ASTROWORLD :: Travis Scott Album Review

Everyone has been patiently waiting for ASTROWORLD to drop, and finally it did. Travis Scott released the highly anticipated album, ASTROWORLD on the 3rd August 2018 and the reaction is massive, the album was predicted to be huge and fans seem highly satisfied. Featuring other artists such as Drake, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and Tame Impala, this could arguably be La Flames best album yet.

Prior to the album releasing, the Houston rapper was the subject of a storm over to the albums art design for the cover. The image originally featured famous trans model, Amanda Lepore, however, when Travis Scott shared the final image on Instagram, the model had been cut out. The outcry against La Flame was building online, while users were labelling Scott as "transphobic trash" and "disgusting". Scott's reps later revealed that the rapper wasn’t aware of the model being cut from the image. He reportedly wasn’t even aware of the original photo, but Travis Scott is yet to comment.

The album was based around Houston’s most hallowed theme park, Six Flags AstroWorld that closed their doors to the public in 2005. Last year, he described its influence on the new album:

“The next record is called Astroworld. It might be the best music that I made… They tore down AstroWorld to build more apartment space. That’s what it’s going to sound like, like taking an amusement park away from kids. We want it back.”

La Flame reached a whole new level with AstroWorld, not actually having a breakthrough album prior to this, can this be it? AstroWorld is a completely different ball park from previous albums and we're all here for it. The album contains 17 tracks, each one featuring different artists;

1. STARGAZING

The opening track STARGAZING is welcoming listening to the album the is ASTROWORLD. It's a insight of what the rest of the album will sound like and lets listeners know that they're in for a ride. Literally.

2. CAROUSEL ft Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean is featured on this track, and it's a no brainer that Ocean's voice is one the best out there in relation to contemporary R&B. While Frank's sings its almost heavenly and soothing in contrast to Scott. Again, the instrumental of the song doesn't really match Frank Ocean's aesthetic, I feel like he should have definitely contributed to a more soother track.

3. SICKO MODE ft Drake

Drake is drake, no one can replace Drake. However in this song it sounds like Drake has taken over the song and Scott doesnt really appear. The song is consistent all the way through, with Drake singing for long periods of time, it sounds like it could have potential but personally it just doesn't do it for me.

4. R.I.P. SCREW

RIP SCREW sounds like Travis has put thought into the song with feelings and not just how it sounds to the ears, when listening it sounds like he is taking us along the journey with him to space and he has thought it out verse by verse on how he can show it to us viewers.

5. STOP TRYING TO BE GOD

This track featuring Kid Cudi and James Blake, however La Flame isn't present in this song much. It's a great song, pursuing the whole theme of 'stop trying to be god' and stop trying to control things in life and Travis is there for that. However, this song possibly should of been given to Kid Cudi and James Blake as an interlude due to there vocal power in the song.

6. NO BYSTANDERS ft JuiceWRLD

The beat in this track is everything, it almost continues from STOP TRYING TO BE GOD in the aspect of when he stops trying to control things, he is there to "fuck the club up" and party. It definitely is more uplifting than the last track.

7. SKELETONS ft Tame Impala, The Weeknd & Pharrell

Personally, one of the best songs on the album, featuring so many amazing producers and artists. The Weeknd's vocals really pull through on this song, while Kevin Parker (Front man of Tame Impala) makes his precent apparent with the almost psychedelic yet subtle beat.

8. WAKE UP ft The Weeknd

Again, The Weeknd is featured in WAKE UP. La Flame and The Weeknd really compliment each other vocally in this track, the transitions from voice to voice are amazing and almost 'smooth'. The backing track is also great and has a great temp throughout the whole song. 'WAKE UP' could also be a reference to Scott waking up from him 'lucid dreaming' as mentioned in the song; 'Controlling how you moving, lucid dreaming'. This song could possibly be about the turn around in Travis' life with releasing ASTROWORLD.

9. 5% TINT

This song really represents the whole aspect of ASTROWORLD, As La Flame mentioned in the previous quote "like taking an amusement park away from kids". The songs has a 'outer space' vibe to it, almost transitioning as each song goes on, which also links to transitioning with the vocals and moving on with a psychedelic feel.

10. NC - 17 ft 21 Savage

NC - 17 is one of the shorter songs in the album, with only lasting 2:36 minutes. The backing track to the song really shows through with a 'creepy vibe', especially in the chorus of the song, almost sounding like a song that should be played in a haunted house. Scott's echoing melody to 21 Savages words really leaves an impact to the ears too.

11. ASTROTHUNDER

Another favourite of mine, again giving a very trippy, waves feel. It almost feels like when listening you could wonder off to space, literally. The beat and the tempo of the song really are ascetically pleasing, in regards to the album. Also sounding like ASTROTHUNDER could be a ride at ASTROWOLD.

12. YOSEMITE ft Nav

YOSEMITE is more of a subtle tune in the album, being another shorter songs in the album. Travis really doesnt appear much is this song, which again is disappointing as we're almost here for him. Although it's a good song, in terms of the beat and Travis' staple sounds that appear in most of his songs, it could be better.

13. CAN'T SAY ft Don Toliver

CAN'T SAY features Don Toliver, who's voice is definitely very clear and apparent during the song. Although the voice is vibrant, La Flame's verses also make a breakthrough and the two together aren't a bad mix. However, although a good song, I'm still on the fence with it with Toilers voice.

14. WHO? WHAT! ft Migos

WHO? WHAT! is definitely the best way Scott could of built up for BUTTERFLY AFFECT. It is a repetitive song, like BUTTERFLY AFFECT, with the chorus, temp and beat. However it's still a good song, though wouldn't be my first choice as I feel it's VERY similar to BUTTERFLY affect.

15. BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Everyone knows BUTTERFLY AFFECT now, as it is no doubt a good song , I'm still curious to why Travis Scott put it on the album as he dropped it back in 2017. Still a great song though.

16. HOUSTONFORNlCATION

HOUSTONFORNICATION sounds like Travis is connecting on personal level to listeners with lyrics, I connected much more with the beat and music for most songs on the album with the lyrics coming in as I listen to something more. However with this song the lyrics sound like Travis is 'venting' in a sense; 'I might need me some ventilation, a little vacation', possibly letting us know that Houston isn't the place for him at the moment, with the name of the song.

17. COFFEE BEAN

It is apparent in COFFEE BEAN that La Flame is rapping about his current relationship with partner, Kylie Jenner. It's also showing through Scott's perspective on what the public could see his and Jenner's relationship as. It's almost as because he is a rapper and black, he is feeling insecure about what people would think about him, especially Jenner's family; "Your family told you I'm a bad move / Plus I'm already a black dude" 

Here's another reference to the Kardashian-Jenner family. Scott is insinuating that Kylie's family warned her against him because of his race.