Kid Cudi just makes you want to sway. This is what I was reminded of the first time I listened to Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Scott Mescudi’s second full-length LP has seventeen tracks presented in five ‘acts,’ and features as many unexpected artists as his last epic, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. But Cudi isn’t completely back to his old ways — there’s a lot of new stuff on the table.

This mesmerizing album is much deeper than his first one, delving into his real life rather than his dreams and nightmares. His intoxicating vocals go back and forth between minor chords and slow rap lyrics, and the deliberate genre confusion doesn’t stop there. Continue reading →