A decade after its initial release, Travis Scott’s “DAYS BEFORE RODEO” has finally made its way to digital streaming platforms on Aug. 23. The project follows Scott’s debut mixtape “Owl Pharaoh,” which was a mess fans are happy to have forgotten.
While the project was initially heavily criticized for its inconsistent production and unsubstantiated experimentation, many Scott fans believe the mixtape aged gracefully. Although his raw experimental sound felt odd and unprecedented at first, his ability to master this genre of soundscape is exactly what catapulted him up the charts years later.
As the title suggests, “DAYS BEFORE RODEO” acts as a prelude to the Houston rapper’s debut album, “Rodeo.”
The mixtape begins with “The Prayer,” a bass-heavy track that successfully sets a brooding tone for the rest of the tracklist. Scott’s use of distorted, chopped-and-screwed production techniques is showcased in “Mamacita,” a personal favorite because of its pulsating beat and melodic hook.
“DAYS BEFORE RODEO” pioneers a trend of using beats to create an immersive atmosphere. “Drugs You Should Try It” is the epitome of this practice, as it uses harmonic auto-tuned vocals layered over a squeaky background sample to produce a certified banger.
Probably my personal favorite out of the bunch is “Backyard.” Scott hones in on his trap roots and uses layered instrumentation to tell a simple story of him getting inebriated in the comfort of his backyard. For Houstonians, this track is emblematic of the city’s nightlife.
However, the album lacks the consistency and polished production evident in his later work. By the time “Rodeo” drops, it’s clear Scott underwent exponential growth in the realm of production, likely due to his proximity to prominent producer, Kanye West.
After years of having to download Soundcloud and endure vexing advertisements after every song just to listen to this album, I am overjoyed to finally add my favorite tracks to my Spotify playlist. And I’m not the only one.
By releasing this mixtape a decade later on digital streaming platforms, Scott reminds everyone why he’s one of the biggest superstars on the planet.
