It’s not clear if this is to be the last instalment of the man on the moon franchise, but what is clear is that Kid Cudi is back on track, and with this release, has made his best solo album to date.
With Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, Kid Cudi brings a fitting conclusion to a captivating adventure of a troubled but promising kid who eventually grows into a man.
Man on the Moon III proves that even the most harrowing stories can end on a bright note.
There's nothing Kid Cudi could release in 2020 that actually feels like the album he would have made immediately after The Legend of Mr. Rager, and even if there was, we'd all be talking about how little new ground it breaks. The Chosen then is the perfect middle ground: nostalgic enough, good enough, but also dedicated enough to just being a goddamn album without all the baggage.
Kid Cudi’s music reflects his personal experience, and the third installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy serves as a proper reprisal for the fans who feel that his soundtrack swings in rhythm with their life as well.
The Chosen is Kid Kudi's best solo project since the second Man on the Moon (and it may even have that one beat).
Man on the Moon, Vol 3: The Chosen represents both a return to form for Cudi as much as a distillation of his most successful experiments with genre and delivery.
We’ve seen it all before. Kid Cudi’s ability to be an avatar for people’s struggles with mental illness has always been central to his appeal. His music might still be relatable, but it has never sounded so cliché.
Even though Cudi’s heart is in the right place, Man on the Moon III is still like when the old rock band reunites and their costumes don’t fit anymore.
#16 | / | Highsnobiety |
#19 | / | Magnetic |