Soul Food

Playboi Carti | 2025 | 7/10
Genre: Trap, Pop Rap, Rage, Cloud Rap

The long-awaited album from the Atlanta superstar showcases an unexpected vintage Southern trap aesthetic, delivering both the greatest highlights of his career and some forgettable moments.

Finally, here it is. After more than a year of teasing, lead singles, and countless “fit pics,” Playboi Carti has released his third full-length studio album, MUSIC—albeit after eight additional hours of chaos and delays even on the official release day. However, the material diverges from expectations: the eerie, dark, and futuristic aesthetic on the pre-release singles—H00DBYAIR, BACKR00MS, and DIFFERENT DAY— wasn’t the project’s focal point. Instead, MUSIC pays tribute to the foundational trap icons of the 2000s and early 2010s, namely Lil Wayne, Lex Luger, and Gucci Mane.

Though this approach came as a surprise, Playboi Carti, once again, delivers in his own fashion. Truthfully enough, MUSIC doesn’t feel cohesive enough to sound like an “album.” It’s a collage that blends multiple styles: the post-Whole Lotta Red rage aesthetic, hyperpop-adjacent psychedelic trap, and classic Atlanta street rap filled with cheap gun sound effects, snare rolls, and Swamp Izzo DJ tags. With such a fusion, in a sense, MUSIC becomes a connection of antiquity and modernity, with Carti flexing his capabilities on both ends of the spectrum amidst the overload.

Carti’s vocal performance on the instrumentals arguably reaches a new peak. He pushes his voice further than ever, experimenting with fresh ad-libs and flows in a fearless manner. His technical skill has also never been sharper—on HBA, Carti delivers one of the most technically impressive verses of his career. He takes risks, showcases versatility, and proves why he stands on the frontline of the industry, inspiring new young talents to this day.

The album also boasts an all-star lineup of features, though not all collaborations are effective. In particular, his long-anticipated reunion with Lil Uzi Vert feels awkward and forced. At times, Carti is even overshadowed by the veterans—TRIM sounds more like a Future song featuring Carti, as Young Thug takes over WE NEED ALL DA VIBES. While these moments still are strong, they occasionally take away the momentum Carti carries as the project’s mastermind.

The second half of MUSIC begins to fall apart. A string of short, underdeveloped trap tracks with youtube-type beats—TWIN TRIM, DIS 1 GOT IT, OVERLY—feels like filler and could have easily been cut.

In conclusion, MUSIC isn’t quite an “album” in the traditional sense. Rather, it’s a sprawling showcase of Carti’s range and ambition as an artist. As its massive success on the Billboard charts reflects, Carti reasserts his position as one of hip-hop’s most influential giants. Despite its flaws, much of this 34-track behemoth hits the mark and keeps the listener engaged throughout its 89-minute runtime. For fans, it’s a time to be alive.

Favorite songs: POP OUT, CRUSH, K POP, MOJO JOJO, RADAR, BACKD00R, CRANK, CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE, GOOD CREDIT, TRIM, COCAINE NOSE, WE NEED ALL DA VIBES, HBA, DIFFERENT DAY, 2024, BACKR00MS, FOMDJ

Least favorite songs: MUNYUN, OPM BABI, TWIN TRIM, DIS 1 GOT IT, OVERLY