Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon
by Kid Cudi
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Feb 25, 2014
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 108 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 108
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 108
  3. Negative: 13 out of 108

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  1. clem666
    Aug 13, 2020
    7
    If you understand just a little bit about Kid Cudi's life, journey and music, this album turns out to be really interesting. It appeared less than a year after 'Indicud', showing in this way all the changes Cudi made in his music. But 'Satellite Flight' was also a preparation for a big leap: the release of 'Speedin' Bullet to Heaven' who simply modified the whole pulbic of Kid Cudi.If you understand just a little bit about Kid Cudi's life, journey and music, this album turns out to be really interesting. It appeared less than a year after 'Indicud', showing in this way all the changes Cudi made in his music. But 'Satellite Flight' was also a preparation for a big leap: the release of 'Speedin' Bullet to Heaven' who simply modified the whole pulbic of Kid Cudi.
    Exploring deeper an experimental style based on his former 'WZRD' project, the artist is not afraid to deliver to us a very personal, unsettling and unexpected album. A lot of sounds and tracks easily evoke space and interstellar void in which Cudi is immersed. In this project he definitely laid the foundation of themes that will accompagny him for his next and controversial album, especically loneliness, meaningless contact with others and anxiety of constantly feeling misunderstood. 'Internal Bleeding' is a good example of a premonitory track of the sequel. In this way some tracks appear to be really poor both in form and substance for an album. Repetitivity in a few songs is one big default of this album. These are the main criticisms I can honestly attribute to Cudi's work in 'Satellite Flight'.
    Not everyone likes this album because it is the very first personal one of Cudi. We do not speak anymore about Cudi doing rap & hip-hop in his own style, but we discover Cudi and his real personality and music. All along the project he speaks and sings about himself and not anymore about what Kanye or other mainstream rappers taught him. Sorry to bother you but Cudi is working on his creativity out here. You can choose to support him, hoping something great will come out of him, or just let him down with your salty comments, hoping that 'Man on the Moon III' will come out before you die. I chose to follow him even though some of his instrumental tracks may be really painful and challenging to listen to all the way through. I chose to follow a real artsit making his own way, admitting his weaknesses and facing his very personal flaws and mistakes rather than subscribe to the work of a fake person who continually lies to himself and the world, hiding his true self in money and illusion of power. Long Live Cudi    … Expand
  2. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  3. Spangle
    Mar 5, 2014
    4
    “Son, what did you learn in school today?”

    “I learned to never buy another Kid Cudi album without giving it a listen beforehand, Mom.” Yes, fam, I bought this one without listening. Even with Indicud in the books, I trusted Cudi enough to make a 10 track album with quality tracks that made me say “Dat New Cudi doe”, but this did not do that. Instead, I was taken aback by the fact    “Son, what did you learn in school today?”

    “I learned to never buy another Kid Cudi album without giving it a listen beforehand, Mom.”

    Yes, fam, I bought this one without listening. Even with Indicud in the books, I trusted Cudi enough to make a 10 track album with quality tracks that made me say “Dat New Cudi doe”, but this did not do that. Instead, I was taken aback by the fact that one of my favorite artists was able to craft a 10 track album with considerable filler. Tracks like “Internal Bleeding” and “In My Dreams 2015” are shockingly included and serve as clear evidence that this was once an EP. The decision to extend this one into an album was extremely poor indeed and serve to show how Cudi’s decision making when it comes to his recent work has suffered. However, there is still hope for Man on the Moon III next year. Tracks like “Going to the Ceremony” show Cudi’s considerable talent and I can see myself adding that to my list of favorite Kid Cudi songs without question. In addition, a track such as “Troubled Boy” continues to prove to me that Cudi is a cocktease in recent years. He licks the tip but does not give you the full blowjob anymore (no homo). The singing on this track is impeccable, but it never reaches its full potential due to Cudi just not adding anything other than what I can only assume is the hook. Finally, his production is solid, I do like it, but please, ditch it for MOTM3 and hand over the keys to Emile, Plain Pat, and Dot da Genius.    … Expand
  4. geedup
    Mar 5, 2014
    3
    Not sure how, if you're a fan of hip hop, you can like this. Fortunetly hip hop has gone in many directions.But this synth/electronic mystic sound is NOT hip hop, nor did I like it. Kid Cudi is original and I dig his reach into new things. But there was NOTHING I liked on this CD. Nothing. Pass.....
