Returning with rhymes inspired by drug use, Kid Cudi has done it again. With the release of his second studio album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, he delivers each song with a poetic flow.
The first promotional single “REVOFEV”, which is short for Revolution of Evolution, leaked in June, and contains a guitar sample from Duran Duran. The lyrics speak about taking heavy things off of one’s mind as there’s “no need to stress, keeps you down too much.” This lyrically speaks of a “revolution” in one’s life.
The album’s lead single “Erase Me”, which features Kanye West, premiered in August and is the breakup tale of guy misses girl but girl wants to “erase” him from her life. Like REVOFEV, this song contains a bass-heavy beat blended with a nice guitar. Cudi demonstrates his singing abilities, and Kanye ends it with a killer rap verse.
With darkness being a major theme, “The Mood” begins with creepy laughter, and lyrically describes being “lost in the mood.” It’s one of the more laid back, sensual songs on the album. “Wylin’ Cause I’m Young” is also somewhat frightening at the end, where there appears to be some sort of subliminal message.
Man on the Moon II features more guest artists than the previous album, and tracks such as “The End” feature Kid Cudi protégé Chip tha Ripper, GLC, and Nicole Wray. This song demonstrates a chorus sung by Wray, and rapping from the other three. “These Worries” which features Mary J. Blige, is about having worries, stress and troubles “rest on [one’s] shoulders.”
One of the highlights of the album is “Marijuana”, an ode to the green herb, containing lyrics such as “pretty green bud, all in my blood.” It contains a nice, slow piano accompaniment, and coincidentally clocks in at 4 minutes and 20 seconds.
The iTunes promotional single, “Mr. Rager” was available with pre-order of the album, and describes a journey fueled by drug use, with lyrics such “I’m off an adventure, I’m on my way to heaven.”
“MANIAC” is another great song, with themes of insanity, and moods caused by drug use, and songs such as “All Along” and “GHOST!” create moods of solitude and loneliness similar to those created in Cudi’s early work such as “Day ‘N Night”.
Overall, the album is great, and although darker than its precedent, Man on the Moon II is easily one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.
Download Recommendations: “MANIAC”, “Marijuana” “The Mood”, “Mr. Rager”, “Scott Mescudi vs. The World” “The End”, “These Worries”
