Released: 2023

Genres: Trap, Southern Hip-Hop, Experimental Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop Rap

The Musiquarium’s UTOPIA Review Score: 8.5 out of 10

In 2021, ten people were killed and hundreds of others were injured in a crowd rush at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival. Debate followed as to whether Travis Scott or Live Nation were responsible, but some thought that both parties were culpable. Travis Scott was never indicted with any criminal charges and much of this album seems to ignore the tragedy that preceded it, but that does not prevent this from being one of his best projects yet.

HYAENA begins the album with a twisting acapella, followed by good beats, sleigh-bells and a Funkadelic sample. MODERN JAM brings to mind Clipse’s Grindin’ or Portishead’s Machine Gun — a song with a simple, but addictive beat that you can’t help but keep re-listening to. GOD’S COUNTRY originally started life as a Kanye West song intended for his 2021 album Donda, though it does fit better here. Speaking of Kanye, the drums in CIRCUS MAXIMUS are reminiscent of Black Skinhead and are just as thrilling (and with a Weeknd feature too).

For other features, you have Kid Cudi on LOOOVE, Beyoncé on DELRESTO (ECHOES), Playboi Carti on FE!N, and JAMES BLAKE on TIL FURTHER NOTICE. The only weak spot is K-POP, but otherwise, you’ve got an album full of other gems.

UTOPIA sees Travis Scott with his third great record, inching closer to the type of artist he’s always aspired to be. Some may criticize the album for sounding somewhat derivative of the works of Kanye and it may not do much of anything to address the Astroworld incident, but overall, it’s a strong project with typically killer production and lots of interesting ideas.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Travis Scott on Discogs.

Back to the 2023 Album Guide or the Travis Scott Reviews pages.

Written by Brett Nippard