Album Review: Kid Cudi - Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'

19 December 2016 | 5:37 pm | John Papadopoulos

"Kid Cudi is back to being Kid Cudi."

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2016 has been a whirlwind year for Kid Cudi.

After calling out Kanye West, Drake, and others by name in a bizarre Twitter rant, he checked into rehab, citing "depression and suicidal urges". He's since been released, but as people who suffer from depression know, there is no magic cure. "You can try to numb the pain, but it'll never go away", he sings on Swim In The Light. While expectations were low after last year's Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven, an ill-conceived foray into rock, Kid Cudi is back to being Kid Cudi. At 19 tracks, the project definitely could have used some editing, but like the man himself this is messy and complicated — but still utterly enthralling.