Arachnophonia: Kids See Ghosts

Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Ibrahim (class of 2028) and features Kids See Ghosts, a 2018 collaboration between Kanye West and Kid Cudi on vinyl. Thanks, Ibrahim!

Kids See Ghosts

Kids See Ghosts album cover (2018)

KIDS SEE GHOSTS is the first and only collaborative studio album by Kanye West and Kid Cudi, released in 2018. It marked a bold change for both artists, blending hip-hop with rock, psychedelia, and experimental sounds. This album includes some of their most acclaimed tracks, such as “Reborn,” “Fire,” and “Cudi Montage.” KIDS SEE GHOSTS deals with themes of mental health, healing, and resilience, making it a powerful and personal favorite among fans.

What makes KIDS SEE GHOSTS unique is its raw honesty and creative production. Songs like “Reborn” repeat a mantra of moving forward, offering listeners a message of growth and renewal. “Cudi Montage” layers Kid Cudi’s reflective lyrics over a haunting guitar sample, showing how music can carry both pain and hope at the same time. Whether you’ve followed Kanye West and Kid Cudi for years or are just discovering their work, this album offers a moving and unforgettable listening experience.

The Parsons Music Library has KIDS SEE GHOSTS available on vinyl, so you can immerse yourself in its striking sound. Whether you want to reflect on its messages, enjoy its bold style, or simply let it play in the background, fans agree that KIDS SEE GHOSTS is a transformative listen.

Parsons Playlists: Back to the Future

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Griffin (class of 2027). It features a mix of new and older songs.

Back to the Future

back to the future

Recently, I’ve been listening to mostly old music as well as whatever new releases were coming out, so I thought, why not combine the time differences into one playlist? Listening to them all, it’s interesting to listen to the common themes from each period and how the sound has evolved into what we enjoy today. Listening from old to new, new to old, or shuffling the list gives light to new experiences as well.

Sampha – “Dancing Circles 2.0”

JPEGMAFIA – “either on or off the drugs”

Mustafa feat. Daniel Caesar – “Leaving Toronto”

KAYTRANADA feat. Childish Gambino – “Witchy”

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti – “Timeless”

Clairo – “Juna”

MAXO KREAM X TYLER, THE CREATOR – “CRACC ERA”

FKA twigs – “Eusexua”

Denzel Curry ft. Ty Dolla $ign & Juicy J – “COLE PIMP”

The Temptations – “The Way You Do The Things You Do”

Ben E. King – “Stand By Me”

Sly & The Family Stone – “Family Affair”

The Flamingos – “I Only Have Eyes for You”

Bobby Hebb – “Sunny”

Paul Simon – “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”

Stevie Wonder – “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”

Ray Charles – “What’d I Say”

Bob Dylan – “The Times They Are A-Changin'”

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZezTVskBwAUxuXEeauYQTMFG&si=2Sv6jGo_Mymlm_Ki