Free at Last: Kid Cudi’s Leap Into Pop

Contributed by Konstantina Buhalis

Revisions by LJ Portnoy, Editor-in-Chief

Kid Cudi shot by Norman Jean Roy (@normanjeanroy on IG)

Kid Cudi’s legacy extends to the 2010s, when his hit track “Day n’ Night” first premiered in 2009 (we all remember the DirecTV commercial that used the song on the Help channel). Since then, Kid Cudi has become a household name, releasing music and starring in films like X and Happy Gilmore 2.

Most recently, though, Cudi has dropped a new album, Free (Wicked Awesome, Republic), his eleventh studio album and his debut in the pop sphere—giving us the record of the late summer.

Kid Cudi's Freedom to Be a Pop Star

While Cudi cut his teeth as a hip-hop artist, his newest full-length album is a pop record featuring the talent of Ryland Blackinton (Cobra Starship), among other producers, to create a sound that reflects on the joy and happiness of Cudi’s life over the last few years after extended periods of depression and anxiety. His style has evolved in countless ways, and most recently he’s stepped further into multimedia artistry, partnering with director Ti West to create a short film alongside the single “Neverland.” Even while he’s spent time in the cinema spotlight, he’s curated a new sound that both entices longtime listeners and reintroduces him to younger fans who may primarily know him for his film credits.

Mr. Rager to Mr. Miracle

Kid Cudi photographed by Aldo Chacon (@thealdochacon on IG)

How times have changed. As we all grow and shift, so too has Cudi—transforming his persona from Mr. Rager, the edgy, pessimistic, self-destructive force of his earlier work, to Mr. Miracle, upbeat, optimistic, and motivational. The titles say it all, but listening to this album is its own experience—emotional and thought-provoking. With his pop debut, Cudi shows his range through melodic, almost hummed vocals that float within darker pop arrangements. “Echoes of the Present” leans on piano to create a melancholic opener, while “Neverland” blends acoustic guitar with trap beats, a clear nod to his earlier sound. Across the record, trap rhythms hold things together, but Free keeps slipping into darker pop textures, with electronic layers especially prominent on “Truman Show.” Closer “Salt Water” takes us to new heights with ethereal piano and steel drums that feel like being blinded by sunlight on a beach—closing the record on a dreamy, hopeful note.

The Art of Reflection

Cudi has always been forthcoming in his music, unafraid to show honesty and pain. With Free, he’s let himself sink into joy and embraced the light. It’s a departure from much of his previous work, but it’s also a realistic vision of hope in the face of uncertainty—an album that feels less like a reinvention and more like a next chapter.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Featured Tracks:

1. Mr. Miracle

2. Truman Show

3. Salt Water