Kid Cudi is on a whirlwind of activity, making mid-2000s Future seem like Frank Ocean in comparison. Just weeks following the drop of his ninth album, INSANO, he’s back with what he dubs a “continuation” titled INSANO (NITRO MEGA).This isn’t just your typical deluxe edition with a handful of extra tracks; NITRO MEGA spans a whopping 18 tracks and serves as a glimpse into what the original album could have been.

In contrast to the trap-infused sounds of his collaborator Travis Scott, NITRO MEGA sees Cudi diving deep into his own sonic realm—a fusion of his melancholic vocals with futuristic beats drawing from a myriad of influences. His collaboration with Pusha T on “EVERYBODY LIKE” is a prime example of this experimental fusion, blending raging distorted guitars with a boom bap beat, reminiscent of the trippy vibes that garnered Cudi his dedicated stoner fanbase while maintaining respect within Hip Hop circles. Tracks like “All My Life” harken back to the Cudi of the late 2000s, as he opts for soulful singing over rapping, delving into themes of loneliness and existentialism that resonate deeply with his audience. However, not every experiment on the album hits the mark. “WILLIS” ventures into excessively drugged-out territory, stretching for over four painful minutes and feeling more like an aimless interlude than a coherent song.

Similarly, “ELECTROWAVE BABY 2.0,” produced by Steve Aoki, feels like background music waiting for a Fast and Furious scene, with Cudi struggling to find his footing on its generic dance beat—a failed experiment in need of recognition. Despite its lengthy runtime, the album picks up momentum towards the end, culminating in the dramatic “Superboy,” which channels the ethereal essence of Cudi’s earlier work, albeit lacking the thematic depth of classics like “GHOST!” from Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager. Reflecting on both projects—a combined total of 39 tracks—it’s evident that tighter discipline could have resulted in a more cohesive and impactful single album. While INSANO showcased Cudi in a celebratory mood, NITRO MEGA offers more introspective moments but also carries the weight of leftover tracks that didn’t quite make the cut for the initial release.