  5. ben_zo77
    Jul 19, 2014
    8
    A concise introduction to the future Kid Cudi. I love and will always appreciate Cudi's experimental type of hip hop. This is a better project than Indicud was, and bodes well for his next album. The instrumentals got slightly repetitive if you weren't high. Balmain Jeans was nowhere near as good as people who don't regularly listen to Cudi would have you think. Best tracks were InternalA concise introduction to the future Kid Cudi. I love and will always appreciate Cudi's experimental type of hip hop. This is a better project than Indicud was, and bodes well for his next album. The instrumentals got slightly repetitive if you weren't high. Balmain Jeans was nowhere near as good as people who don't regularly listen to Cudi would have you think. Best tracks were Internal Bleeding and Troubled Boy. ~ 7.6/10… Expand
  6. Scooter4849
    Apr 23, 2014
    2
    Another complete disappointment for me here. As pretty much every work of his has been since his debut. His latest album Indicud was one of the worst albums of last year and this isn't much better.
  7. Teeb_
    Dec 15, 2022
    7
    This album is a short but enjoyable listen. I hardly see anyone talk about this album
  8. SaintPablo32
    Jun 4, 2021
    7
    There are production filled tracks with no vocals from Cudi that sound epic but add nothing to this EP. Other than that the tracks that do feature Scott showcases why he is among one of the best in Hip-Hop are extremely enjoyable.

    7/10 - Could have done without a few tracks
  9. Luckyluke93
    Mar 12, 2014
    8
    Good album, could be great but is too short and Internal Bleeding is just horrible. The intro is awesome, Balmain Jeans is terrific and Too Bad I Have To Destroy You is epic. Definitively a good album, not a masterpiece.
  10. michael801
    Oct 5, 2018
    8
    I really can’t see why people hate this. In my opinion is "SATELLITE FLIGHT" Cudi's best album after MOTM1 & 2.
    Fav tracks: "Balmain Jeans", "Going to the Ceremony", "To Bad I Have to Destroy You Now", "In My Dreams 2015"
    Least fav track: "Internal Bleeding"
  11. michaeljrmj
    Mar 24, 2015
    8
    I'm a person who invites experimental design into their catalog for a artist. With Cudi I feel as if he's on the deep edge of space. What I mean by that is he's finding relative tunes that some what correlate to his previous work and smashing it together with new features. He's been lacking substance since MOTMII I feel, this album is a reasonable successor to his spaceship ride though.
  12. anggy12002
    Mar 9, 2014
    3
    Calling this a hip hop album was a joke. This is straight up, sky high music. I put this album and thought I would give it like a 6. Then it got to track number 5, Balmain Jeans, and it was downhill from there. He sounds like a better punch line Lil Wayne on this, with none of the charisma, and his flow just isn't even there. The production puts me to sleep because there is just nothingCalling this a hip hop album was a joke. This is straight up, sky high music. I put this album and thought I would give it like a 6. Then it got to track number 5, Balmain Jeans, and it was downhill from there. He sounds like a better punch line Lil Wayne on this, with none of the charisma, and his flow just isn't even there. The production puts me to sleep because there is just nothing here. Kid Cudi has gone from being one of my favorite rappers with Man on the Moon: End of the Day, to being a watered down, boring joke of his old self. Cudi needs to take a break and listen to his first two albums and maybe even look back to 808s for MOTM3 or I assume it will end up being worse than this.… Expand
  13. gjv0923
    Feb 14, 2022
    7
    A rather shorter album from Kid Cudi, but overall this album gives a pretty good experience. Songs like Too Bad I Have to Destroy You Now, Balmain Jeans, and the title track are pretty big standouts in Cudi's discography. The other tracks are just okay for me, but these three really make the album.
