Observations From Kanye West & Kid Cudi's KIDS SEE GHOSTS

First off, I want to start by saying that I am not here to support Kanye West in any way shape or form outside of music. I am only here for the musical aspect of things, so far it has been Pusha's album, and now, because I find Kid Cudi to be one of the most influential and inspiring artists of the last decade, I have a contract in my brain that says I will absolutely and unequivocally support anything Kid Cudi puts out musically after Man On The Moon I and II. Kanye, if you somehow, find some "by the ways of God, premonition-like" way to read this, seek help. For you and your loved ones. You may think it helps you, but at some point, you will no longer be able to control it.

Anyways, the relationship has been well documented between these 2 G.O.O.D Music artists for about 10 years now, seeing as Cudi was a key inspirational crafting point in the making of Kanye's 2008 4th solo album 808's & Heartbreaks (the album some may some say is Kanye's best... just kidding, it's only me that says that), playing a huge role in most of the album's production, melodies and harmonies as a whole (Cudi has also detailed working with Kanye and Jay Z on The Blueprint 3 in past interviews).  Kanye has always been the best example of "paving your own lane" when it comes to personality (hot take) and creativity as a whole, especially music. Now Cudi on the other hand... how does one describe Kid Cudi's musical ear and sound?  Kid Cudi is like if Pink Floyd and David Bowie somehow mixed together and had a psychedelic baby born on LSD and somehow already possessed the ability to play the piano. Now put these 2 musical entities together... and it creates the stuff of myth. Children are proven to experience more paranormal activity than the average adult, but on Kids See Ghosts... I think Kanye and Cudi made it possible for adults too. Check out my observations from Kids See Ghosts below.


Live Instrumentation That Gives It A Jam Session Feel



As if there was any question to if the project was going to be musical, Kanye brings the beats to Cudi's blues. All throughout the project, melodies on top of melodies are layered intricately and just perfectly enough for each contributor to do their part and not steal too much shine away from their partner... and Lord knows both are capable of doing so. "Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2)" intros with some heavy pounding drum kicks that sound like a nightmare reoccurring from 2010-2011; a nightmare brought on from the imaginative portraits that Cudi would paint throughout his writing in the Man On The Moon series.  This song is especially great because it takes you back to a time where old school grunge bands would show footage of themselves during their Behind The Music documentary's just jamming it out in the garage with the band, still figuring out their sound (besides those "ray of sunshine" like background vocals that Ty Dolla $ign provides, which are almost ghostly... ohhhhhh.. I get it!). The introduction guitar along with the progressing drums in the album's final track "Cudi Montage" sound like the perfect blend of a grungy Nirvana-era guitar, then somehow flips into a hardcore hip hop album cut that Jay Z could talk his shit over (remix idea, maybe? Oh dammit... nevermind. Forgot about Kanye and Jay's current status).


Cudi Haunts This Album With His Presence, And It's Absolutely Gorgeous, Terrifying, And Brand New, Yet Somehow A Blast From The Past

(*I do not own these songs, images, or the rights to them*)

Okay seriously crazy theory here... Is this a secret ode to Cudi's Man On The Moon series?  Is this a follow up WITHOUT BEING A FOLLOW UP?!  Haunting is the epitome of Cudi's presence throughout Kids See Ghosts, whether it be giving a beautiful yet somehow paranormal singing voice ("Feel The Love"), some all-seeing, all-knowing, prophetic types of song writing ("4th Dimension", and I mean just LISTEN to that introduction to Cudi's verse... talk about creepy!), some talks of being "Reborn": which, I mean come on, the song title is already saying something in itself; like dying and being "Reborn" as this new creature (and Cudi is clearly Unicorn status, by the way), and playing the guitar to what sounds like courting death (that grungy Nirvana sound)... almost as if he's leading you to a battle you know you can't win, an unsettling oath that is less like death and more like fulfilling prophecy; coming back stronger than ever before and leading your troops to victory in a battle more epic than the final Harry Potter movie ("Cudi Montage"). Seriously though, Cudi; we didn't think you'd take the whole "Reborn" thing as such a method actor!  It's like closing your eyes, hearing a movie and imagining it yourself as the soundtrack to darkness unfolds. Cudi himself adds more than vocals, production, or verses could all do put together, and this is why he's (in my opinion) one of the greatest to ever do it; his ambience creates more of a feeling than pure rapping could ever do; he's not just haunting you with his singing, he's creating a soundtrack to the madness in our minds.                
              


















