HEROES & VILLAINS is a moody, superhero-esque, atmospheric album produced by award-winning producer Metro Boomin.
Heroes & Villains is American record producer Metro Boomin’s sophomore album, which features multiple performances from Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and Future.
One thing I love about media is the kinds that leave such an impact that I remember exactly where I was when each different piece was released. Like SZA’s last LP, “SOS”. I remember staying up until midnight on that day, being the top 10% of listeners (according to my Spotify Wrapped last year). Or when The Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All At Once first came out. I remember how spiritually moved I was when I left that theater, as well as watching all the love & accolades pour in for that movie to this day.
These pieces of media mean a lot to me. So does this album.
I recently picked this up at Newbury Comics in Crossgates, which originally prompted this review. Seeing it in vinyl form brought me back to when this album was first released a little over a year ago.
The album cover pays homage to Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”. However, this is only the surface of the pure genius and art of this LP. This album is such a great piece. From the production to the rap performances to the story it tells – it is the perfect album in my eyes.
Travis Scott, of course, stands out among the tracklist for his smooth vocals and bleak melodies. I can’t say that I was always a huge fan of Travis Scott’s use of autotune. I remember when I was young I was repulsed by his excessive use of it on ‘Antidote’. However, I grew to like the song with time.
This was not the case for his verses on this album, however. ‘Trance’ is one of my favorite songs on the album. Travis delivers such dark and gloomy lyrics over Metro’s moody instrumentals, and this isn’t exclusive to this song. The same could be said about “Too Many Nights” with Don Toliver and Future, or “Around Me” with Don Toliver.
All of these tracks have such a moody atmosphere that reflects the trilogy that this album is a part of. Metro is no stranger to sinister trap beats, and with this LP being the second installment of the “Heroes” trilogy, it’s only right that Metro expands on that atmosphere he “originally” introduced on his debut studio album “NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES”. He produces some of his most polished and menacing beats to date, and this is another aspect of this album that I think matters deeply.
Another thing I loved about this album was the rollout. It was so creative. Metro brings esteemed actor Morgan Freeman along to voice harrowing monologues on multiple tracks, like my personal favorite “Around Me”. Not only this, but he also voiced and appeared in some of the promotional videos on Metro Boomin’s YouTube. Morgan Freeman is such a treasure, and I will support him in anything he is in.
Freeman has such an eerie way with his words on this album. His monologues are very philosophical and foreboding, and he doesn’t let up at all during the album.
My favorite tracks, besides “Around Me” and “Trance”, are “Creepin” and “Raindrops (Insane)”. There are many reasons that these tracks stand out for me, I could go on for hours.
This album is perfect for the winter season. The album is cinematic and comforting and sinister, perfect for those late nights. I recommend this album to every human being on this planet. Simply put, I think that there is so much more to this album than just the music alone. It’s a cool experience, the emotion and atmosphere that Metro translates to sound on this album will be studied in the history books. I rate this album a 9 out of 10.