Kid Cudi’s ‘Free’ is a colorful, experimental ride full of highs and lows. It’s strange, liberating, and 100% Cudi.
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TOP 5
5. Grave
Kid Cudi was born to be a motivational speaker.
“Grave” is a bold and emotionally charged sonic journey that perfectly captures Kid Cudi’s signature balance of introspection and innovation. Blending everything from gentle guitar licks to vintage alternative rock vibes, the production is multilayered, infectious, and, at times, explosive.
Lyrically, “Grave” sees Cudi confronting his demons head-on. He raps and sings with frantic urgency, speaking on the devil trying to consume him, both metaphorically and emotionally. But rather than surrendering, he finds pockets of optimism, slowly shifting his tone from anguish to hope. There’s a subtle evolution in his delivery, going from haunted to gleeful by the song’s end, as if he’s convincing himself, and us, that the light at the end of the tunnel still exists.
Diddy is the Devil he’s referring to, right?
4. Deep Diving
Last time Cudi tried to take things further with a chick, dude tried to blow up his car. Dammit, man!
“Deep Dive” might be Kid Cudi’s most passionate effort on Free. In the track, he tells a love interest that he’s done holding back—he’s ready to go all the way, the exact opposite of what Jerry Jones is doing with the Cowboys right now. The lyrics strike a beautiful balance between vulnerability and intensity, while the gentle, piano-driven instrumental complements Cudi’s soothing vocals perfectly. The moving chorus ties it all together, making this one of the album’s most emotionally resonant tracks.
3. Opiate
I refuse to play this s**t in the telly, but it’s very tempting.
There are plenty of far-left cuts on this album, but “Opiate” might just be the leftest—we’re talking leftier than AOC. It’s a smooth, slow jam with a vintage Michael Jackson vibe, complete with a hook from Cudi that honestly sounds like something a boy band should be harmonizing on. Lyrically, he leans into tenderness, intimacy, and unfiltered vulnerability. The track is definitely weird—but it’s also one you get familiar vocals from Cudi.
2. Mr. Miracle
Can you imagine being so drunk that you don’t pick up God’s phone call?
“Mr. Miracle” is a striking departure sonically for Cudi, leaning into a pop-punk-inspired instrumental that blends electrifying guitar riffs with a hard-hitting breakdown. The sound feels cinematic, almost as if it were crafted to soundtrack a climactic movie moment with a busty blonde. Cudi has always had a knack for bending genres, but this track pushes him further into new sonic territory.
Lyrically, Cudi once again invites listeners into his world of resilience and healing. He reflects on dodging demons, overcoming storms, and carving out peace for himself. These are themes that have been woven throughout his career, but this time there’s a refreshing sense of clarity and liberation in his delivery. His vocal performance carries both vulnerability and confidence, creating a powerful balance.
The only person I call Mr. Miracle is Nikola Jokic when he hits those ridiculous-ass threes against the Lakers.
1. Neverland
I especially want immortality now that they have real sugar in Coke.
“Neverland” is such an intriguing way to kick off the album. The track thrives on a rebellious edge, blending a gritty rock instrumental with hints of trap. Kid Cudi, alongside a bratty-sounding kid who probably refuses to eat his vegetables, delivers an invigorating and carefree chorus designed to unlock listeners’ inner rebel. Between those bursts of energy, Cudi slips in more tender moments, reflecting on living in the present as if you’ll be with that one special person forever. The result is a track that feels intoxicating, defiant, and oddly heartfelt all at once.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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Check out the individual track ratings we gave—these are what we used to calculate the overall score!
RGM RATING
(79%)
I’ll keep it a complete stack with you: Kid Cudi is a hit or miss when it comes to albums. Sometimes, he’s a little too adventurous, and other times, he bends to current sounds in ways that don’t play to his strengths. With Free, Cudi takes things further left than expected, and that results in both highs and lows. The project is experimental, colorful, and very on-brand for him, but also uneven at times.
If you’re expecting hard-hitting tracks to bump in the whip, you’ll be caught off guard. Free thrives on alternative, rock-inspired, edgy, and vibrant instrumentals that sound like they could soundtrack a Nickelodeon fever dream. While these backdrops aren’t “bad,” they’re certainly unique, and Cudi is one of the few hip-hop-adjacent artists capable of pulling them off. Sometimes the fit is perfect, but other times it feels overwhelming, making the listening experience inconsistent—but still undeniably fun.
Lyrically, Cudi stays true to himself. The album is filled with themes of freedom, self-discovery, searching for love, and finding happiness in unlikely places. He bares his soul, just as he always has, and that willingness to be open remains his strongest quality. No matter the sonic experimentation, you can count on Kid Cudi to give you honesty and vulnerability, which makes even the strangest detours worth hearing.
What’s fascinating about Free is how little Cudi leans on his rapping or signature hums. Instead, he lets himself float in the vibes, sometimes inspirational, sometimes laughable, and other times just plain odd. But at the core, you can tell he’s genuinely happy and unchained. For fans like me, that’s enough. I’d rather see Cudi happy than boxed in, even if it means the album feels more like practice than perfection. Free is weird, liberating, and exactly what you’d expect from Kid Cudi at this stage in his journey.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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