UTOPIA: THE STORY (2)
- appleskeats
- Oct 22, 2023
- 7 min read
Part 4: TRACK ANALYSIS
1. HYEANA
Hyena is basically evidence that Travis mustn't have skipped history classes. The Hyena belongs to Greek History.
As mentioned before, it talks about his bad sins, bad deeds.
Travis has used many samples from different songs for this album. For Hyena, he has used “Proclamation” by Gentle Giant whose lyrics are very similar or just adopted in the beginning of Hyena where Travis says,
“Тhе ѕіtuаtiоn we are in at this time, Neіthеr a good one nor is it sо unblesѕed”
meaning he hasn't found he is still in his dystopian state of mind.
2. THANK GOD
Kanye has been credited with the contribution to this song's lyric making,
one of the contributions of Kanye on this album. this track crawls in your head.
Thank God speaks about a lot of things, especially Stormi’s voice gives it a playful touch which might be added to represent their daddy daughter bond. Travis may not be able to give his daughter or couldn't, he still cares about her and gives importance to their relationship.
The best part is the chorus and Kayycy add colors in the colors.
Again, here he mentions his faith in Jesus, in the lines;
“He won't mislead his followers ”
3. MODERN JAM
This is the beginning phase of the album, setting off Scott's journey to search utopia, no wonder he'd try to find it in external possessions, AKA, Women.
Travis flexes about women in this track, he starts off the track by praising or worshiping his guru, Kanye.
“To the maker, vibrator, Roof shaker, earthquaker, Annihilator, Yeah”
and enters the first verse telling his girl to get ‘off the (Insta) gram’
Also, this track is another Kendrick influence on the track, like
“My dick so hard, pokin' like the Eiffеl”
is taken from one of Kendrick’s tracks which doesn't really make sense. I mean, Kentrick's track, from where this line is adopted from
(Sometimes it got be like that sometimes )
4. MY EYES
Until you're reading this, I'm pretty sure 90% of you all must've seen videos mentioning Kylie's reference in the track in the lines,
“All of that green and yellow, that drip from your eyes is tellin' Tell you demise, I went to my side”
But her influence is more than just these two lines.
The 1st part of this song's hold the introspective thoughts.
This is one of the most vulnerable tracks on the album where Travis is giving us a red carpet welcome into his deepest thoughts and showcases his rawest unfiltered emotions.
A Japanese House track has been used in this one. Lyrically, He mentions lack of genuine love in this life and loneliness.
As a celebrity, it's definitely not an easy thing to be able to get these things, I mean finding genuine love that too as a celebrity.
In the 2nd part he talks about the ASTROWORLD tragedy and how it became one of the haunting memories for him, making him wish to go back and save the victims.
Such things take a heavy toll on an artist's mind, imagine someone dying as a result of visiting you.
“That shit wild, instead I'm a hero. I took it from zero, LaFlame Usain. I run it from miles, this shit wasn't luck, They got me fucked up, I put you on bus and take you around”
He bought a yellow bus for Stormi once. These lines, though, are similar to Scott's previous tracks like “Coffee bean” in ASTROWORLD.
Despite everything, this album is CEO of subtle lyric quotes, MY EYES's last line has one of the most overwhelming structures, I mean I don't have words, like this
“If I gave you a day in my life or a day in my eyes, don't blink”
Damn.
5. GOD'S COUNTRY
Travis seems to be searching for clarity and peace in his mind.
This one puts you in a trance. It is very Kanyeish & has a trippy beat from the very recurring “La, la, la” throughout the song (sample from the “Space Cowboy" Splice pack made by producer Dez Wright).
The Title God's country suggests a place full of lush greenery, positivity which contrasts the dark & devilish lyrics describing Travis's state of mind.
Moreover, ASTROWORLD'S “BUTTERFLY EFFECT”'S reference has been taken here.
Forgive me for not giving analytical details about tracks included here but the tracks here mostly are houseful of machine energy and heavy, loud and hustling,
blanketing the lyrical themes of tracks,
the energy is dope & we're having it.
6. SIRENS
One of such tracks is SIRENS, again this track being in the middle part of the album signifies danger temptations of lust, the alluring sounds throughout the track.
The bridge showcases a conversation between male & female voices where the man brings her into his hotel room, where he explain UTOPIA lies here for him.
This is perhaps of an attempt to show that UTOPIA isn't a destination, and one can't acheive it through short term souces of material fulfillment
7. MELTDOWN
I'm not a BIGG Fan of Drake again, But I do listen to Drake
but his ‘Yuh’. Jesus.
After Fair trade, Portland, Sicko Mode,
Drake's back in the house with Trav and the music carries the phantom power,
it is unbeatable and if you just listen to it with full volume up,
how was the journey of Mars?
There has not been any profound or reflective lyrical sense added to it, t's just vibes.
8. FE!N
FIEN.
OH MY GOSH CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE PLAYBOY CARTI EFFECT HERE.
One of the most roughly textured and bustling tracks,
one of best collaborations on the album.
It echoes every corner of your mind and it's just,
I don't know, maybe scary?
