Neon Shark vs Pegasus
Neon Shark vs Pegasus | ||||
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Studio album (reissue)[a] by | ||||
Released | February 19, 2021 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 113:42 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Trippie Redd chronology | ||||
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Singles from Neon Shark vs Pegasus | ||||
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Neon Shark vs Pegasus, also stylized as NEON SHARK vs Pegasus (Deluxe: Presented by Travis Barker), is a reissued album by American rapper and singer Trippie Redd in collaboration with fellow American musician Travis Barker. It was released on February 19, 2021, as the deluxe edition of Redd's third studio album, Pegasus. The album features guest appearances from Machine Gun Kelly, Blackbear, Chino Moreno, Scarlxrd, and ZillaKami.[4] The original version of the album – which is included – was released on October 30, 2020, and retains features from Myiah Lynnae, Yung LB, PartyNextDoor, Chris Brown, Rich the Kid, Young Thug, Future, Lil Mosey, Quavo, Busta Rhymes, Sean Kingston, Doe Boy, Lil Wayne, HoodyBaby, and Swae Lee.
Neon Shark vs Pegasus sees Trippie Redd explore rock music. One critic wrote that "[p]roduced by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, it establishes a totally new distorted rock sound, louder and crunchier than Redd’s previous genre collages."[3] The album was supported by one single: "Dreamer", released on June 18, 2020. The record project received critical acclaim, with praise directed especially to its successful experimentation. Many critics stated that the album was a rewarding foray into rap rock, where others such as Lil Wayne (Rebirth) had failed.[3][5]
Background
[edit]Trippie Redd released the album's lead and only single, "Dreamer", on his 21st birthday, June 18, 2020.[6] Including this song, the album features fourteen new songs. However, before the deluxe version was released, it leaked in its entirety on Tidal on January 29, 2021.[7] It was then taken down swiftly.[8] The album was officially announced by Redd on February 18 2021, and was released the following day.[7] It serves as the artist's first rock project, while also marking his first project that does not contain hip hop and rap in it.[9][10] Travis Barker said: “I don’t think there’s a whole lot of rappers that can make an actual rock album… I think they can make rock-inspired songs, but Trippie is so good with melody and can sing so well. It was really easy for him to do this.”[11]
Release and promotion
[edit]Trippie Redd had stated that the deluxe edition of Pegasus would be a full rock album and would be titled Neon Shark.[9] Travis Barker said: “It’s a real rock album. It’s not just guitar over trap beats, we went all the way in”.[12]
When asked about the meaning behind the title, Trippie stated: “I feel like as a person I’m outgoing so, colorful. And then people look at me like I’m a shark, maybe scared, so they keep their distance.” Barker added: “From the first day, … He was sending me little gifs of sharks and stuff.”[11]
Critical reception
[edit]Neon Shark vs Pegasus received critical acclaim. Emma Jackimowicz of The Daily Reveille praised Trippie Redd’s experimentation, calling the project “a refreshing, emo-punk album”.[13] She highlighted “Without You”, “Geronimo” and “Frozen Ocean” as some of the best songs on the album.[13] Lucas Fagen of Hyperallergic praised the project as a “pop-punk gem.[3] Maisy Sullivan of The Tower was also complementary towards the album, writing: “Neon Shark is very experimental. Trippie Redd uses rock as the sort of umbrella genre, yet tries out different branches of the artistic category. He features screamo, pop-punk, trap, and traditional alternative styles to combine into the entirety of the work.”[12] She concluded: “His discography is messy, his aesthetic is chaotic, and his music tests all styles. Trippie Redd is controversial; however, he does not look to impress. He looks to be himself unapologetically. Neon Shark is a pure reflection of his happy-go-lucky personality. It fits into his emo-style rap genre, and it is easy to discern that he put work into its production.”[12] The song “Geronimo” was included on Loudwire’s list of the Best Rock Songs of 2021 (So Far) in October 2021.[14]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
The Daily Reveille | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hyperallergic | (very favorable)[3] |
The Tower | (very favorable)[12] |
Year-end lists
[edit]Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
The Daily Reveille | The Best Albums of 2021 (so far) | 2 | [15] |
Track listing
[edit]Credits adapted from Tidal for both editions.[16][17]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Pill Breaker" (with Travis Barker featuring Machine Gun Kelly and Blackbear) | Barker | 2:57 | |
2. | "Without You" (with Travis Barker) |
|
| 3:09 |
3. | "Swimming" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 2:15 |
4. | "Female Shark" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 2:43 |
5. | "Geronimo" (with Travis Barker featuring Chino Moreno) |
|
| 2:59 |
6. | "Sea World" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 2:36 |
