After years of anticipation, Playboi Carti has lastly dropped his long-awaited third studio album, MUSIC, delivering an formidable sonic expertise that stretches the boundaries of his signature sound. Launched simply forward of his headlining set at Rolling Loud California, the venture has already damaged data, turning into Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2025 thus far.
With a lineup of high-profile collaborations and an adventurous manufacturing type, MUSIC cements Carti’s place as one among hip-hop’s most unpredictable innovators.
From the opening moments of “POP OUT,” Carti makes it clear that MUSIC is something however formulaic. The observe explodes with a clashing, garage-rap power that alerts a wider sonic panorama than something he’s tried earlier than. The album then veers into sudden territory with “CRUSH,” that includes Travis Scott. Right here, Scott absolutely immerses himself in Carti’s world, leaning into his high-pitched “child” vocals, whereas Carti opts to not dive too deeply into his signature type. The observe’s last moments, layered with choir vocals, showcase a newfound musicality that units MUSIC other than his earlier work.
One other standout is “EVIL JORDAN,” which kicks off with a melancholic nod to The Weeknd’s 2023 hit “POPULAR” earlier than Carti shifts into a wholly completely different stream and vocal cadence. The Weeknd reappears afterward “RATHER LIE,” lending his signature melody to one of many album’s most accessible and radio-ready tracks. Travis Scott makes one other look on “PHILLY,” the tune that reintroduces the deep, guttural vocal tone that first despatched Carti’s fanbase right into a frenzy final yr.
Maybe essentially the most stunning inclusion on MUSIC is Kendrick Lamar, an artist whose meticulous, socially charged method to rap typically contrasts with Carti’s freeform, ad-lib-driven type. But their collaborations on “GOOD CREDIT” and one other observe emerge as a few of the album’s standout moments, with Kendrick’s intricate lyricism assembly Carti’s experimental supply. Including one other sudden layer, the observe encompasses a vocal supply paying homage to Jhené Aiko’s ethereal sing-rap cadence, additional highlighting the album’s fluidity.
Past Scott, Lamar and The Weeknd, MUSIC boasts a formidable record of options, together with Skepta, Future, Younger Thug, Ty Dolla Signal and longtime collaborator Lil Uzi Vert. This assorted visitor record displays Carti’s means to traverse a number of corners of hip-hop whereas retaining his sound distinct.
The timing of the discharge provides one other layer to Carti’s custom of aligning his drops with main cultural moments. In 2018, his debut album DIE LIT, arrived simply earlier than Rolling Loud Miami; now, almost seven years later, MUSIC landed on the eve of Rolling Loud California, the place he took heart stage as a headliner.
Whereas Carti leans into new territories along with his vocals and beat alternatives, there’s nonetheless lots to be desired on the lyrical ingredient of his music. Though he has by no means claimed to be essentially the most lyrical artist, in the event you’re going to title an album MUSIC, it ought to exhibit some lyrical progress as properly.
With early projections pointing towards a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200, MUSIC is already proving to be a defining second in Playboi Carti’s profession. A fusion of uncooked power, avant-garde manufacturing and sudden collaborations, the album reaffirms his standing as one among hip-hop’s most enigmatic and influential artists of his technology.