By Jess Owens – Staff Reporter

Travis Scott’s third album is unarguably his strongest to date.

“Astroworld” re-imagines the defunct Six Flags AstroWorld theme park of Scott’s native Houston, but made perfectly to his liking. The 26-year-old is an avatar for a generation of playlist-making curators who have positively embraced “creative” as a job title.

The album was released on August 3rd, featuring artists like Drake, Frank Ocean, the Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, two-thirds of Migos, John Mayer, James Blake, Swae Lee, Stevie Wonder and many more.

Travis sold 553,408 copies of Astroworld first week with 270,355 of those as pure sales, putting him at #1 on the charts.

The album has 17 tracks starting off with “Stargazing,” an atmospheric track that sets the trap tone. Travis says in the song, “Whenever I’m down, it got me goin’ crazy/Psychedelics got me goin’ crazy.” It’s a reference to the highs, lows, and flows that he’s been through.

“Sicko Mode,” featuring Drake, is the main attraction of the album. Its three sick and overwhelming beat change-ups are like a roller-coaster that jabs your sides with sudden twists and turns. This track become the biggest hit of the album hitting #1 on the charts almost everywhere.

“Astrothunder” has contributions from Thundercat and John Mayer, while “Stop Trying to Be God” plays host to the record’s most involved vocal take from Scott, with beautiful harmonica lines (from Stevie Wonder) and keys surrounding his voice.

It’s on “Coffee Bean” that Scott talks about his unexpected parenthood with Kylie Jenner. He explains his complicated feelings on the subject. “Your family told you I’m a bad move,” sings Scott.

Travis isn’t a typical rapper and he’s never tried to be. “Astroworld” stands out in today’s hip-hop generation largely because Travis is the only MC in 2018 who could possibly have created a project with this style of sound.

“Astroworld” may have some slight flaws, but the project is Travis’ best, most progressive and put together album to date. Travis is out to win it and at the rate he is at, he’s unstoppable.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars