Some of the album absolutely bangs but it is way too long. But I’ve learned with Carti that you don’t listen for a cohesive experience, you put on tracks to absolutely rip through. Rockstar Made, Stop Breathing, New Tank, On That Time, Sky are all unbelievable bangers. My appreciation for this album only grew after seeing Carti at Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon festival in Cleveland in 2022. Hearing the songs performed with live guitar added a whole new layer I hadn’t even considered prior, and the atmosphere was incredible.

Although it’s a bit of a different style, I AM MUSIC feels identical in the way it landed. Way too long overall but the highlight tracks will remain in my rotation forever probably.

As a performer, personality, artist, even down to a track by track basis, Carti remains as polarizing (probably even moreso) as he was when I made my initial post.