Travis Scott’s Jackboys 2 looks like a missed alternative, missing imaginative and prescient, cohesion, and a real group dynamic.

Following “Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy,” anticipation for Travis Scott’s Jackboys 2 started constructing by way of leaked audio and stay efficiency previews. Still, for some purpose, I wasn’t significantly excited. Before diving in, I revisited the unique Jackboys from 2019. It was an honest group effort with a unified sound and minimal exterior options. It got here and went, nevertheless it sounded higher than what this sequel turned out to be.

Jackboys 2 feels much less like a collective showcase and extra like a Travis Scott and Don Toliver mission, with scattered contributions from Sheck Wes and SoFaygo. Eh. While Don continues to obtain correct highlight, the others are left within the background. They present up on tracks that really feel extra like filler than highlights. Travis appears to be emulating the success of rap teams like A$AP Mob or Watch the Throne. But he by no means permits different members to shine.

The album’s options had been hit and miss. GloRilla and Future felt pure, however appearances from Tyla and Vybz Kartel appeared misplaced. Overall, there’s an absence of cohesion and no clear id or theme. I saved making an attempt to determine what Jackboys 2 was presupposed to be, nevertheless it’s simply 55 minutes of empty, formulaic music. This may’ve been a breakout second for lesser-known Cactus Jack members, however as a substitute, it strengthened the identical hierarchy: Travis and Don on the prime. The relaxation are combating for scraps. The mission lacks objective and imaginative and prescient. It doesn’t even try to reply the query: What are the Jackboys, and what do they symbolize?

That stated, there have been some pleasurable moments. “CHAMPAIN AND VACAY” had potential, although Waka Flocka’s shouting felt extra distracting than hype-inducing. “NO COMMENTS” supplied a strong mix of synth-heavy manufacturing and Toliver’s melodic circulate. Travis’s diss geared toward Pusha T on “CHAMPAIN AND VACAY,” nevertheless, fell utterly flat. Pusha has taken large photographs up to now. The previous? That could be the yr 2025. Other highlights embrace “2000 EXCURSION” and 21 Savage’s function on “KICK OUT,” each of which introduced power and strong manufacturing.

But moments like these weren’t sufficient to hold the album.

Since Astroworld, an authorized basic, Travis Scott has felt creatively stagnant, choosing protected, formulaic tracks over experimentation. At this level in his profession, he may very well be pushing boundaries, however Jackboys 2 proves he’d moderately play it protected.

 It didn’t impress me, nevertheless it didn’t shock me both. Travis is aware of his lane and barely leaves it. While I gained’t be revisiting the complete mission, a few songs would possibly make it to my playlist.

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