INSANO

For a time, Kid Cudi was bracing for the worst. Back in 2022, the renowned artist—whose discography touches everything from hip-hop and R&B to alt-rock and beyond—made some statements suggesting a retirement from music. The award-winning animated feature <i>Entergalactic</i> and its corresponding soundtrack didn’t quite seem like the last we’d hear from The Chosen One, yet its success indicated that his creative pursuits were ever-expanding. While there’s no definitive statement indicating that this, his ninth album, would close out his catalogue, its scope and sound certainly make it feel like the end of an era for one of the most compelling musical artists of our time. On the cusp of his 40th birthday—some 16 years after breakout single “Day ’n’ Nite” first dropped—<i>INSANO</i> proves that nothing about Cudi has diminished with age. Spanning just over an hour, the 21-track effort kicks off with a characteristically boisterous DJ Drama introduction, “OFTEN, I HAVE THESE DREAMZ”, that transitions into the gnarly, distorted maximalism of “KEEP BOUNCIN’”. His distinct vocal range and rubbery cadences add buoyancy to “GETCHA GONE” and the pugnacious “A TALE OF A KNIGHT”. On tracks like “PORSCHE TOPLESS” and the Ace of Base-interpolating “ELECTROWAVEBABY”, it’s hard not to hear how much fun he’s having. Beyond Drama’s repeat drop-ins, the short yet significant guest list here reflects Cudi’s tenure as much as his influences. A$AP Rocky, who featured opposite him over a decade ago on <i>Indicud</i>, reunites with his “Brothers” cohort for the larger than life “WOW”. Frequent collaborator Travis Scott remains his finest foil, evident on their shared “GET OFF ME”. Elsewhere, Lil Wayne lends his veteran voice and punchline prowess to “SEVEN”, while Pharrell Williams takes the mic to start the booming “AT THE PARTY”. A younger generation gets a few nods as well, with Lil Yachty’s playful “TOO DAMN HIGH” verse and a posthumous appearance from XXXTENTACION on the “X & CUD”.