                  

Observations From Kyle's Light Of Mine

It seems as if Kyle's burst onto the scene has been quite sudden, but the Ventura, California artist's comeuppance has been far from sudden, to those paying attention at least. After Rolling Stone named him as "one of the ten artists you need to know" in 2015, that same year Kyle released his second mixtape Smyle to some mild success, although he didn't achieve widespread recognition until the release of his single "iSpy" featuring Lil Yatchy in December of 2016, which peaked at #4 on The U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Though widely known for his abilities to make catchy hits seemingly tailored for the Hot 100 and girls around the world alike, Kyle can easily bar down your favorite rapper over goofy, yet melodic production that highlights his angelic vocals, which can be misleading as Kyle has a speech impediment, which at this point in his career seems to have added more to his amiable personality and rap style. Because Kyle is so known for his "hip pop" style, it was widely expected that his debut album Light Of Mine was going to consist of the qualities that he is best known for; feel good, sing-along songs that you can both sing like Usher and rap like Busta along to (though neither example used is anywhere near the personality on record I'd use to describe him); so did Kyle's light shine brightly or burn out into the dark?  That's what we're here to discuss; check out some key observations from Kyle's debut Light Of Mine.


Light Hearted Hits That Make You Groove


Hits aren't usually something that catch my attention since I'm usually one for more personal/harder hip hop album cuts, but Kyle brings that light hearted R&B heat all throughout Light Of Mine. The opening track "Ups & Downs" starts off with a very high pitched and tweaked voice that discusses what sounds like the party plans of a depressed introvert, but once it gets into the song, it sounds like the complete opposite of depressed with the essence of an early 2000's dance hit, and the swag of Lil Uzi Vert in a dress on steroids. The absolute best song on the album "Babies" featuring the lovely Alessia Cara sounds like that dumb, catchy pop hit you can't get out of your head, yet you love it and can't help but replay it for the 5th time in a row on your aux chord. "Babies" is one of those songs that if ever featured on an edition of "Tiny Desk Concert" or somehow MTV brought Unplugged back, you would swear it'd be the best version of any song to hit the web that week (get Thundercat on the bassline for that one, and you have yourself a performance).



Kid Cudi Influence Is Evident, But Kyle's Far From A Knock Off


Kyle can't pull off the legendary hums the way Cudi can (I swear those things could summon Phoenix's and magical creatures out of secret realms of the universe), but he gives his best impersonation on "To The Moon" (another way he pays homage to Cudi, especially knowing Cudi's discography), and it's still a pretty damn fair one at that. Despite that lisp he was made fun of for in school, Kyle has some pretty amazing abilities when it comes to throwing and forming his voice to fit different musical styles; the hook on "To The Moon" (unless it's vocal effects) sounds almost exactly like a Cudi hum, and in the beginning of "Zoom" he gives a nice little mumble hum that sounds very reminiscent of an early 2010's MOTM Cudi. The sound, theme, and writing approach in the album's final track "Clouds" is almost a direct inspiration draw to Cudi's talks and writing about self loathing, depression, and using the so-called 'Clouds" to feel better... and besides, who couldn't use a few clouds to bring them back to the top of the world anyways?  Kyle isn't impersonating his idol, he's doing something even cooler and more creative; finding ways to pay homage in his music without biting styles.


(*I do not own any of the audio or images posted, or the rights to them*)

Kyle falls just short in the rapping and emceeing aspect of things that I liked so much about Smyle, but he makes up for it in areas that require expert melody-making and song craftsmanship. The features throughout Light Of Mine add just enough to still keep it Kyle's album with a few nice surprises (plus Kehlani is super hot and is a queen of the melody game, as well as Alessia Cara), and each one adds their own perfect bit of DNA to each song, respectively. The album is not for the hardcore rap fans by definition, but if you're looking for a fun and much more positive listen, Light Of Mine could maybe bring some light to your life too with it's exciting musicality, above average guest features, and glowing personality.