Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight
by Travis Scott
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Sep 2, 2016
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. XXL
    Sep 14, 2016
    80
    Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight is a roller coaster ride of an experience, with an endless amount of highlights, whether it be an indelible hook here or timely guest verse there.
  2. HipHopDX
    Sep 16, 2016
    78
    There isn’t a ton of lyrical progression for La Flame on this album. ... But he soothing digitized finish and woven through the most polished contemporary drums in Hip Hop, it’s truly hard to hate. That puzzling beauty is the best part about Scott’s music.
  3. Pitchfork
    Sep 14, 2016
    72
    Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight escapes as Travis Scott’s best work yet: a combination of elevated significance, self-awareness, and the old trick of spinning something so plain into something so luxurious.
  5. Clash Music
    Sep 21, 2016
    70
    While Scott might spend the 14 tracks telling us how incoherent he is, Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight is anything but.
  6. AllMusic
    Dec 12, 2016
    60
    Swarming basslines and sluggish beats likewise form the rhythmic foundation, with gauzy and tickling keyboards adding sweetness to Scott's hedonistic hooks. Only on "Guidance," through scuttling drums granted by DF, is there a significant shake-up.
  7. Exclaim
    Sep 14, 2016
    60
    Scott's hedonistic lyrics about sex and drugs remain awfully vapid for what's been billed as a trap masterpiece (the utterly banal "SDP Interlude" takes the cake). ... Scott's strength, of course, continues to lie in his ear for beats, with part of his appeal being his ability to make songs with less than rewarding subject matter still sound cool.
  8. PopMatters
    Sep 14, 2016
    50
    The results here are highly mixed, and he might simply be the kind of artist who should take more time on his releases, even if that extra time isn’t completely his choice.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 14, 2016
    30
    Birds’s stripped-down approach bares an utter lack of finesse behind a microphone.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2016
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 272 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 226 out of 272
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 272
  3. Negative: 12 out of 272
  1. jankonrad
    Sep 15, 2016
    8
    Birds heads in a complete different direction than Rodeo, going more for the dark and gritty trap sound with plenty of bangers and anthemsBirds heads in a complete different direction than Rodeo, going more for the dark and gritty trap sound with plenty of bangers and anthems (e.g. Through the late night, Goosebumps). Many tracks on this album are heavy on synths and fast-paced (e.g. sweet sweet, the ends) and effective in what they want to achieve: to make the listener hyped and have a good time. SDP is a beautiful interlude with exceptional production, like all tracks on the album.
    Lyrically, there isn't really that much to this album except the reoccurring themes "drugs, woman, alcohol", but that didn't really hurt my listening experience. And of course you have to accept the heavy use of auto-tune which is used in a very effective and enjoyable way in my opinion.
    Only three tracks I didn't enjoy as much as the rest: Lose, First take, guidance.
    All in all a very good album, Travis didn't let us down!    … Full Review »
  2. suhrke
    Sep 23, 2016
    10
    I can't believe how good this album actually is, the beats are on a level I haven't seen since TLOP and perfect mixture between turn up partyI can't believe how good this album actually is, the beats are on a level I haven't seen since TLOP and perfect mixture between turn up party songs, and more personal and social influential tracks.
    The way he creates a track using only 6 words in the entire song and it's still super heavy and the collabs with cudi, cassie, nav, kendrick are amazing.

    10/10    … Full Review »
  3. volynsal
    Sep 16, 2016
    9
    One of the best albums to turn up to. Hype was justified, strong AOTY prospect.

    Highlights: the ends, way back, through the late night,    One of the best albums to turn up to. Hype was justified, strong AOTY prospect.

    Highlights: the ends, way back, through the late night, goosebumps, wonderful    … Full Review »
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