An original outlaw, infamous iconoclast, and perpetual performer, Willie Nelson is to music what Clint Eastwood is to the movies; a proverbial cowboy traversing the ambiguous plains of post-modern culture and art. Through the combination of his countercultural persona and his deviation from mainstream Nashville country, he has become an American institution. With a staggering 99 studio albums, a generational songwriting resume, and unprecedented longevity, Willie Nelson is a mainstay in both the music industry and society’s collective consciousness.

*from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Inductee Insights Series

It’s a clash of perspectives; a never-ending journey; an illustration of rebirth. Scott has continued to shift his sound in pursuit of absolute creativity ever since Owl Pharaoh, and it appears to have all led to here. He’s given us a look into his pure self, and it’s something worth beholding.

UTOPIA is an astonishing development and lies in a sector of high art that is unheard of for most mainstream rappers. The combination of strong features, impeccable production, and poetic lyricism offers the listener an otherworldly experience, opening one eye to the enormous superstructure that is Travis Scott, and the other to its inner scaffolding. We see a new side of Scott that hasn’t just changed, but has allowed all of his experiences as an artist to culminate into a fiery, glorious magnum opus.

*from Kind of Consistent’s blog portal

Nothing is more annoying than when your favorite artist decides to shake it up a little to adapt to whatever’s on the radio. Other than the black sheep that is “Stadium Arcadium,” this never worked for the Peppers.

On top of that, they’ve experienced a few membership changes. Any time a band loses a member, the replacement — while maybe just as great as the original — is never the same. This is especially the case for lead guitarist John Frusciante. He’s taken multiple hiatuses from the group, and it seems that everytime he does, new struggles arise.

Enter “Unlimited Love.” The return of the prodigal son that is Frusciante after a 16-year hiatus. The re-emergence of their classic sound. The ode to the group’s camaraderie.

All of this comes together to form a fun, lively journey into their signature, satisfying their old fans while providing a great example of their best work for new listeners.

*from The Miami Student