7. | "Red Sky" (with Travis Barker featuring Machine Gun Kelly) |
|
| 2:32 |
8. | "Megladon" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 3:14 |
9. | "Save Yourself" (with Travis Barker) |
|
| 2:40 |
10. | "Dreamer" |
| Yeezo | 2:50 |
11. | "It's Coming" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 2:34 |
12. | "Leaders" (with Travis Barker) |
|
| 2:40 |
13. | "Frozen Ocean" (with Travis Barker) |
| Barker | 3:24 |
14. | "Dead Desert" (with Travis Barker featuring Scarlxrd and ZillaKami) |
| Barker | 2:41 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Let It Out" (featuring Myiah Lynnae) |
| 2:56 | |
16. | "Moonlight" |
|
| 2:41 |
17. | "Love Scars 4" |
|
| 2:36 |
18. | "The Nether" |
|
| 2:37 |
19. | "So Stressed" (featuring Yung LB) |
| 3:24 | |
20. | "Excitement" (with PartyNextDoor) |
|
| 4:43 |
21. | "Mood" (featuring Chris Brown) |
|
| 2:23 |
22. | "Pegasus" |
|
| 2:17 |
23. | "Weeeeee" |
| Loaded | 2:32 |
24. | "Personal Favorite" (featuring Rich the Kid) |
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| 2:35 |
25. | "V-12" |
|
| 2:06 |
26. | "Spaceships" (featuring Young Thug) |
| ATL Jacob | 2:54 |
27. | "Never Change" (featuring Future) |
|
| 2:53 |
28. | "Good Morning" |
| ChopSquad DJ | 3:21 |
29. | "No Honorable Mentions" (with Lil Mosey featuring Quavo) |
| 4:18 | |
30. | "I Got You" (with Busta Rhymes) | 3:05 | ||
31. | "Too Fly" |
| 3:04 | |
32. | "Red Beam" (featuring Sean Kingston) |
| 2:07 | |
33. | "Oomps Revenge, Pt. 2" |
|
| 1:57 |
34. | "Take One" |
| Nick Mira | 2:01 |
35. | "Sleepy Hollow" |
| Outtatown | 1:41 |
36. | "Kid That Didd" (featuring Future and Doe Boy) |
|
| 3:37 |
37. | "Don" |
| ChopSquad DJ | 2:24 |
38. | "Hell Rain" (featuring Lil Wayne and Hoodybaby) | White | Cardiak | 3:47 |
39. | "TR666" (featuring Swae Lee) | 3:00 | ||
40. | "Sun God (Above You)" (featuring Myiah Lynnae) |
| Angel Lopez | 3:12 |
Total length: | 74:11 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an uncredited additional producer
- "TR666" was initially released on December 26, 2017.[18]
- All songs on the deluxe stylized in all caps.
Sample credits
- "TR666" contains samples of "A Garden of Peace" by Lonnie Liston Smith.
- "Female Shark" contains samples of "True Love" by nothing,nowhere. and Travis Barker.[19]
- "I Got You" interpolates "I Know What You Want", performed by Busta Rhymes and Mariah Carey.[20]
Notes
References
[edit]- ^ Johnson, Zoe (February 19, 2021). "Trippie Redd, Thouxanbanfauni, Yelawolf and Caskey and More – New Projects This Week". XXL. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Fagen, Lucas (February 27, 2021). "Trippie Redd, Louder and Crunchier". Hyperallergic. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Fagen, Lucas (February 27, 2021). "Trippie Redd, Louder and Crunchier". Hyperallergic. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Rose, Jordan. "Trippie Redd Shares 'Neon Shark vs Pegasus' Project Executive Produced by Travis Barker". Hot New Hip Hop. Urbanlinx Media. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Trippie Redd – Pegasus: Neon Shark Vs. Pegasus Presented By Travis Barker (Album Review)". Ratings Game Music. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Skinner, Tom (June 24, 2020). "Listen to Trippie Redd's distorted new single 'Dreamer'". NME. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "Pegasus: Neon Shark vs Pegasus Presented By Travis Barker (Deluxe) (Trippie Redd)", Genius, retrieved June 20, 2025
- ^ Zidel, Alex. "Trippie Redd's New Album "Neon Shark" Fully Leaks: Report". Hot New Hip Hop. Urbanlinx Media. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ a b Findlay, Mitch. "Trippie Redd Teases "Pegasus" Deluxe Will Be A Rock Album". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Mendez, Marisa (July 22, 2020). "Trippie Redd & PARTYNEXTDOOR Swag Out a Pirate Ship In 'Excitement' Music Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "Trippie Redd Enters the Rock World with Travis Barker". VMAN. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Maisy (February 25, 2021). "Neon Shark vs. Pegasus: Trippie Redd Album Review". The Tower. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Jackimowicz, Emma (March 3, 2021). "Trippie Redd and Travis Barker's 'Neon Shark vs Pegasus' project re-energizes a once lost pop-punk genre". The Daily Reveille. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ "The Best Rock Songs of 2021 (So Far)". Loudwire. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ "The best albums of 2021 (so far)". The Daily Reveille. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ "Pegasus: Neon Shark vs Pegasus Presented by Travis Barker (Deluxe) / Trippie Redd / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Pegasus / Trippie Redd / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Coleman, C. Vernon (December 26, 2017). "Trippie Redd and Swae Lee Drop New Song TR666". XXL Mag. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ "nothing,nowhere. - TRUE LOVE Samples". Genius. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (October 7, 2020). "Trippie Redd Drops Assertive New Single "Sleepy Hollow"". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2021.