After nearly five years of anticipation and delays, Playboi Carti, 28, has finally released his much-anticipated third studio album, MUSIC, on March 14. The album has already made waves, becoming the most-streamed album on Spotify in a single day for 2025. Featuring 30 tracks and a total runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes, the album showcases Carti’s signature vampiric rock style, alongside prominent voices in rap and an impressive lineup of producers.
The album opens with “POP OUT,” arguably the weakest track on the record. It seems designed to be enjoyed live at one of Carti’s mosh pit-filled shows. Although it stays true to his style, the track’s heavy bass and rage rap result in a chaotic two minutes and 41 seconds, setting the stage for the rest of the album.
The first of four collaborations with Travis Scott appears on “CRUSH.” Scott’s ad-libs fill the song, but he doesn’t rap a full verse. Carti’s rap doesn’t begin until two minutes in, and it’s the track’s church choir-like backdrop that keeps it interesting. Scott’s second appearance, on “PHILLY,” offers a smooth, catchy flow that mirrors his own style over a Texas trap beat.
Scott also features on “WAKE UP F1LTHY” and “CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE,” both lighthearted songs about wealth and sexual escapades. While both are catchy, they don’t particularly stand out on the album. Future’s verse on “CHARGE DEM HOES A FEE” further highlights Carti’s vocal cadence, which clearly takes influence from the Atlanta rapper.
This influence can also be heard on tracks like “TOXIC,” “WALK,” and “DIS 1 GOT IT,” where Carti channels the southern trap sound of Atlanta. On “LIKE WEEZY,” Carti pays tribute to Lil Wayne and New Orleans, sampling “Bend Over” by Atlanta’s Rich Kidz and referencing Wayne’s iconic “I Am Music” face tattoo.
Long-time Carti fans were hopeful for the return of the rap-rockstar duo Carti and Lil Uzi Vert on tracks like “JUMPIN” and “TWIN TRIM.” However, these songs fail to live up to the legendary “wokeuplikethis*” and feel more like a fun but underwhelming reunion.
Three of the album’s strongest tracks were released in 2024 on YouTube and Instagram, reducing the excitement for hearing them in their full context. “K POP,” originally released as “Ketamine,” now features dramatic production, video game-inspired synths, and a new title. “HBA” also made its debut on Instagram, and in this track, Carti reflects on his early career. Like “K POP,” it features heavy basslines and Carti’s classic flow.
“EVIL J0RDAN” also deserves mention, with a newly added, lengthy instrumental intro. This 2024 pre-release builds suspense before ending with a sample of “Popular” by The Weeknd, Carti, and Madonna. It leads into one of Carti’s strongest verses on the album.
Kendrick Lamar makes a surprising cameo on “MOJO JOJO,” contributing only ad-libs. Despite this, the collaboration works well, with Carti switching from his high-pitched, autotuned voice to a deeper, more distorted one, complementing Lamar’s subtle presence. Lamar also appears on “BACKD00R” and “GOOD CREDIT,” adding playful verses where he refers to Carti as his “evil twin.”
Overall, MUSIC is a loud, chaotic, and psychedelic album, with the potential to age well like Carti’s previous release, Whole Lotta Red. While there are moments where Carti showcases his evolving style, including fewer instances of his trademark baby voice, many tracks begin to blend together, making the album feel rushed and at times, underwhelming. With 30 tracks, the album inevitably contains both standout songs and misses. As a result, it receives a 5.5 out of 10.
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