‘Days Before Rodeo’ by Travis Scott: Retrospective Review

Travis Scott is one of select a few artists who’s discography you could rank in any order and face little objection. With his upcoming album, Utopia, seemingly on its way, let’s have a look at a project from way back when he kept a dollar sign in his name. Though his three major studio albums often get the most love, his second project of five, Days Before Rodeo (2014), achieves the same level of quality.

‘Days Before Rodeo’ album cover taken from Jeff Frijhoff’s photos during a Travis show in Amsterdam

As all of his albums go, upon listening to DBR, you can immediately sense the influences of both Kid Cudi and Kanye West. What sets DBR apart from his other projects is its unrefined mixtape charm. The project remains cinematic and bold while maintaining the appeal of a rising artist provinge himself. However, the strongest–yet often overlooked aspect of this project–is that this is Travis Scott’s best work as a rapper. No matter how terrific his subsequent projects are, DBR displays his finest talents as an MC.

The ninth track, ‘Basement Freestyle,’ is a perfect example of his abilities at the time. Throughout the amusement park of an instrumental, La Flame raps, talks, and rages all around it. Unfortunately, a contributing factor to why it’s a total Travis song is that, like a couple songs on each of his albums, there’s some lazily written bars. However, if you know Travis, you know he’s “aesthetic first” kind of artist, making each of these blunders forgivable.

Fan art for the album cover and songs by legendary designer Kodone

“Man, I might fuck ’round, lose my mind, I gotta break out”

Though fun in any order due to its sonic variety, Travis structured the album with conviction. Travis is a master of opening tracks and here, ‘Days Before Rodeo: The Prayer,’ is no exception. Over a gentle but haunting beat, Travis flows with great control while introducing the dark aesthetic that has permanently defined his career since. Though one of the most restrained tracks here, it’s engaging while clearly building up to something.

‘Mamacita’ single cover

And that something is ‘Mamacita,’ one of his most popular tracks to date. A staple of his desert style, ‘Mamacita’ has this addicting guitar string every two measures that Travis, Rich Homie Quan, and Young Thug make the most of to emphasize their bars. Not only notable for a skilled verse from Cactus Jack himself, but an early indicator of the magic that comes when he brings in other young trap artists onto his songs.

But the old trap artists work just as well! The third track, ‘Quintana Pt.2‘ features OG trap star, T.I. Using some of his trademark vocal augmentation and a very unique flow, Travis manages to not get outrapped by his elder. And the hook is as simple as it gets, but still unforgettable.

“When the day gets better, the night gets brighter”

Tracks four and five, ‘Drugs You Should Try It‘ and ‘Don’t Play’ capture the essence of DBR flawlessly. Both are on opposite ends of the banger spectrum, with ‘Drugs’ being a psychedelic relaxation and ‘Don’t Play‘ being an addictive banger. Like the whole tape, both songs feel like you’re experiencing them at any summer function; the sunset at a huge music festival, a late night party in a backyard, or even just driving around with friends beyond midnight. They’re the essence of a summer night, just like DBR itself. However, the main reason that they speak for this project is that you’d be hard pressed to find any songs that sound like either of them anywhere else.

‘Don’t Play’ music video

‘Skyfall‘ is a continuation of the vibes off the opening track. Here, Travis and Young Thug lightly touch on mental health in the murkiest cut of the project.  It’s a complete predecessor to the kinds of songs Travis would fill his Rodeo (2015)and Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016) albums with. While the verses are interesting, ‘Skyfall’ stands out for the use of vocals to create a vast and airy soundscape.

“La-di, da-di, da-di, all the kids shout at the party!”

Despite a major sonic contrast, ‘Skyfall’ perfectly leads to the heater, ‘Zombies.’ One of the most Kanye influenced songs here, the instrumental is absolutely massive.  ‘Zombies’ sounds like a group of friends smashing everything around them, rejecting responsibility and living in the moment. It’s a teenage angst anthem and all the better for it.

After this, the energy of DBR reaches its peak in the form of ‘Sloppy Toppy.’  A song of this title featuring Migos and PeeWee Longway should make any reasonable person skeptical but OH MAN this is a banger!  A mess in only the best possible ways, the five rappers are having an absolute blast on the song.  As funny as it is, Travis actually comes in with one of his hardest verses on the project, PeeWee matches him, and each Migo greatly contributes.  Only fun over here.

Travis rocking a show. PC: Kevin Gates

“We wake up when the sun goes down…”

After ‘Basement Freestyle‘ and the simple but bumpin’ ‘Backyard,’ DBR wraps up nicely with a bow in the form of ‘Grey.’  Made for whoever in his audience may be tripping, Grey is a beautiful comedown.  Sounding like the best night of your summer with your friends, it’s as fun as it is beautiful.  Remaining gentle throughout while building to a lovely climax, while also serving as a tribute to Travis’ friend who ended up in prison.

‘Bacc’ is actually after ‘Grey,’ but is a bonus track for a reason.  Travis delivers a very strong verse sandwiched in between a fairly questionable hook.  It matches the aesthetic of the album but definitely doesn’t have much of a place outside of being an added bonus.

Though Travis Scott’s least polished of his four strongest projects, Days Before Rodeo easily matches the quality of the others.  A true predecessor to his ensuing LP’s, Travis forges his dark aesthetic while simultaneously innovating new forms of party tracks.  The album is as diverse as it is consistent, starting with a patient but hype flow, leading to a high energy third act, and wrapping itself up neatly.  As Travis continues to grow as an artist, Days Before Rodeo will only age better and better, a testament to the talent that he always had.  Days Before Rodeo gets a platinum for not only being outstanding, but for the fact that no other project sounds anything like it, not even from Travis himself.

Days Before Rodeo Rating: Platinum

Travis in the ‘Mamacita’ music video

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Jason Heilbronner | Twitter: @JasonHeilbronn1