  14. Ziscky
    Apr 22, 2014
    8
    Work of art.Here Kid cudi is being different with potential classics like Troubled boy and Too bad i have to destroy you.However the song Balmain Jeans has somewhat annoying lyrics.
  15. Breaklimbs
    Aug 19, 2015
    8
    Negative reviews are probably coming from the same people that can't stand to pimp a butterfly but are just dickriding. Gotta love the production and the lyrics.
    A big shout out to Cudi for being one of the reasons not to commit suicide. Can't wait for motm3.
    -breaklimbs
  16. Aaronn
    Dec 6, 2018
    9
    My third favorite Kid Cudi album behind the two Man on the Moon albums, and it looks like his most underrated as well. All in all a very enjoyable listen for any Cudi fan or any experimental Hip-Hop fan in general. Favorite tracks are Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now, Satellite Flight, and Internal Bleeding.
  17. micksyduck
    Mar 5, 2014
    8
    Kid Cudi is back. Or rather, The Man on the Moon is going back to his original habitat. I was never a fan of WZRD, but I kept respecting Kid Cudi for what he does and how he does it. Indicud was more my kind of thing, but Satellite Flight is literally Cudi's ascension to the Moon. The album is a preface for Man on the Moon III, and it prepares you splendidly for this adventure. Be sure toKid Cudi is back. Or rather, The Man on the Moon is going back to his original habitat. I was never a fan of WZRD, but I kept respecting Kid Cudi for what he does and how he does it. Indicud was more my kind of thing, but Satellite Flight is literally Cudi's ascension to the Moon. The album is a preface for Man on the Moon III, and it prepares you splendidly for this adventure. Be sure to check out Balmain Jeans!… Expand
  18. MajinBuu
    Apr 29, 2014
    6
    Not that experimental hip hop is bad, look at Death Grips, Milo, Captain Murphy, Childish Gambino, Old Cudi, and even SOME tracks on this album. Experimental hip hop is good, it can be a genre all on its own. But basing music that's experimental and nothing like it doesn't necessarily make it good. Like this album, about half the album was decent to good. Destination: Mother Moon does notNot that experimental hip hop is bad, look at Death Grips, Milo, Captain Murphy, Childish Gambino, Old Cudi, and even SOME tracks on this album. Experimental hip hop is good, it can be a genre all on its own. But basing music that's experimental and nothing like it doesn't necessarily make it good. Like this album, about half the album was decent to good. Destination: Mother Moon does not sound like any Kid Cudi song you've heard before. It's experimental and I'm digging the instrumental. Going to the Ceremony though has a MOTM 2/WZRD vibe and it's my favorite track off of this project. I've heard the song before Satellite Flight was released on hotnewhiphop and it shed light to the whole "Classic Cudi" coming back. SATELLITE FLIGHT is a track I can say I hate. The cheesy thunder beginning the track, the moaning of what he calls singing, the chorus is repetitive, basically the only lyrics to the whole song horrible track. Copernicus Landing seems like an Interlude, like a part 2 to Destination: Mother Moon and I'm loving the sci-fi sounds attatched to it. It's errie, chilling, but soothing and relaxing. Balmain Jeans has to be my second favorite track. His singing has a MOTM flow but the beat you can tell is not regular cudi. It's a slow, smooth, warm track that mimics classic cudi but still keeps his experimental side alive. Too Bad I Have To Destroy you know is another track that I can say I do not care much for. I'm not recognizing the flow, or the instrumental. It's different, and uncomfortable. But once he starts rapping, its what makes the song for me. The instrumental isnt overshadowed by his moaning (singing) anymore and they work together. The rest of the track I don't care for either. Internal Bleeding. This is the only track that I feel works with his singing, that's about it. In My Dreams 2015, feels like a part 3 to the intro and Copernicus Landing. But it reminds me of those Droid Smartphone commercials and the little beeps sound cheesy. But once those organs come into play, its