Kids See Ghosts
by Kids See Ghosts
  • Record Label: G.O.O.D.
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2018
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 1165 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,052 out of 1165
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 1165
  3. Negative: 88 out of 1165
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  1. ChrisMiller35
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    Imagine if Ghost Town Part 1 was left on this record? It was be the best album since Frank Ocean's - Blonde.
  2. gustave154
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    Kid Cudi and Kanye West just proved that they are truly on of hip hop's best duo. Every track is a must listen and the album delivers in all levels. Best Album of The Year.
  3. supalaser
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    I was unsure what to expect going into this album considering Kid Cudi's latest work. While I was a huge fan of Kid Cudi in 2010 but since WZRD it has been a downward spiral. Kanye on the other hand has always delivered consistently great work and knows how to get the best out of a lot of artists especially Cudi (ex: Father Stretch my hands pt. 1 hook). The thing is Kanye and Cudi comeI was unsure what to expect going into this album considering Kid Cudi's latest work. While I was a huge fan of Kid Cudi in 2010 but since WZRD it has been a downward spiral. Kanye on the other hand has always delivered consistently great work and knows how to get the best out of a lot of artists especially Cudi (ex: Father Stretch my hands pt. 1 hook). The thing is Kanye and Cudi come together perfectly on every song here and despite it's short run time there is no shortage of incredible music, well thought out lyrics and different musical styles. One fear I had was that the ideas of the album wouldn't be fleshed out, but Daytona, Ye and Kids See Ghosts to their credit all get across big ideas in short run times.

    I think to many people this will feel like a Kid Cudi album featuring Kanye, and while I disagree I understand the sentiment. The reason I think this is truly a group album is the joint production, the joint vision, and Kanye's incredible verses. I am not sure who produced a majority of the album but Kanye's influence can definitely be felt.

    On the opening track Cudi's signature vocals ring and Pusha T delivers a monster verse. But the real stand out was Kanye's random gun sounds. At first I thought this was the worst thing since poop and scoop but it really fits the theme of the album as well as the energy of the song. After this craziness finally comes to end and you think the song is over, you hear him yell out in almost pure anger "Where's the chorus." And the energy of the song is suddenly back again. For such a short song it does a lot.

    The next song is fire. While probably my least favorite song on the album it's definitely still great. Kanye and Kid Cudi deliver really short but painful verses that are magnified by Kid Cudi's amazing hook. It's then followed up a beautiful outro guitar that might be the best moment on the whole album.

    4th dimension is probably my favorite song off of this album. Backed by an amazing sample that is unmistakabley the work of Kanye. It's the last painful song on the album and also the last short song (which is notable considering the ending sample). Kanye delivers an insane verse about sex which to many may seem out of place but Kanye fan's understand that he has been battleing with a sex and porn addiction for years. He has talked about it on MBDTF, Yeezus, Pable and Ye. So it makes sense in an album about their mental health issues he would bring up this addiction. Kid Cudi's verse is intro'd with these ghost noises which feels so MOTM2 (Man on the moon 2) and the verse itself feels like a throwback to 2010 as well.

    On Free you get a call out to ghost town off of Ye. Both songs obviously address the feelings of being free and my interpretation is that the knowledge of themselves they have gained through introspection on the first 3 track is what's giving them this feeling. While lyrically simple this track is still incredible.

    Reborn is the longest song on the album and for good reason. Intro'd by the signature kid cudi moans it leads right into the hook delivered by Kid Cudi. Straight forward and simple, it flows with the beat perfectly and is the catchiest hook on the album. Kanye delivers another great verse with his best flow so far on the album. I love the lines about wanting all the pain and the idea of flipping this into his amazing art. Kid Cudi delivers a solid verse as well and the outro is fairly lengthy but beautiful and relaxing the whole way out.

    Kids See ghosts features a great beat and is a change of pace from the slower reborn. The hook is amazing. Kanye gives a lengthy verse with maybe his best flow since MBDTF. Mos Def's verse/poem at the end really closes out and this feels like it could be the end of the story.
    But we are given one final track.

    Cudi montage starts out with this awesome guitar that I couldn't place myself but is apparently a sample from Kurt Cobain. Of note it's a post humous track and maybe the usage itself is alluding to what can happen when mental health isn't taken seriously. Kid Cudi and Kanye's verses both talked about cycles fears and pains they are trapped in (though Kanye's may not be himself directly affected). The hook is extremely simple being just some moans and "STAY STRONG" echo'd but it's really powerful considering the last line in Kid Cudi's verse, and Kanye's addition the hook in the latter half "God, shine your light (love) on me. Save me please."

    This album is phenomenal start to finish. Each song feels like a different musical style but every single song and style is executed well. I did not expect this to be anywhere near as great as it was and it will probably continue to be a favorite of mine for years to come.    … Expand
  4. jfrisby
    Jun 11, 2018
    10
    One of the most stunningly beautiful albums of this decade. Not to be missed.
  5. ronaldohero
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    Absolutely stunning! One of the best collabs in a while. I strongly suggest listening to this album at least twice before deciding on what you think of it.
  6. CassioSanfelice
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    This is a little gem. It’s not only the best album of surgical summer (yes, I put it above DAYTONA), Kids See Ghosts it’s the best depression-fighting, spiritual-searching hip hop album ever. The album of the year, no doubt.
  7. maxxing
    Jun 13, 2018
    10
    Kanye and Cudi share the spotlight and divide up their skills to create something new. These are two men with demons weighing heavy on their shoulders, and this album feels like a piece of heaven they've crafted here on Earth.
  8. quinten488
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    This is the first album EVER where I loved every single song, with Reborn being my favorite. Cudi & Kanye make a great team.
  9. Fruit_Dragon
    Aug 9, 2018
    10
    An album that drives you to listen to it the more you even think about it, Kids See Ghosts is a phenomenal work of art. Tight production, scarily sharp vocals from Kid Cudi and Kanye, and critically woven samples drive this album to contend for album of the year.
  10. TrentRey
    Jun 8, 2018
    10
    A very great album with solid beats, lyrics, and tracks. This is a very good collaboration album but it sounds more like a Kid Cudi album. 4th Dimension (feat. Louis Prima) is a great intro track to the album. The song has uncredited vocals from Pusha T.

    All of the tracks are very well produced. None of them felt rushed like some tracks on Ye. The only real issue with this album is the    A very great album with solid beats, lyrics, and tracks. This is a very good collaboration album but it sounds more like a Kid Cudi album. 4th Dimension (feat. Louis Prima) is a great intro track to the album. The song has uncredited vocals from Pusha T.

    All of the tracks are very well produced. None of them felt rushed like some tracks on Ye. The only real issue with this album is the length.

    Even though the lengh is about the same as Ye and Daytona, it felt much shorter. This album is easier to listen to. This is the more radio-friendly album.

    I can see all seven tracks on this album being Top 100 on the billboard and also, I feel like this album would be a safe pick to get nominated for a Grammy. It's more of a pop-rap album.

    Even though Ye is on the album, you might leave the album feeling like it's a Cudi album rather than a collaboration album. The only song that truly feels like a collaboration song is Ghost Town, part 2.

    I give this album a light 8. I suggest adding this album to a playlist with the album Ye and listen to them as one album. If you're a Cudi fan, then you'll enjoy this album a lot. This project sounds similar to Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'.    … Expand
  11. Agent7300
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    this album is **** dope. best album ive heard this summer since "Ye"

    kanye has never dropped something that isnt a classic
  12. imdajudgem8
    Jun 10, 2018
    10
    Really well done, production is great, lyrics are great, vibes are great, KIDS SEE GHOST!
  13. brianjoseph98
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    Not a single song is skipped on this masterpiece. I actually like this better than ye; it does not feel rushed. It is absolutely incredible. Listen to ye and then this and you will see what I mean. It is extremely well done. Perfect summer album. The opening track goes HARD. Well worth the listen.
  14. nikoziko
    Oct 6, 2018
    10
    this is one of the best albums of the year the production is amazing and artistic and atmospheric the sampling fantastic not a single track was less then good on this i also think kanye and cudi bring a lot of energy and they have great performances in here not a single kanye verse was less then good i didn't expect this to be even better then ye but it is
  15. CrazyFilmLover
    Jun 11, 2018
    10
    What a great mix of the ghoulish and the spiritual. Grunge-y guitar samples, psychedelic feels, a mash of Kanye's out of control-ness and Kid Cudi's low-key moodiness all contained in some great verses, voices and sounds whilst still bringing out an essence of hope makes this a 10. Listen to the music friends.
  16. GwentPlayer
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    I love you, Kanye! I love you, Kudi! This is album of the year! Right here, right now! It's amazing, so amazing, i can't believe it!
  17. andyfreire1717
    Jun 9, 2018
    10
    A fantastic album. The interchange between this two artists have been the most awaited thing on this planet for 9 years. This is a carve on a stone in the history of humanity.
  18. review2
    Jun 11, 2018
    10
    Kids See Ghosts is Cudi's best work since Man On The Moon, Kanye's best work since Yeezus, and one of the best albums of the year in general. The album's concise at only 23 minutes but in just 7 tracks incorporates ideas from various musical genres, diverse samples, great featured work from Pusha T/Ty Dolla $ign/King Louie and discusses mental health, growth, violent crime, and where YeKids See Ghosts is Cudi's best work since Man On The Moon, Kanye's best work since Yeezus, and one of the best albums of the year in general. The album's concise at only 23 minutes but in just 7 tracks incorporates ideas from various musical genres, diverse samples, great featured work from Pusha T/Ty Dolla $ign/King Louie and discusses mental health, growth, violent crime, and where Ye and Cudi are at right now in their lives. An album that both addresses important issues and is incredible musically as well, feel justified giving this one a perfect score.… Expand
  19. Coolassdude101
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    Kanye and Cudi send you on a psychedelic journey of facing your demons and finding redemption in this 23 minute masterpiece.
  20. vaggelis
    Jun 11, 2018
    10
    Incredible return for Kanye with 2 masterpieces in a row. Amazing collaboration with Kudi, once again pushing the boundaries in music, production and lyrics.
  21. tljacks
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    3 for 3 ... Kanye's improving on the legacy. I'm excited hear the rest of the surgical summer releases
  22. edulikapuma
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Honestly we aren’t worthy of this record, it's too good. Reborn, Cudi Montage etc... they're all still haunting my mind. This album pushes music into a whole new direction bringing together such a wide range of genres and making them sound so immersive, atmospheric and unique. Infectious hooks, strong and clever bars, thrilling psychedelic but graceful production... It's the first of it'sHonestly we aren’t worthy of this record, it's too good. Reborn, Cudi Montage etc... they're all still haunting my mind. This album pushes music into a whole new direction bringing together such a wide range of genres and making them sound so immersive, atmospheric and unique. Infectious hooks, strong and clever bars, thrilling psychedelic but graceful production... It's the first of it's kind, proving that Kanye is still one of the top inventors of the game and the most gifted hip-hop artist of all time. AOTY… Expand
  23. TheReviewer24
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    This album is a wonderful blend of many different genres. Hip hop, psychedelic rock, and experimental music all clash together in an album that lives in its own chaos. The 7 tracks swing from emotion to emotion with no warning. From the wild snares and "BRAAAP" ad-libs on Feel the Love to the somber melody that hangs in the background of Reborn. Kanye produces the entire tracklist andThis album is a wonderful blend of many different genres. Hip hop, psychedelic rock, and experimental music all clash together in an album that lives in its own chaos. The 7 tracks swing from emotion to emotion with no warning. From the wild snares and "BRAAAP" ad-libs on Feel the Love to the somber melody that hangs in the background of Reborn. Kanye produces the entire tracklist and there is not one dull moment in the tracklisting. Kids See Ghosts is Kanye's most polished and best-executed attempt at forward thinking and experimental production. The beats are absolutely nuts and the performances match it on every level. The only gripe I have with this album is that I wanted more tracks. 10/10… Expand
  24. jimiiagboola
    Jun 12, 2018
    10
    KIDS SEE GHOSTS is one of the best albums of the past year and if not even the past decade. This is Hp Hop like you've never heard before, it feels like the opening of a door of music into a new Dimension. All the different genres mixed into this thing to make something so had to classify and never heard of before.

