This album reminds me of the dream worlds from the video game Battle for Bikini Bottom. Playing as SpongeBob, we get to have glimpses of Patrick, Sandy, and Squidwards innermost wants. Similarly, Man on the Moon transports us into Cudi’s brain and shows us the pleasant dreams along with the frightening nightmares.
Released in 2009, I’m pretty confident I copped this off the apple store. Young Alex was enamored with these tracks playing from his iPod touch and older Alex feels the same today with his record.
There are fifteen songs divided into five acts. You just want to lie on your back, stare at the ceiling, and let everything else melt away as you go through his story. It’s chill inducing. The lyrics throughout are real and layered enough that intently listening today was a time capsule into when I listened in high school. Cudi opens his heart up and that relatability hits for a time when emotions and mental health wasn’t as widely talked about. For most of my experience I held the gatefold like a book, following along with the lyrics and that made me feel even closer with the music.
The insturmentals are incredibly dynamic, layered, and different than typical 2009 hip hop. Just like the concept of being a dream the beats are dreamy, eerie, and distinct. It starts strong and ends just the same. It’s easy to see the vision and there’s not a single miss. There’s a reason I’ll still hear Pursuit of Happiness and Day n Night out in public.
Rating: 908/1000
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