Originally Published: December 27, 2021
The anticipated Playboi Carti Album, “Whole Lotta Red” just dropped on Christmas Eve, and to say the reviews by fans were mixed would be an understatement. Carti’s second studio album was executively produced by Kanye West and Matthew Williams, along with honorable mentions like Pi’erre Bourne, Wheezy, and Maaly Raw. Featuring artists include Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Future. While fans were anticipating the leaked song “Kid Cudi” on the album, unfortunately they were disappointed on the December 25th 24-track release. There is potential, however, for this track to be on his deluxe.
The first few tracks of the album are definitely a loud introduction. “Rockstar Made” and “JumpOutTheHouse” are songs that make anyone listening want to mosh in a pit. “Go2DaMoon” was not a feature I was personally expecting, but a track that was definitely needed nevertheless. Ye and Carti’s styles both contain a little bit of rage that each complimented each other. However, the energy of the first 5 tracks almost takes away from Carti’s quick-witted bars and left some listeners unimpressed. The second feature song, “M3tamorphosis”, includes Cudi’s signature humming, is where the project starts to sound like something that fans were probably more used to from Carti. Future featured song “Teen X” was a track that I think really suited the duo, in a sense that both artists were able to play off of each other very well.
This album features plenty of elements that listeners were not necessarily expecting on this project. Primarily, the Atlanta rapper’s signature “baby voice”, or notable high pitched style, wasn’t a main component included in most of the album. Songs like “Vamp Anthem” and “Not PLaying” show a different element of him that wasn’t incorporated as much in first album Die Lit. Listeners get more exposed to a more personable perspective of Carti’s life through his music, which was probably something many were not anticipating.
As Carti claimed that this album was some of his “best work” via Twitter, some were very underwhelmed, but was it warranted? Many artists evolve into a new sound that will either be received well by fans or not, and with Carti’s situation I think he is sticking to a sound that is well suited for him. Obviously an artist’s album should be a collaboration of songs that will sell and songs that are unique to you, but I think Carti chose himself in this project. I think many listeners were anticipating a duplication of Die Lit, and psyched themselves from hearing a different sound from Playboi Carti. While reactions were mixed on Carti’s work, one thing listeners cannot deny is the quality of the sound and production, which was probably not surprising. This album was probably one of the best produced albums in 2020 in my opinion. Tracks like “King Vamp”, “No Sl33p”, “Slay3r”, and “ILoveUIHateU” were some of my favorites as far as the production goes.
Overall, I think this album will be more of a grower on listeners than a love at first sight type of reaction. About the same reaction was received from the infamous Die Lit album, and I have a good feeling many will come to love and embrace the new sound of Carti. As he has hinted at a deluxe album, more fans hopefully will be accustomed to the project and Carti will deliver even more heat.
Give Playboi Carti’s new album “Whole Lotta Red” a listen on Spotify and Apple Music below.
