REVIEW: KID CUDI - INSANO

3.5/5

Insano In The Membrane. Insano In The Rage.

If you believe the 'Man On The Moon' could stare at the 'Man In The Mirror', then take a look at this. There's a massive silver statue of Kid Cudi right now making the rounds in Los Angeles. Kind of reminding us of the 'History' Michael Jackson made when his own monolith was pulled around London's River Thames to promote his greatest hits package in the mid 90s. Or, better yet, the massive robot he turned into with piercing eyes in MJ's 'Moonwalker' movie (and you thought a werewolf was thrilling). Following his own Netflix movie ('Entergalactic') and soundtrack, Mr. Rager gives us his latest in 'Insano', delivered by DJ Drama like a Tyler creation. It may sound like Cartmen from 'South Park's' robotic alter-ego, but this awesome album is crazy good...and loaded with features. As we still wait for the ray of Lana like SZA, the first big New Music Friday of 2024 gives us a new album from Cudda, 21 Savage (who has just teased the stranger things of his new biopic 'American Dream' starring Caleb McLaughlin and the 'This Is America' of Donald Glover's Childish Gambino) and The LOX across the pond outfit of D-Block Europe. In ALL-CAPS, this Wicked Awesome record starts the calendar off correct. Don't neglect it like movie studios who drop duds in dry January that otherwise would be box office bombs. This ninth wonder is also the Kid's last album with Republic records, who he's been with since 'The End Of Day'.

Painted in amazing artwork, the visual artist, who's just coming off a TV special award win, is riding around in a 'Porsche Topless' (and not just on his alternative album artwork takes). Getting this party started with that single and the second 'At The Party', bound to keep you moving to the 808 sounds of his heartbroken vocals that feel like their own instrument to this inspired pursuit of happiness. Even after what Drake said, this Kid is still legit. And even without Kanye, Cudi still makes goo...no G.R.E.A.T. music, as others just court controversy. If they weren't enough promotional singles for your Gangster Grillz to get your teeth into, then Cudi also hit the streets in black and red with the menacing 'Most Ain't Dennis', and the mesmerizing letting of 'Ill What I Bleed' as sick as Ne-Yo when he let the one that got away walk. Soon, Scott Mescudi could leave the Kid Cudi alter-ego behind for good, but until then he's giving you "pure superhero music." Assembling more capes for his crusade to marvel at, too. Aside from the Drama ('Often I Have These Dreamz' and more), there's Travis Scott on 'Get Off Me' (getting Savage this week with two guest features). A 'Wow' ASAP Rocky. A 'Too Damn High' Lil Yatchy. XXXTentacion on 'X and Cud'. Young Thug on 'Rager Boyz'. And the great Lil' Wayne delivering a classic on the 'Seven' seal. Not to mention Pharrell Williams himself, 'At The Party' with Travis again. A deluxe edition promises even more guest feature spots, like the anti J. Cole album. 'Keep Bouncin'' like A Tribe Called Quest indeed.

Maraurdering around some real mood music, no Drake diss on Joe Budden, Cudi rides this 'ElectroWaveBaby' in this 'Tale Of A Knight' that is the 'Cud Life', rapping, "Superstar (Yeah), how'd I let you wave? (Wave, wave)/Let it high (High), ain't we on our wave? (On our, on our)/Ask me where, I point the sky, just take me closer, I/Come with me, let's fly, mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm." Instrumental again in his musical musings in making his harmonies hallmark sounds. Ones that will 'Getcha Gone' like when Jermaine Dupri told you he had to 'Gotcha Getcha'. 'Mr. Coola' is so cold and the cool glass of Kool-Aid you need in a January that needs a little "yeah" to the start of your year. 'Freshie' is that fresh for your 'Tortured' souls as Mescudi reminds us, "My demons there to haunt me, keepin' focused, s###, it sucks, man/I don't give two f#####s what they say about me, own me (Yeah)/I'ma stay so focused, do my dirt up on my lonely." The pain is never top far away from the pleasure, but joy still comes in the new morning and year. This 'Funky Wizard Smoke' will tote-ally put a spell on you like Pottermore, forever more. All the way to the greeting of Mr. 'Blue Sky' that takes you high like, "The sky is blue, oh finally, been dreamin' of this for a while (Yeah)/The sun is shining, blinding, swimmin' in this place of mine (Let's go)/Help me out, pass that blunt, my guy/We're all on a quest to climb, and we're on our way (Hmm, hmm-hmm)." The chorus and the reign the new victory like MJ as you 'Hit The Street In My Nikes' to walk off with this mic drop moment. Just in rose gold, this man may have walked on the moon three times to complete the trilogy, but he's not wearing out his soul. The giant step comes next. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Porsche Topless', 'ElectroWaveBaby', 'Hit The Streets In My Nikes'.