“Utopia,” Travis Scott’s newest and highly anticipated album, was released on July 28, 2023. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and has achieved widespread media coverage and appreciation among rap fans.
Ever since Scott performed at the Astroworld Festival in 2021, where 10 of his fans tragically suffocated to death, his reputation in the music industry has been heavily scrutinized. However, after hiding in the shadows for months, Scott finally hinted at his next album in early 2022. Ever since, his loyal fanbase waited patiently for its promising release. With the album hitting number one on Billboard’s chart for four consecutive weeks, along with 650 million global streams within the first week, most listeners can agree that Scott did not disappoint.
Some of the album’s success can be attributed to Scott’s famed features, including Playboi Carti, Beyonce, Drake, the Weeknd and Sza. “Telekinesis” featuring Sza and Future is a great example of Scott’s creative use of features. Sza’s soulful vocals complement Scott’s solemn verses, offering an immersive experience even to those who stray away from the hip-hop genre. Other notable features include “Fein” with Playboi Carti and “Meltdown” with Drake. “Parasail” with Yung Lean and Dave Chapelle stands out as an underrated piece that diverges from Scott’s previous musical styles and spotlights his growing maturity as an artist.
Production-wise, “Utopia” surpasses all of Scott’s previous albums. Metro Boomin, Kanye West, the Alchemist and Scott himself produced trap, psychedelic rock and electronica into well-crafted beats that pushed the boundaries of Scott’s past sounds. The diversity and poise in “Utopia” well surpasses “Astroworld” and “Rodeo.” However, “Utopia’s” songs maintain Scott’s signature volume intensity, and even his melodic tracks are layered with forceful bass, which might deter some listeners.
One lacking aspect of this album is Scott’s lyricism. The lack of profundity in Scott’s writing has been critiqued in the past, and unfortunately, Utopia did not quite deliver the complex lyricism that fans dreamed of. Scott’s vocal cadences and flow are worthy of praise, but the emptiness of his lyrics contrasts the beautiful melodies accompanying his voice.
It is safe to say that Scott put his entire soul into this ambitious project and its attention is well deserved. Fans like myself appreciate Scott’s success and evolution as a musician, while also hoping that his lyrical sophistication can someday match his production value and artistic visions.
