ASTROWORLD: a Definitive Ranking

Image Source: Epic Records

Thanks to a unique, autotune-heavy style and excellent production, Travis Scott has risen to prominence as one of the top artists in hip-hop. Recently, his long-awaited album ASTROWORLD was released in August, 2018 and quickly after its release, the album rose meteorically to the top of the charts, praised as some of Scott’s finest work to date. Now out for over two months, here’s a “top-ten” ranking of the album’s songs.

  1. “HOUSTONFORNICATION”: One of the few solo songs on the album, Scott changes vocal inflections and tones throughout “HOUSTONFORNICATION” wonderfully. The best feature of Scott’s songs is the sonically pleasing synchronization of his gravelly, autotuned voice with an eerie background, and that’s executed perfectly in a song great for late nights.
  2. “NO BYSTANDERS” (featuring Juice WRLD and Sheck Wes): A vibrant intro by Juice WRLD and a club-thumping chorus by Wes, mesh perfectly with some of the best flow we’ve ever seen from Scott. The most fun listen on the album.
  3. “STARGAZING”: The introductory song on ASTROWORLD, “STARGAZING” has two distinct yet equally fantastic sections. The first is slow-moving, face-numbing, autotuned brilliance, and the second showcases Scott’s underrated rapping talent.
  4. “SICKO MODE” (featuring Drake and Swae Lee): The most popular song on ASTROWORLD, “SICKO MODE” resembles a thrilling roller coaster,  with three different beat switches and memorable lyrics from Scott and Drake.
  5. “CAN’T SAY” (featuring Don Toliver): Nothing to write home about lyrically, but an incredible listen because of the vibrant vocals and flow from Scott and relative unknown Toliver.
  6. “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” (featuring Kid Cudi and James Blake): A song that’ll leave you contemplating the nature of existence, Travis raps depressively and delivers an aesthetic chorus over Cudi’s signature “mmm’s.”
  7. “NC-17” (featuring 21 Savage): Appropriate to the title, Scott and 21 deliver some gleefully explicit lyrics over a thumping bass, leaving listeners both ready to party, and laughing hysterically.
  8. “ASTROTHUNDER”: Scott turns introspective on “ASTROTHUNDER” over a beat that sounds like it’s twinkling. A song that takes a few listens to truly appreciate.
  9. “R.I.P SCREW” (feat. Swae Lee): Scott and Swae Lee, previously collaborating on “Nightcrawler” from Scott’s 2015 album Rodeo, prove again they’re one of the most underrated combinations in hip-hop. “R.I.P Screw” is memorable for its psychedelic background and soothing vocals that transport the listener.
  10. “CAROUSEL” (featuring Frank Ocean): Though his veres doesn’t quite mesh well with Scott’s, the wonderful, lucid chorus by Ocean props the song up.

 

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