BWW Reviews: KID CUDI's 'Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon'

In the five years since Scott Mescudi, or Kid Cudi, released Man on the Moon: The End of Day, he has taken listeners on an adventure, during which his express goal seemed to be weeding out the fans who knew only his radio singles. By doing so, he alienated many people, but also allowed himself to shine as a visionary artist who treats his albums the way the best film directors treat their movies.

Cudi always makes cohesive projects that allow him to focus on conceptual lyrics and sonic backdrops that many attempt to replicate, but simply don't understand well enough to succeed. After the second Man on the Moon album, Cudi made a rock album, which dismayed many, admittedly including myself. Although he made somewhat of a return to form with Indicud, the album had some issues. I did not dislike the projects, but wanted him to return to the root of what made old Cudi enjoyable: the interstellar sonic backdrops that reveled in their darkness.

I am happy to say, Cudi is back. Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon, returns to the ethereal and spacey sonic backdrops and lyrical themes, as the title suggests. Yet it also incorporates the strongest elements of his more recent projects. "Going to the Ceremony," the first track on the album that has vocals from Cudi, sounds like WZRD with its guitar driven sound. Yet, the song's subject matter, as well as the tone, allows it to fit well among the brilliant material only a rejuvenated Cudi could have created.

Over the course of its 41 minute run time, Kid Cudi seems to adequately raise expectations for Man on the Moon 3. The best track, "Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now," which appears directly in the middle of the album, sees Cudi resurrect his old flow over an amazing instrumental that truly makes me feel like he's transporting me to moon. That, despite a very strong back catalog, this is his most cohesive body of work, demonstrates that Scott Mescudi is an artist with great staying power.

Someone who, despite a legion of haters, will keep doing what he does best: pushing boundaries. It's great to see that Cudi is, as he mentions in "Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now," "Recreated/Rejuvenated/Rebooted/In a new program." I can't wait to see what he has in store.

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