Travis Scott Goes Left: What Went Mistaken With Jackboys 2?
Travis Scott’s Jackboys 2 appears 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 via leaked audio and reside efficiency previews. Nonetheless, for some cause, I wasn’t notably excited. Earlier than diving in, I revisited the unique Jackboys from 2019. It was an honest group effort with a unified sound and minimal outdoors options. It got here and went, however 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 undertaking, with scattered contributions from Sheck Wes and SoFaygo. Eh. Whereas 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. However he by no means permits different members to shine.
The album’s options have been hit and miss. GloRilla and Future felt pure, however appearances from Tyla and Vybz Kartel appeared misplaced. Total, there’s an absence of cohesion and no clear id or theme. I stored attempting to determine what Jackboys 2 was presupposed to be, however it’s simply 55 minutes of empty, formulaic music. This might’ve been a breakout second for lesser-known Cactus Jack members, however as an alternative, it bolstered the identical hierarchy: Travis and Don on the prime. The remainder are preventing for scraps. The undertaking lacks objective and imaginative and prescient. It doesn’t even try and reply the query: What are the Jackboys, and what do they characterize?
That stated, there have been some fulfilling 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 stream. Travis’s diss geared toward Pusha T on “CHAMPAIN AND VACAY,” nonetheless, fell utterly flat. Pusha has taken huge pictures up to now. The previous? That may be the yr 2025. Different highlights embody “2000 EXCURSION” and 21 Savage’s characteristic on “KICK OUT,” each of which introduced vitality and strong manufacturing.
However moments like these weren’t sufficient to hold the album.
Since Astroworld, a licensed basic, Travis Scott has felt creatively stagnant, choosing protected, formulaic tracks over experimentation. At this level in his profession, he might be pushing boundaries, however Jackboys 2 proves he’d reasonably play it protected.
It didn’t impress me, however it didn’t shock me both. Travis is aware of his lane and barely leaves it. Whereas I received’t be revisiting the complete undertaking, a few songs may make it to my playlist.
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