Kid Cudi “Entergalactic” Review
By Declan Bunch
Taken from shuttershock.com
Nearly two years after 2020’s “Man on the Moon III,” Kid Cudi makes his long-awaited return with his 8th album and an accompanying animated film. “Entergalactic” arrived on Sept. 30, 2022, with an album drop on streaming platforms and a Netflix film release. The album is intended to be a soundtrack for the film, with songs directly touching on characters and plot points. The project pushed Cudi and the team behind him to explore new genres and mediums of art to create an experience for fans that feels familiar but fresh at the same time.
From a glance at his discography, one would think this balance of consistency and experimentation comes easy to Kid Cudi. Fans praise him for his ability to approach familiar themes with new perspectives and strong expression. This is especially clear in the acclaimed “Man on the Moon” trilogy, which concluded with its final installment in late 2020. During the writing and recording process of “Entergalactic,” Cudi felt that some songs weren’t suited for the more optimistic tone. These deeply emotional and melancholic songs formed “Man on the Moon III”. This album served as a cathartic experience for Cudi, which would allow him to pursue a brighter side in his work.
“Entergalactic,” the album, appreciates the hopeful side of Kid Cudi. Common motifs in his work, such as depression, substance abuse and self-loathing, take a backseat in this project, leaving room for subjects like love and perseverance. The instrumentals display a shift as well. Catchy drumming and spacey synths guide the listener through the tracklist. As indicated by the title, the world of “Entergalactic” is explored through an outer-space lens. This is unsurprising to many fans; Cudi has successfully utilized this perspective for years. While the tone shift of the album is actively welcomed by many, it was not well received by all. Some find the album lacking depth, and many argue the issues of mental health and other unspoken struggles are essential characteristics of a Kid Cudi project. Despite these criticisms and expectations, Cudi embraces the optimistic perspective and fuels his expression with auspicious emotions.
The accompanying film understandably exhibits mostly the same strengths and receives similar criticisms. The plot follows graffiti artist Jabari (voiced by Cudi) as he accepts a prestigious job illustrating for a comic company. Cosmic Comics wants him to develop Mr. Rager, a character from his street artist days, into a comic. But in traditional rom-com fashion, the main focus throughout the story is the blossoming relationship between Jabari and his new neighbor, Meadow. The plot can be formulaic at times, operating within the confines and tropes of the genre — even an unexpected ex shows up to potentially foil the new couple. While little experimentation and true emotional depth are displayed, the film accomplishes what it was intended to — a refreshing, feel-good but still meaningful experience for fans and Cudi alike.
While there are many valid criticisms of the plot, few can dismiss the vivid imagery of “Entergalactic.” With studio giant Netflix backing the project, Cudi was able to tell his story through dazzling animation. Bright, saturated colors swim in each scene. The illustrations seem familiar but altered. Consistent with Kid Cudi’s music, the animation finds its place in a specific genre but from a perspective that feels unique. The space-themed synth-laden music integrates seamlessly with the lively visuals.
With “Entergalactic,” Kid Cudi reimagines his process for creating, expressing and presenting his work. He has recently expressed disdain for the album writing process and even the industry as a whole. Cudi himself speculates that this could be his last music endeavor. Recently preferring acting and now filmmaking, Cudi is moving in a new direction. From the perspective of this being his last album, “Entergalactic” serves as the perfect conclusion to Kid Cudi’s discography. After years of depression and pessimism, Cudi presents a dazzling world of hope and optimism.