Review: "Man On The Moon III: The Chosen" Album by Kid Cudi
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Kid Cudi is back. Since “Day ’n’ Nite”, his releases have been catchy and solid but nothing special compared to his initial debut. But that all changes with the release of he hasn’t made such a unique footprint until his 2020 work, “Man On The Moon III: The Chosen”. Cudi conjured up a cosmic album with this work, which some critics were harsh on, but the sound and message is exactly what we need after this mess of a year.
It proved something we’ve known forever: Cudi has been the face of angsty rap for a minute now, and he’s kind of turned it into a genre of its own .At the same time, that emotional vulnerability in his tracks allows him to push past the rapper bravado and air his mental health struggles, which is something that we need more in hip hop. Especially post-pandemic, when a lot of people are dealing with anxiety, depression, and more.
Still, “Tequila Shots” manages to remain upbeat while Cudi airs his grievances, and is one of our favorite track on the album. From the classic Cudi beat and genre-melding flow, this track might sound like a mellow ride, but it talks about the inner battle of Cudi’s brain, which “cant stop this war in me.” He explores his faith and the gloomy themes that run through his music: “Back just where I started, it's the same old damaged song.” And while his demons haunt him at night, he finds refuge in creativity, indirectly encouraging us (night owls or not) to do the same: “Back up on my late night session remedy/ Something ‘bout the night that keep me safe and warm” but follows it up with the reality of depression and how it can unexpectedly rear its ugly head: “Lotta shit is weighin' on me, it's a storm/N ever thought I would be back here bleeding.”
The beat in “She Knows This” and “Dive” tap more into Cudi’s trap side, lightening things up with a faster tempo and a stronger bass-line. We see Cudi on a drill beat for the first time wit Skepta and the late Pop Smoke on “Show Out,” and if the clubs were open, it’s safe to say that DJs would be playing this track non-stop. “Heaven On Earth” also shows off an angrier, sped-up side that we’re not as used to, but he uses lo-fi fuzziness and guitar to make it a signature Kid Cudi original.
Then, all these flashy, racing tracks are follows up by the melancholic “Solo Dolo Pt. III”, which croons: “Yeah, I take it, they don't know 'bout it/Yeah, I take it, I don't need nobody/Deep in Hell in dark corners /Deep in my dreams perceived”. In the verses, he opens up about suicidal tendencies "Say, "I'm waitin' to die," I cry/Many nights I spent gettin' fucked up, livin' a lie" and explores the stages of self-blame, self destructiveness, and the toxic secrets that mental health struggles can cause. “Sad People” is another emo rap track for stoners that’s perfect for when you’re feeling down in the dumps. Still, the chorus lifts up depressing verses with an aspirational chorus: “N***a been in hell, the same ol’/On a mission and I'm gonna fly high (High)/This for the sad people who keep the blunt burning and we/Off on a journey, you learn me.”
For the critics who find Cudi’s new album underwhelming, they simply can’t understand the power of music for mental health. He shares his darkness with us, and lifts up us when we need it most. We’ll admit it - Cudi opening up about addiction and mental health at such a relevant moment in time doesn’t automatically make the album amazing. But the fact that this enjoyable work is also relatable and far from perfect connects this star to us normals, and we think that counts for something.
Cudi’s music has represented transformative moments in a lot of lives, and this album isn’t an exception to that sentiment. If you’re currently going through a low, put “Man On The Moon III” in your headphones as a reminder that you’re not alone in that feeling.