JACKBOYS [EP]
by Travis Scott
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Dec 27, 2019
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 109 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 109
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 109
  3. Negative: 12 out of 109
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  1. soundmate
    Apr 12, 2020
    4
    Before starting reviewing this album, I am gonna explain why I am here since the music I consume is mainly pop, alternative or independent music. Well, I am here because I feel like we all should listen to different genres, try consuming new music and start appreciating other ways to transmit your feelings through this artistic expression. You can't (or shouldn't) ever criticise anythingBefore starting reviewing this album, I am gonna explain why I am here since the music I consume is mainly pop, alternative or independent music. Well, I am here because I feel like we all should listen to different genres, try consuming new music and start appreciating other ways to transmit your feelings through this artistic expression. You can't (or shouldn't) ever criticise anything if you haven't at least tried it. We, as human beings, have an irrational fear of the unknown, which we are able to end but don't want to sometimes. Just joking, I am here in defense of Rosalía.
    Spanish singer Rosalía introduced me Scott's new musical project, which I wouldn't have given a listen to if she hadn't remixed the rapper's number one hit "Highest In the Room". Thus, I listened to the song and therefore, the whole album. I can definitely see that this mixtape has a glitché 2020 electronic hip-hop atmosphere which would have been very innovative if the rapper himself hadn't already released a bunch of songs that sound exactly the same. But let's be real: in the music industry, male artists can do whatever they want while female singers must reinvent themselves and try to change the game constantly. See so, male artists like Scott are allowed to repeat the musical formula used in their respective previous records. He could have made an effort to change his repertoire but he stuck to the same old stuff. I just wanted to see a little bit of evolution.
    To sum up, "Jackboys" is a characteristic/typical American glitch-pop Travis Scott collaboration mixtape that has dragged all the collaborators to the rapper's monotone territory; a territory dominated by no-sense lyrics (including Rosalía's, God save me), basic composition and cohesive but sometimes scratchy-boring repetitive sound.    … Expand
  2. clem666
    Jan 11, 2021
    4
    A 20-minute project just to showcase artists under the protection of the recently become superstar Travis Scott smelling just like a sequel of the amazing 'Astroworld' album. The only thing that differs from Travis' last album is the will to remain in a classic and effortless path. Nothing really original but this mysterious chemistry between all these artists. Production remains deeplyA 20-minute project just to showcase artists under the protection of the recently become superstar Travis Scott smelling just like a sequel of the amazing 'Astroworld' album. The only thing that differs from Travis' last album is the will to remain in a classic and effortless path. Nothing really original but this mysterious chemistry between all these artists. Production remains deeply interesting but once you understood that you somehow saw and heard everything about the Jackboys' album. All this is is just some pre-heated tracks and flows. It feels like even Travis didn't do his best on this. Don Toliver comes right after him and appears to be the most highlighted singer of this EP. I read some people underline the performance of Pop Smoke but according to me he is just doing his usual work on an usual Pop Smoke track.

    There are two samples including one which is horrible: I'm speaking about the 'Summer' sample (from Jay-Z & Beyoncé, The Carters) on 'Had Enough'. So bad it almost is a crime. It is totally obvious and misused.

    The only thing avoiding this EP to be part of the most generic ones is to feature and federate an impressive number of fellow artists all along. Seriously think about it. That makes a count of nine artists for seven songs only (including one undecently pale remix): Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Sheck Wes, Lil Baby, Rosalia, Young Thug, Quavo, Offset and Pop Smoke to only cite singer artists. (Please notice the presence of only one woman in here as a sign of the will to keep this dark stereotyped masculinity in the whole rap game.) This is the only thing on my point of view that doesn't make me put Travis away and file him in the long list of 'once were amazingly creative in the past' artists. In conclusion: disappointing but not completely. We can totally feel this EP was all about business money, hype and a way to make the people wait for 'Utopia'.    … Expand
  3. MusicGuyMack
    Jan 27, 2020
    6
    A nagging sense of lacking true substance dogs the EP throughout despite immaculate production and fine performances by both Scott and his features, and resultantly functions best as an "Astroworld" palette cleanser/introduction to JACKBOYS above all else.
  4. okbuddyjosh
    Jan 22, 2020
    5
    While Travis and Don Toliver certainly shine on this album, Sheck Wes and Rosalia's performances leave something to be desired. The HIGHEST IN THE ROOM Remix isn't amazing, and I still prefer the original. The transition from Lil Baby's verse to the outro isn't as clean as the original transition and Rosalia doing adlibs doesn't work for me. On GANG GANG, Sheck Wes delivers a subparWhile Travis and Don Toliver certainly shine on this album, Sheck Wes and Rosalia's performances leave something to be desired. The HIGHEST IN THE ROOM Remix isn't amazing, and I still prefer the original. The transition from Lil Baby's verse to the outro isn't as clean as the original transition and Rosalia doing adlibs doesn't work for me. On GANG GANG, Sheck Wes delivers a subpar performance at best. HAD ENOUGH has a decent Quavo and Offset verse but the instrumental leaves something to be desired. The high point on the album, for me, is What To Do, which has a very catchy hook and a great Don Toliver verse. What disappoints me the most, however, is that this EP could've been great. On Astroworld, Don Toliver and . Travis had incredible chemistry and it is certainly present here, but it seems like Sheck Wes wasn't 100% necessary. This EP is a far cry from Travis' early works such as Rodeo and Days Before Rode, and I'm not sure I like it.… Expand
  5. Mati_bc
    Jul 3, 2020
    4
    An album that really disappointed me a bit, starting with the HITR remix, I didn't like the Rosalia part, after this song the only notable thing is OUT WEST, which Thugger saves a lot, and GANG GANG, especially the Don Toliver part , at HAD ENOUGH I was disappointed with the Migos part, and GATTI and WHAT TO DO? I did not like them. Remarkable: Travis saves several songs, although I didn'tAn album that really disappointed me a bit, starting with the HITR remix, I didn't like the Rosalia part, after this song the only notable thing is OUT WEST, which Thugger saves a lot, and GANG GANG, especially the Don Toliver part , at HAD ENOUGH I was disappointed with the Migos part, and GATTI and WHAT TO DO? I did not like them. Remarkable: Travis saves several songs, although I didn't see him shine too much, the excellent Thugger at OUT WEST and Don Toliver did quite well too. And excellent production. Sorry my english, im from South America.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. RapReviews.com
    Jan 9, 2020
    55
    Very little is going on lyrically above but Smoke’s energy is priceless. That same energy is only marginally filtered through these swift-moving tracks. The entire album is more of an elongated intro to the Cactus Jack brand.
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  2. HipHopDX
    Jan 7, 2020
    66
    Despite impressive features and banging singles, JACKBOYS seems too lean of a project to feel like a noteworthy introduction to Scott’s label and collective.
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  3. Clash Music
    Jan 7, 2020
    70
    Each song is different, and the wide-ranging scope is something we haven’t had from a collective since ‘Revenge Of The Dreamers III’ by Dreamville and J.Cole record label last summer.
    Read full review
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