9. DEL RESTO
'Delresto (Echoes)' might appear to be just a Beyoncé feature on a Travis song but on Travis's side this is another Kylie reference on the album.
Del Resto was the name of the street where Kylie & Travis used to live in 2017, perhaps at Kylie's residence while Jay-Z's reference has been made by Beyónce as per fans.
10. I KNOW
I love this track for its druggy melancholic tone. I'm in love with this one.
Travis is intoxicated and wants to sleep with a woman who has other intentions and doesn't wish to accompany him regarding the same.
He is in a state of intoxication, he keeps repeating the same lines.
Also, The groovy melody keeps you swimming.
11. TOPIA TWINS
Well, this is a great track but lyrically it doesn't give you the feel.
The lyricbag is empty and the music has been experimented to the core.
Couple of the songs follow this sequence but the energy has been maintained
12. CIRCUS MAXIMUS
The name has been adopted from ancient Rome history,
told you man ain't missed history classes,
Circus Maximus was the name of the largest stadium in ancient Rome built for chariot races. I wonder if next he'll write about Gas Chambers or guillotine.
The Weeknd works as a conversation adapter with Travis here on their celebrity lifestyle, where Abel talks about the girls they're hanging out with are due to fame, he asks this through these lines,
“But do you care if I was alive? Or do you wanna be famous?”
13. PARASAIL
PARASAIL talks about Resilience and forgiving ourselves,
basically “Parasailing oneself”
Litreally, that's the only thing I can say about this,
you gotta listen the whole track to get an experience.
14. SKITZO
Track' s mesmerizing beat switches gets you.
The Young thug features add magic.
Again, they're talking about breakup,
Thug’s time in Jail & Tragedy.
15. LOST FOREVER
He mentions being trapped on an ocean, possibly symbolizing feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a difficult situation. Synonymous with the title,
Travis is feeling stuck here not knowing what to do and trying to escape the situation.
16. & 17. LOOOVE AND K-POP
KPOP is the baddest track on the album, 'Not musicwise' but for not fitting into the style of the overall album. Don't call out my names immedaietely
The track has been dedicated to girls and he talks about sex.
But wait, KPOP doesn't stand for Korean Pop Industry, no one's having a Kpop debut, (OBVIOUSLY).
KPOP stands for a lollipop containing ketamine,
a strong anesthetic drug that can cause the user hallucinations.
LOOOVE on the other hand, co-written by Pharrel Williams, featuring Kid Cudi.
Let's not Forget Travis Scott's Scott comes from Kid Cudi 's real name which I don't have any lyrical explanation of but again this is a misfit for the album, feels out of place.
These two songs do not seem to belong to the album but the placements of these songs could give you a hint why it is so.
These two tracks come at the last phase of the album of 'Finding UTOPIA' which perhaps shows the fact that Travis is Travis, being so near to achieve his UTOPIA (in track TELEKINESIS) in the last moments he's directionless, getting distracted by women
and his material possessions which is something felt by all of us somewhere in our lives.
18. TELEKINESIS
The actual meaning of this term goes as follows ;
“supposed ability to move objects at a distance by mental power or other non-physical means'' or “the ability to manipulate objects with your mind”
Thus the title signifies his control over his demons as this is the of Scott's “achieving Utopia'' era since it's the second last track on the album which makes it a fit to end the album.
The floating tone isn't as harsh or rough as previous tracks like Sirens or Meltdown taking its own time making it a peaceful melody.
Moreover, there's talk about entering the afterlife.
Scott's habitual of using satanic symbols and reference in his art,
here we notice a mention of ‘Lucifer’ which here refers to drugs & alcohol.
The term “dodging Lucifer ” is his attempt to dodge intoxication also in the chorus of Future.
Diving into Future’ welcoming verses, the lines
“Used to wanna fuck an R&B bitch” highlights Future's past relationship with R&B Star
Ciara, followed by narrating his struggle.
SZA’s & Future’s presence gives this track a blessed touch, SZA’s outro gives it an angelic layer.
19. TILL FURTHER NOTICE
21 kicks off the track recalling his mom's advice on putting him first which again resonates with Lamar’s second last track, “Mirror” of Mr. Morale where he sings
“I choose me, I'm sorry”
Here, signifying Travis chooses himself,
finally achieving UTOPIA & shows his acceptance towards his mistakes, relationship, regrets and that he has learnt from his past mistakes and let go of his chaos.
Eventually wholly surrendering himself to Jesus and embracing peace adding a full stop to his hunt for constant searches for temporary alternatives to escape his thoughts and use drugs as a medium to seek euphoria.
Congratulations.
We've passed all levels of the game & Scott has finally reached the UTOPIA which is not in his hotel room, not at the bank but it is that ideal state of mind.
Concluding this, I'd say this one was the most lenghty article I've ever written, took the lot of research and efforts, I'm happy about this.
ALso, I'd say this is personal to Travis but he has tried his best to share his journey, talk about it and help us understand the real UTOPIA in our day to day lives.
Contact: appleskeats@gmail.com
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