The Earvin Edit

Finally, after five years and some change of anticipation, Playboi Carti’s long-awaited MUSIC is here. Now, let’s immerse ourselves in this new sound and explore what the album has to offer.

Written by Earvin Adjei

It’s been months since Playboi Carti released his highly anticipated third studio album, I AM MUSIC. In classic Carti fashion, I waited until the last possible moment to share my thoughts on an album that dropped over three months ago. I wanted to take the time to truly absorb the music and formulate a thoughtful, honest opinion. Without further ado, let’s dive into I AM MUSIC.

The Good:

SWAMP IZZO! Some listeners have complained that Swamp Izzo had too much of a presence on I AM MUSIC, but I personally enjoyed his contributions. His signature ad-libs add flare and energy to several tracks, helping emphasize the raw chaos and rage that defines Carti’s sound. Imagine how empty a song like “CRANK” would feel without Izzo yelling “ALIVE!” and “AH!” in the background — he doesn’t just complement the music, he fuels it.

Building on the rage sound he introduced with Whole Lotta Red, Carti makes it clear from the opening track that he’s not just repeating the formula — he’s refining it. His newer, deeper vocal delivery meshes seamlessly with the abrasive, high-energy production, making it feel like he’s finally mastered the chaotic sound he helped popularize.

The production on I AM MUSIC is one of its standout strengths. Carti balances rage, trap, and hyperpop elements effortlessly, with sharp, inventive sampling woven throughout. One highlight is COCAINE NOSE, which flips Ashanti’s 2004 hit “Only U” into something darker and more aggressive — a bold and clever reimagining. Carti reunites with longtime collaborators like F1lthy and Cardo, yet the sound never grows stale. Each beat brings something fresh, and the variety of instrumentals keeps the energy high from start to finish.

The Bad:

30 songs is… well, a bit much. While some tracks hit, others feel like filler — making the project feel more like a shuffled playlist than a cohesive album. It’s easy for certain songs to fade into the background, sounding like leftover cuts Carti had been sitting on for years. Take PHILLY, WE NEED ALL DA VIBES, and TWIN TRIM: all three feel oddly out of place. PHILLY plays more like a Travis Scott single, with his melodic hook defining the song while Carti fades into the background. On WE NEED ALL DA VIBES, Carti barely appears — his voice vanishes after a brief intro, leaving Young Thug and Ty Dolla $ign to carry the track. TWIN TRIM is essentially a Lil Uzi interlude, matching the upbeat energy of WE NEED ALL DA VIBES but similarly feeling disconnected from the album’s core. These tracks, while enjoyable on their own, dilute the album’s identity.

While Carti’s deep voice experimentation is one of the album’s highlights, it occasionally backfires. At times, his delivery edges so close to Future’s that it’s hard to distinguish the two. This was an issue fans pointed out when he released his single ALL RED in September of 2024. The gravelly tone may add variety, but they sometimes blur Carti’s identity — a surprising turn for an artist known for such a distinct vocal presence.

One of the more surprising discussions surrounding I AM MUSIC is the speculation about Carti’s use of artificial intelligence. Some fans have questioned whether his vocals on tracks like RATHER LIE were authentic or generated using AI, citing the unnatural tone and cadence. Comparisons have even been made to Timeless, his previous collaboration with The Weeknd, which also featured similarly eerie, distorted vocals. While there’s no definitive proof to support these claims, Carti has reportedly denied using AI on the album.

Playboi Carti’s music isn’t known for its lyrical depth, but it would have been refreshing to hear him explore more personal themes on I AM MUSIC. Carti has experienced significant moments in his life recently — from his split with Iggy Azalea and the birth of his two children to multiple encounters with law enforcement and the mixed reception to Whole Lotta Red. Delving into these topics could have added a new emotional layer to the album and shown growth beyond his rage sound.

Final Verdict:

So… was it worth the five-year wait? Yes and no. It’s refreshing to finally hear new Carti music, but after all that time, you’d hope the album wouldn’t suffer from issues like poor mixing, filler tracks, and a bloated tracklist. Still, even with those flaws, I AM MUSIC is undeniably fun. Was it perfect? Not at all. But enjoyable? Absolutely. All in all, Playboi Carti delivers another solid addition to his already unique discography. Put a gun to the back of my head, and I’d say… it’s pretty mid. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s great replay value — just way too many songs for it to feel like a true album. 3.5 out of 5 stars.