In 2013 Travi$ Scott dropped a classic with ‘Owl Pharaoh‘. A more palatable ‘Yeezus‘, full of all the singles and introspection we’re used to hearing from mentor Kanye West. Alas, it was relatively slept on but earned Travi$ respect in all the right circles. So now in 2014, on the verge of his debut studio album ‘Rodeo‘, Travi$ drops ‘Days Before Rodeo‘ a mixtape that could of easily been an album.
On ‘Owl Pharaoh‘ Travi$ created a narrative through sound and story telling. On ‘Days Before Rodeo‘ Travi$ focuses more on a cohesive atmosphere, with a mood that gradually builds over the course of the set. There are no jarring jumps. Each track comfortably flows into the next. Opener ‘Days Before Rodeo: The Prayer‘ is a snare heavy drum beat and a groaning sample. This sets a gritty tone as Travi$ toes the line between reclusive rock star and (David) Lynchian villain. His sound is best described as a day-glo nightmare. Despite the instrumental he will always manage in someway to fill the track with a level of dread. ‘Drugs You Should Try It‘ is a mellow RnB sleeper about Travi$‘ relationship with experimentation. The instrumental is pleasant, but he also includes his trademark slowed vocals on the track giving the track a sinister feel. Which fits perfectly as the instrumental could lead one to believe that all is well, but the song itself is actually about a negative relationship with drugs.
His songwriting also takes a leap forward as he explores various themes with an added subtlety. ‘Skyfall‘ (with a massively unsuitable feature from Young Thug). Discusses Travi$‘ disillusionment with fame. He manages to talk about everything from drug addiction, drug dealing and dead friends in a chorus, and preoccupies the verses with idle brags, allowing the fact that he doesn’t know what he wants to hit home harder. He sounds lost, delirious even as he makes jokes in between lines of painful subject matter. The instrumental is smart as well, as the choruses are apocalyptic with downbeat keys, and the verses allow a single distorted bassline to rattle through. It juxtaposes the content perfectly.
Travi$ also shows off his production skills with the inspired sampling of british indie rock band The 1975’s track ‘M.O.NE.Y‘ on ‘Don’t Play‘. Featuring an absolutely on fire verse from Big Sean, the track rattles with it’s harpsichord keys and below sea level bassline. Travi$ also throws his hat into the lyricist ring as his rarely glimpsed word play comes through in full force. It’s a standout moment but also manages to blend in perfectly with the atmosphere of the tape. A minor complaint of his last release was that of all the lush production and songwriting the listener was never really introduced to Travi$ Scott as a real person. Well that’s rectified here on ‘Backyard‘ where Travi$ discusses his beginnings and time growing up. Far from a melancholy track, the song makes light out of his struggles and always turns them into positives. It’s a refreshing change from the low mood of the earlier part of the tape.
On ‘Days Before Rodeo’ Travi$ Scott proves that he is a force to be reckoned with. His production and song writing blends perfectly to create a stunning set heavy with mood and presence. The only worry is how will he follow this with his debut album ‘Rodeo‘?
5/5
