Elevated swagger and bending guttural tweaks make Indicud one of Cudi’s most innovative and mechanically self-produced projects to date.

Without any warning, you dive through the wormhole that is “The Resurrection Of Scott Mescudi,” the intro track. It’s a fitting instrumental that feels fleeting and predatory.

Coming back down a little closer to Earth, a seamless transition is made to one of my favorite tracks. It’s a casual walk through the industrial percussion section of Mescudi’s mind, and I totally dig it.

Kendrick skids on the grungy sequel, “Solo Dolo Part II,” which sounds more like a cryptic ride through a haunted house than it does a power-duo track. There’s only one way to flow over this beat, and their voices melt together in a way that makes them sound eerily similar.

I’ll be honest, when I first heard “Just What I Am,” I put it on repeat for days. Cudi’s reverberations throughout pair quite pleasantly with the recklessness of a coke-fueled bender. It’s impossible to not enjoy at least a little bit, even if you can’t stand stoner ballads.

The top-heavy album has its moments, but I’m not too close to saying this is Cudi’s best. His inner turmoil feels mechanized. But I think his ability to take risks is what sets him apart from the bunches of head-rappers today.

3.5/5