is able to concoct the perfect vibe that satisfies both the younger, underground audience & mainstream listeners. Check out: "SICKO MODE" (beat switch-ups crazy!), "STARGAZING," "BUTTERFLY EFFECT," "CAROUSEL," and "R.I.P. SCREW."

• double vinyl pressing
• printed inserts
• music label: Epic Records 2018

reviewed by pocari papi 08/18