After a hiatus of over four years, Playboi Carti has finally released a highly anticipated new album, Music (I Am Music). But will this album fulfill what fans have hoped for, or be a chaotic disaster we didn’t need?
Carti’s last album, Whole Lotta Red, was extremely popular when the world was still shut down, growing his fandom significantly, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 100,000 units sold in its first week, and gaining millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms like Spotify. However his disappearance since then from recording studios has left fans questioning if Carti would ever come back.
Over the years, speculations about a new album circulated, but many began to doubt it would ever actually happen. When Carti eventually teased a new album by releasing snippets and singles in December 2023, fans spread the news fast, growing anticipation on almost every social media and once the album hit streaming platforms, this became one of the most talked about drops.
Carti’s return with Music was met with a massive mix of emotions ranging from excitement to skepticism. Multiple leaks, false accusations, and delays led fans to question if new music would ever come or if this remarkable comeback was all a lie.
With his new album, let’s just say, Carti definitely hasn’t lost his spark – however, it might be slipping a little. While some of his music magic has simmered away, this album proves he still can make some outstanding hits. Tracks like Neon Dreams and C’est La Vie may make fans fall in love with his music all over again, reminding them of his signature blends of energy and infectious beats.
Critics have praised Neon Dreams as the album’s masterpiece because of how undeniably Carti it sounds. C’est La Vie is also a fan favorite, with its groundbreaking bass plus a tranquilizing flow, this song stands out as being one of the most memorable off of the album. Both songs have quickly risen in popularity and are the album’s highlights.
However, those are only two songs off a 30 track album. Music also includes several listens that have left fans dissatisfied. Voices and Cold Summer have drawn an enormous amount of negative reviews contributing to the albums mixed reception. Carti attempted to have his signature sound heard in Voices, but unfortunately failed and made fans very angry. Unless Carti is trying to make his music sound forced and ridiculously experimental, he did not impress anyone.
Another disappointment is Cold Summer, sounding like a filler song with its repetitive beats and no excitement. Fans likely would have been fine with 29 songs instead of 30. This track lacks the energy and distinctiveness Carti is known for, making it one of the weakest on the album.
Carti used to be known for pushing boundaries, yet rushing this album’s release left his music sounding unfinished and unpolished, leaving listeners missing his uniqueness and fluidity.
After finishing all 30 tracks, Music (I Am Music) is an album that reflects both the growth and struggles of Playboi Carti. There are undeniable highlights, with tracks that showcase his potential for greatness in the hip-hop industry. Still, there are also moments that feel underwhelming, reminding listeners that Carti might not ever be the same artist we used to love.
