

Cleveland virtuoso Kid Cudi’s second album is one of his most daring experiments, full of tracks that look far beyond rap’s traditional outlines for inspiration. “Don’t Play This Song” is a dark swirl of psychedelic hip-hop that combines bouncing synths, orchestral flourishes, and Mary J. Blige’s soulful croons, while “We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up)” boasts grinding electronics that could play over a Philip K. Dick-penned sci-fi story. Chugging rocker “Erase Me” would even sound at home on a tape of late-’90s indie anthems.