Review Summary: On Rodeo, Travis Scott transcends trap. In doing so, he creates one of the 2010s best albums.
Trap music has long been maligned by music critics and ‘oldheads’ for its repetitive nature and lack of depth. I can’t blame these critics most of the time - most modern trap is derivative, vapid, and ignorant. Rodeo is a different story.
Now, I’m not asserting that Travis is in anyway a ‘concious’ rapper. From a lyrical standpoint, Rodeo is largely about doing hard drugs, having sex, and hiding from the Feds. I’m also not insinuating that Rodeo isn’t derivative. Travis wears his influences (Kanye, Three 6 Mafia, Kid Cudi, Young Thug) on his sleeve. Yet Travis takes all the elements of modern Southern hip hop - the booming 808s, the opioid references, the autotuned singing, the ridiculous ad libs - and elevates them. The production on Rodeo’s 14 tracks is intricate and nuanced. Many songs cycle through multiple beat switches: “Oh My Dis Side” segues from a nocturnal, slithering trap beat to a gorgeous R&B closer; “Maria I’m Drunk” is almost ambient near the beginning, but soon descends into a disgustingly funky groove.
While I did say that Rodeo’s lyrics are mostly hedonistic and typical to the trap genre, there is some semblance of a storyline to hold everything together. “Pornography” opens with a monologue from Southern rap legend T.I. - almost as if he is passing the torch of hip hop royalty to Travis. T.I. narrates how “the one known as Jacques turned to Scott,” setting the stage for Travis’s journey. Throughout Rodeo, we learn about Travis’s hometown of Houston (Dis Side), how his fame is straining his relationship with his family (second half of 90210), and how he put his Mama’s wishes behind him to “create his own legacy” (the closer Apple Pie). Instead of following some kind of chronological order, this narrative is only loosely woven into the album. Rodeo functions more like a dream sequence. Each track gives the listener a glimpse into the outlandish and psychedelic trip that Travis’s life is.
(I was going to make some grandiose statement about how Rodeo serves as a metaphor for the materialism of my generation or some bull***, but instead I’m just going to talk about how good these songs are. There are so many features, producers, and subtle beat switches on this album that I could write a book going into depth about each part).
“Oh My Dis Side” is probably my favorite Travis Scott song period. The guitar line that carries the first half is the perfect backdrop for Travis and Quavo’s heavily effected voices. The beat goes so hard it’s ridiculous. Like I stated before, it segues into a surprisingly poignant R&B jam. Travis croons about his memories from living back in Houston over an almost gospel inspired instrumental (complete with ghostly vocoder voices). “3500” is simple on paper - a grimy, minor key trap banger with an explosive chorus. Yet despite its simple premise and nearly 8 minute runtime (!) 3500 never gets old. Metro Boomin’s heavy 808s are perfectly complemented by Zaytoven’s sparkling organs and bells. Future offers one of his smoothest verses ever, while 2Chainz delivers the funniest verse on the album. My personal favorite line is “I was born with some nappy hair, drinking breast milk outta lean cup.”
“Wasted” is an awesome track, featuring a sample of Houston legend Pimp C and a great verse from Juicy J. Travis talks about drowning in drugs with his signature slurred delivery. It probably features one of his hardest verses ever. However, the track that follows “Wasted” might be Rodeo’s definitive track. “90210” begins as a futuristic, 808s & Heartbreak influenced... ballad? It’s hard to even characterize it. It’s too robotic to be an R&B track, with its heavy distorted guitars, but too melodic to be ‘hip hop’ in any sense. “90210” would be one of Rodeo’s best tracks if only for the spacey first half, but the second half might be Travis’s best performances ever. Over a stark and beautiful beat, Travis revels in his fame while also contemplating his family relationships.
All over the project, Travis and his team of producers and features experiment. “Antidote” has one of 2015’s most memorable hooks, while the production is so psychedelic and heavy it feels like shoegaze. “Nightcrawler” is an almost comical celebration of hedonism, and makes for one of the best party tracks ever recorded. "Piss On Your Grave” starts out as a Hendrix-esque garage rock jam before Kanye starts screaming about urinating on people’s corpses.
The only dud in the tracklist is probably Flying High. It’s just a little strange and takes away from the overall vibe of the album - it reminds me of some weird Tyler the Creator *** more than Travis. It does have its charms though. Some people don’t seem to enjoy the track “Impossible,” but I think it’s awesome. The synths are warped and dark, and Travis sounds legitimately pained on the chorus.
Rodeo is diverse yet cohesive. Rodeo is experimental yet immensely accessible. Rodeo is party music with sophistication. Rodeo is, in my opinion, one of the best albums of the 2010s. I love this album to death and will probably never stop listening to it. I suggest you give it a try.
Best Tracks: Oh My Dis Side, 90210, Antidote, Maria I’m Drunk
