The highly-anticipated Utopia marks Travis Scott’s fourth studio album and first album in five years — his last was the multi-platinum Astroworld released in 2018. At first listen, it’s clear that the 19-track entry is the Houston rapper’s tour de force. But then again, that is the sentiment every time Scott drops.
Sonically robust experimentation into several subgenres of rap music, ranging from avant-garde to rap metal, catapults Scott’s discography into new terrain. Yet, he manages to maintain the foundational edge most appreciated by his day one listeners. Utopia noticeably contains a first-class bill of features, something the artist intentionally left out of the track listing making for a fun game of guess who.
The Best Songs On ‘Utopia’
One of the best songs on Utopia is “MY EYES,” featuring the glorious singing Sampha and Bon Iver. The four-minute entry has a slow open as Scott and associates croon over the Lo-Fi centric beat using autotune. Midway through, the tempo quickens to a celestial production, providing the perfect opportunity for Scott to lyrically rage, and he definitely masters the challenge.
Mr. West Is Written All Over This
Scott does anything but let up on the hard-hitting, slab-riding “GOD’S COUNTRY” and the equally impressive “MELTDOWN.” Drake’s signature monotone cadence emerges on the latter, proving to be a standout track influenced by the bass heavy sounds of the south intertwined with Kanye-esque tempos, which are immersed throughout many of the songs.
One being “CIRCUS MAXIMUS,” featuring The Weeknd, and another, “LOOOVE,” where the loud, toppled drums are very reminiscent of West’s 2013 album Yeezus. Scott collaborates with Playboi Carti, the understated genius of modern era rap, on the production prioritize incantation “FE!N,” also featuring a hardly recognizable Sheck Wes. Similar to “MY EYES,” and “MELTDOWN,” “FE!N” is another standout banger.
Radio bop “TOPIA TWINS” returns listeners to Scott’s hip hop basics as he joins forces with a consistent 21 Savage and New Orlean’s very own Rob49.
Beyoncé AND BAD BUNNY Bless ‘Utopia’ With Features
The Hit-Boy and umru produced dance track “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” has a surprising feature in fellow Houstonian Beyoncé. Utilization of surround-sound electronic instrumentation and the subtle peppering of bounce has Beyoncé’s Renaissance imprint all over it.
Bad Bunny adds to the multi-genre vibe with “K-POP,” a solid summer track infused with Latin flavor.
Travis Scott’s introspective Tracks
Utopia offers a colorful palette of tracks and while he doesn’t neglect the radio single, club banger, and plenty of songs worthy of replay value status, he takes the time to acknowledge the art of introspection.
The Dave Chappelle assisted “PARASAIL,” a slower paced, euphoric track, has the acclaimed comedian channeling the embattled rapper when he proclaims he “stands tall” and “forgives” himself, while choosing “to feel good.” The feeling continues on “TELEKINESIS,” gravitating on an otherworldly, futuristic theme thanks to Scott’s melodic autotune insertions as he appears to reference God, along with the pleasing contributions of Future and SZA.
21 Savage returns on “TIL FURTHER NOTICE,” the last track on the album. Metro Boomin produces, while Scott is accompanied by James Blake, who offers complementary vocals on the mesmerizing song.
Other features on Utopia include Westside Gunn, KayCyy and Teezo Touchdown, in addition to production by Kanye West, Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Wheezy, WondaGurl, Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Noah Goldstein, Buddy Ross, and Jahaan Sweet, just to name a few.
‘Utopia’ Ranks Among The Greats?
As a collective, Utopia disrupts the status quo and invites Scott to the “G.O.A.T. of this era” conversation just four studio albums in. While the H-Town music maverick has to contend with the proven holy trinity of hip hop’s most consistent hitmakers, such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Drake, Scott is at heaven’s gate with Utopia.
The MouthSoap’s Betty Bema gives Utopia 8/10. Listen to the entire album on major music streamers or below:
