Ye – Kanye West

Ye (2018) is Kanye West’s introspective and lean eighth studio album, conceived during his time in Wyoming and released in just two weeks. The project spans seven tracks and roughly 23 minutes, stripping back grandiosity in favour of vulnerability and directness. The production leans into sparse textures, moody synths, and subdued percussion, allowing West’s conflicted voice to dominate. Lyrically, Ye grapples openly with mental health, fame, family, and inner turmoil — a raw snapshot of his mindset at a volatile moment.

While Ye is more restrained than many of Kanye’s previous works, its brevity and candour make it impactful. What it gains in emotional honesty, it sometimes lacks in cohesion — some transitions feel abrupt, and the thematic threads are frayed. Still, there are moments of power and beauty: “Ghost Town” stands out as a cathartic high point, with a blend of grit and release that lingers. Ye may not reach the heights of his best records, but as a confessional experiment, it commands attention.

Reviews

“Ye is an album born from chaos for chaos’ sake.” – Pitchfork

“West truly shows the dangers of becoming so famous and untouchable that no one can challenge what you’re doing.” – No Ripcord