    Kid Cudi truly shines in this album sounding better than he has ever had    KIDS SEE GHOSTS is one of the best albums of the past year and if not even the past decade. This is Hp Hop like you've never heard before, it feels like the opening of a door of music into a new Dimension. All the different genres mixed into this thing to make something so had to classify and never heard of before.

    Kid Cudi truly shines in this album sounding better than he has ever had in years, Kanye is raping better that he has in years to. This Album almost feels like a Gift from Kanye to Kudi. The production by Kanye is so powerful, he has created a space for Kudi to truly shine, This is tee house that Kanye built and Kid Cudi is living in it.    … Expand
  25. ConyeWest
    Jun 23, 2018
    10
    Kids See Ghost is one of the greatest collaborations of all time. Knaye and Kid Cudi are at their peak as a duo here. My only hope is this isn't the last we see of the Duo
  26. StealthyHipo200
    Aug 25, 2018
    10
    Absolutely mesmerizing and a pleasure to listen to. At first the short length may be viewed as a negative but it really makes this an incredibly accessible and quality album with absolutely no fluff. Can't wait to see where Kids See Ghosts goes next
  27. FromKanga
    Aug 6, 2018
    10
    Fantastic, every single track is an absolute masterpiece, this is for now my album of the year.
  28. kentiasview
    Jun 10, 2018
    10
    This album is so addicting, the production flawless and Kanye sounds better than ever. Shoutout ktt, safe I love u
  29. 260zay
    Sep 29, 2018
    10
    Production is off the scale. a perfect blend of psychedelic rap/rock fusion that i Have never heard before. There is something twisted yet futuristic about this whole experience. This is an opus that both artists should be proud of. They pulled the best out of each other as artists and left no stone unturned. Perfection.
  30. DrBlahBlah
    Jun 22, 2018
    10
    Goddamn is this album good. Refreshingly short, powerful, varied, and original, this is as good as rap gets. Right up there with Kendrick and the best of Kanye.
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Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best Album of 2018
10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2018
44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. The Wire
    Jul 26, 2018
    80
    There’s a beguiling modesty to tracks such as “Fire” and “4th Dimension”, while Yasiin Bey’s understated sprechgesang advising “Kids see ghosts sometimes” on the title track feels plausible, immanent, urgent. [Aug 2018, p.63]
  2. PopMatters
    Jun 20, 2018
    90
    Kids See Ghosts will be remembered as the climax and most enduring record of Ye Season, one that keeps giving with each and every replay.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    Jun 18, 2018
    75
    The controlled chaos of the record is proof that somewhere beneath all of the public outbursts and musical misfires, Kanye West--not the old Kanye--but the actual man and his heart are still somewhere in the mix planning to raise the bar and occasionally executing to near flawless result.
    Read full review
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