Travis Scott’s new collective album, JackBoys 2, which released this fall. attempted to rekindle the fire of his 2019 project, JackBoys, but he ultimately fails to do so. Travis Scott, known for his influential work in modern trap and hip hop, once again gathers the artists from his Cactus Jack label. These include Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, and SoFaygo, along with newcomers like Wally the Sensei. They all perform on the album, which is billed as a showcase of sorts for the label’s range. Yet, JackBoys 2 seems to have lost the spark that had characterized the first project. The original JackBoys project set the bar higher than he was prepared for. JackBoys 2 has more features and a longer track list than its predecessor, but JackBoys feels more like a complete work that could make a real statement.
Numerous songs seem like unused ideas from Scott’s solo projects or filler material from the guests. “Champagne and Vacay” and “2000 Excursion” open the record with promise but soon lose focus. The production is usually a standout strength in Travis Scott’s music, but here it sounds inconsistent, alternating between overly polished and strangely empty. “Champagne and Vacay” features not only mismatched ad-libs but also oddly placed transitions. Additionally, “2000 Excursion” drifts without much lyrical or musical direction.
Even the guest spots disappoint. Big names like 21 Savage, Playboi Carti, and Future show up but contribute little of substance. Their verses and ad-libs fail to inject any excitement or variety into the project. Don Toliver remains the album’s most dependent individual, offering smooth hooks and powerful vocals. But even his performances can’t mask the creativity deficit permeating the rest of the tracklist.
Every so often, there are bright spots like “Shine,” in which Scott and the up-and-coming artist, Glow, trade verses with an apparent chemistry, and the production momentarily feels vital. But such instances are few and far between, and the album soon enough settles back into its dull, monotonous groove.
In general, JackBoys 2 is an example of failed potential. With Travis Scott exerting his creative power and being in contact with some of the most gifted young artists in hiphop, this could have been a marvelous display of fresh sounds and exciting collaborations, but it seems more like a loose collection of leftovers. There are a few catchy moments that listeners can appreciate, but this album doesn’t have the thrill, the focus, or the innovation that made earlier Travis Scott projects so impactful.
Final Verdict: JackBoys 2 battles with its identity, showing few signs of the potential that are stuck underneath its inconsistent production and lackluster vocals.
