Kid Cudi
Indicud
Universal Music Canada – April 16th 2013
By Joshua Khan (@blaremag)
Find it at: iTunes | Insound | HMV Digital
6.4
Kid Cudi has always been an outsider and his ambition is to blame. The Cleve rhymesayer is known to push forward rather than look on, and like his third record entitled Indicud, it overflows when it becomes too grandeur, presenting him as a character with shoes you can’t quite fill. Like his previous efforts, the album unconsciously wades around a theme, melting into its artwork with a framed sense of “doom and gloom” that pulls slow-burning beats apart and watches them tremble with rickety percussion and scuffed bass. In short, its minimalist swings make verse-first cuts (“Solo Dolo Pt. II”, “Brothers”) hit you on impact but its on paper shine (Michael Bolton, RZA and Too $hort?) can barely trace the album’s movements through Cudi’s conscious. Just don’t be quick to wave off his creative methods. Expansive as they are, he’s still capable of exploring indie rock’s makeup with the bright spots of Indicud flipping Ratatat and MGMT for Haim and Father John Misty, and even giving orchestral sessions some much needed mojo.
Listen: “Young Lady”, “New York City Rage Fest”, “King Wizard” || Watch: “Immortal”