Lost in the World (ft. Bon Iver)

Behind the outbursts, attention grabs, and deeply problematic views is someone who was — and maybe still is — one of the most influential artists of our time. I can’t enjoy Kanye’s music the way I used to, but as July 4th weekend wraps up, this track came to mind.

Maybe it’s Gil Scott-Heron’s voice at the end — “Who will survive in America?”

Maybe it’s Kanye’s lines — messy, contradictory, somehow taking on new meaning today — “You’re my freedom, you’re my jail”.

Yeah the lyrics were for Kim, but here they feel bigger.

Truth is the track still bangs. I love Justin Vernon’s repurposed version of Woods in the intro, the primal drum loop, Kanye crashing in with his bravado, the gospel choir taking us to church. It’s maximalist, it’s chaotic, and it works.

Knowing what we know now, this could’ve been a cry for help.

Like he said — he’s lost in the world.