Kid Cudi - Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven (2015) Hi-Res

Sounding like his 2012 rap-rock album/project WZRD but without the polish, Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven finds Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi becoming Cleveland rocker Kid Cudi via the garage. Production is minimal, everything sounds raw, and the songwriting could be stream-of-consciousness since the lyrics are generally simple or just strange. For outsiders, "Confused!" is the track to pick, as it sticks in the head with the "Who am I? Who are we?/All I want is to feel complete" chorus, and then resonates with "I hate the drugs but I love the numb." "Fairy Tale Remains" sounds as if Death Grips aimed to make a My Bloody Valentine album and the chops just weren't there, but much of Speedin' Bullet would benefit from a better band, another run through the writing, or outside ideas. Longtime fans who love getting stuck in this artist's head might enjoy all the freedom and questions, while outsiders could argue it's just sloppy and confused. He's a maverick, no doubt, but he's also just earned himself his own wing in the Hall of Albums Best Left to Hardcore Fans.