Released: 2/25/2014
5/7
Satellite Flight was released as an EP in order to give fans a little taste of what is to come before Man on the Moon III is released in 2015. Scott Mescudi produced the entirety of the album, including its ten tracks and its album art.
“Satellite Flight” was released three months the rest of the EP and from reactions on social media, it seemed that fans were pleased with the single and were definitely eager to hear the rest of the album. There were tweets and blog posts throughout January and February wondering when the EP would drop, and expressing their positive opinions on the single. Die-hard fans (like myself) were expecting an album similar to WZRD – which like Satellite Flight is a shorter album. Released in 2012, WZRD had about two decent tracks; the rest was extremely poor and can easily be considered Cudi’s worst work. Due to its length and the way Cudi was promoting it, I had a feeling that it was going to be WZRD quality work. Satellite Flight and WZRD definitely have a different sound than the rest of his music, but Satellite Flight showcases Cudi in a much better light. His current fans love it and he has regained old fans; and also added some new members to the “Cud Fam.”
Satellite Flight took me about four or five days to warm up to. The album frequently employs heavy instrumental, making the songs seem monotonous and almost boring. However, when listening to the album from start to finish, the four vocal-less tracks truly set a tone for the track list, and prepare the listeners for MOTM III.
New Cudi favorites have been brought to light on Satellite Flight. Listeners will easily fall in love with the vocal/rapping tracks.
First off, “Balmain Jeans” is unexpected and veers off from the music that fans expect from Kid Cudi. He is not one to bring much sexuality into his music, but this song is highly sexualized, and fans are obsessed. Complex Magazine discussed the shocking track, and how it put Cudi on the map when it came to gaining newer fans – especially female. In addition, this is the only track that features a guest, Raphael Saadiq – who’s high pitched “woos” set the track off.
The single “Satellite Flight” is more Man on the Moon-esque. By releasing this track early, Cudi brought back several older fans that became disillusioned with the artist after WZRD and last year’s album Indicud. The title of the track and EP, as well as the album art catch the Man on the Moon Cudi fan’s attention much more than newer music he has recently released. He is still making music he wants to make and is completely independent, but he is also rebuilding his huge fan base.
Cud has rapped a lot less in the past two albums, and continues the trend on this EP “Balmain Jeans” has more of an R&B feel, but has zero raps featured. The two tracks that immediately follow “Balmain Jeans” - “Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now” and “Internal Bleeding” help make this album five star worthy. They feature more rapping and have a heavier hip-hop feel, all while staying true and unique to Kid Cudi.
Satellite Flight is not for every hip-hop lover, but definitely worth the listen. The vocal tracks are undeniably powerful to any listener.