like a whole new song. Again, it has an eerie, chilling but relaxing and soothing feel. I'm not too fond of this track, but I feel like the album needs this track, it just fits in really well. Now, for Return Of The Man On The Moon. I thought this track was going to either make it or break the album for me, using the words, The Man On The Moon. It starts off with horns, sounds cool and patriotic at first, then starts to get cheesy and repetitive. Then these muted drums or guitar strings come into play and just adds more time than needed. Then the guitar comes in, violins, and chellos and its A WHOLE DIFFERENT SONG. LIKE, THE SONG COULDVE JUST BEEN THIS PART, NOT THE HORNS, MUTED DRUMS, OR ANY OF THE FIRST 3 MINUTES. Last track, Troubled Boy. This track does not deserve to be on here, could've left off with Return of The Man On The Moon. My least favorite track. Unless Cudi can find a balance between experimental beats and classic cudi flows, MOTM 3 might be a flop. More songs like Going To The Ceremony, Copernicus Landing, Satellite Flight, Balmain Jeans, and Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now for MOTM 3.… Expand
  19. evanhawkes
    Mar 9, 2015
    8
    Satellite Flight is unique to modern hip-hop. It is futuristic sounding not only due to the theme of space travel, but also because it is a new direction in hip-hop. Kid Cudi is known for his individual style of music, and has applied the theme of space before. Two of his earlier albums, Man on the Moon, and Man on the Moon II were about loneliness and self-reliance and were closer toSatellite Flight is unique to modern hip-hop. It is futuristic sounding not only due to the theme of space travel, but also because it is a new direction in hip-hop. Kid Cudi is known for his individual style of music, and has applied the theme of space before. Two of his earlier albums, Man on the Moon, and Man on the Moon II were about loneliness and self-reliance and were closer to generic hip-hop. Then came Indicud, which did not use the space theme as much but was much more experimental. Satellite Flight is Kid Cudi's most experimental work so far. The music is made up of only synthesizers and some electric guitar, and of course, Kid Cudi's voice. To me and probably other people it's unlike anything heard before. The first time I listened to Satellite Flight, I thought the album was mediocre and some of the album's structure was awkwardly assembled. After I listened to it a few more times it started to grow on me and felt more organic. The songs are catchy, but not in the traditional way. The album is very melodic, featuring only one song with rapping in it: Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now. Many of the songs have long instrumental gaps between lyrics, and a few songs like Destination: Mother Moon, In My Dreams 2015, and Return of the Moon Man are completely instrumental. The song lyrics don't have the deepest meanings to them. But as far as originality and just making the songs sound different goes, I'd say Kid Cudi nailed it.… Expand
  20. themoneychain
    Dec 16, 2015
    0
    This is by far one of the worst albums I've ever had the displeasure of listening to. Kid Cudi is a talentless hack with a babyd1ck in music he should not make music ever again.It's basically, a scattered collective of track developed as an idea-driven album, but nothing ever fits.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. PopMatters
    Mar 25, 2014
    40
    Aside from these three songs [“Balmain Jeans,” “Going To the Ceremony,” and “Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now”], there’s little reason to listen to Satellite Flight. Only the biggest of Kid Cudi fans will be able to squeeze much enjoyment out of the remaining seven tracks here.
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  2. Rolling Stone
    Mar 25, 2014
    60
    Cudi's Satellite signal needs some descrambling, but his core cadets likely read him loud and clear.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Mar 18, 2014
    60
    To navigate successfully around a Kid Cudi album, then, is to get really good at squinting at the periphery.
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