Published in The Courier: Albums of the Year – ‘Kids See Ghosts’ by Kids See Ghosts

I wrote the following, with a 200 word limit, for The Courier ‘s album of the year list. ‘Kids See Ghosts’ was ultimately ranked 7th by the team – it should have been much higher, in my opinion.

“Kids See Ghosts was a collaboration many dreaded. Kanye was in full on pro-Trump mode and headed in a seemingly absurd artistic direction (see the semi-incestuous lyrics of ‘Xtcy’ and, of course, the whole “poop-di-scoop, scoop-diddy-whoop” business ). Meanwhile, Cudi’s discography over the previous 8 or so years was at best unremarkable and at worst farcical. Most significantly perhaps, both were in the midst of deep-seated mental health problems…

But, on the opening track, as Kanye’s maniacal ad-libs echo out like gunshots over bullish industrial drums before seamlessly transitioning into an uplifting bridge that sounds almost like pitched up whale song, it becomes clear these circumstances were treated as opportunities to be seized rather than as obstacles to be avoided.

Kids See Ghosts is a perfect storm, combining Kanye’s frenzied energy and pursuit of artistic perfection with Cudi’s ponderous, melancholic wisdom and enigmatic crooning. The result is a rhapsodic album which is simultaneously mournful and triumphant; Psychedelic yet grounded in the tangible, real life experiences of the two artists. It is a masterpiece from two of Hip Hop’s most scrutinized outsiders.”