Kanye’s last album, The Life of Pablo, was a critically acclaimed masterpiece that topped the charts for two years. Finally, he presents the self-titled “Kids See Ghosts” album. This was his first album and is kept in the hyperbolic, time-strap he calls the “Wyoming Project”. Kanye’s album “ye” has seven tracks. They span DAYTONA, NASIR, and DAYTONA.
The album has the chemistry of two friends who have never been apart and no longer second-guess each others’ motives. This album is about breaking down, social cut and fragmentation. It is a record about brokenness, fragmentation of thought, and societal cut. It is especially inspiring to see Cudi sound so far removed from his troubled past, which was revealed in his 2016 confessional Facebook post. This highlighted his ongoing struggles with depression and anxiety as well as suicidal thoughts.
The album’s standout moment was beyond the album’s midpoint with “Cudi Montage”. Cudi calls for God to shine his light on him using a call/response echoes. Backing vocals give the answer “stay strong” This song highlights the need to be free from the violence that is endemic in America’s current world. It is a call-and-response echo. Kanye’s Illinois hometown, Kanye, has turned crime into a way to survive. As Kanye sings, “All Growin’ Up in Environment, Where Doin’ Crime the Requirement, They Send Us to Prison for Retirement.”
Although many people may complain about the lack in tracks on this album’s album, I find the seven tracks to be far more rich than Drake’s recent “Scorpion” album. This album is full of filler tracks and is not as polished and refined as Drake’s earlier albums. This album is a beautiful collaboration between two talented musicians. It’s equal parts raw, honest, and touching. I find myself singing along to it every day on my commute to school.
