"My Eyes" is a song by American rapperTravis Scott from his fourth studio albumUtopia (2023). It features uncredited additional vocals fromSampha andJustin Vernon. The song was written by the vocalists alongsideDua Saleh,Wheezy,Buddy Ross,Vegyn, andWondaGurl, the latter four producing it with Scott and Vernon.
In the first part, Scott utilizes tender melodies over the sample[1] and synthesizer production,[2] pitching up his voice in a style that has been compared toFrank Ocean'sBlonde[3] and performing in "stuttering flows" similar to that of Ocean's music, while Sampha and Justin Vernon provide vocals as well.[4] The beat switches in the middle of the song,[3][4] for the rest of which Scott lyrically reflecting on what is at stake for him[4] and theAstroworld Festival crowd crush.[4][5][6] Scott also references his ex-girlfriendKylie Jenner from an interview.
Robin Murray ofClash described the song as having a "sonic soup verging on the ambient on a performance of rare emotion."[7]
The song received critical acclaim.Complex's Eric Skelton commented "Travis is rapping a lot better than we're used to hearing from him", especially on songs like the second half of "My Eyes", while Mike Destefano said the song's beat switch is among his favorite instrumental pieces onUtopia.[8] Thomas Galindo ofAmerican Songwriter wrote that Travis Scott's "sparse use ofautotune" "helps him deliver more raunchy, raw, fiery verses as he used to a decade ago", citing the second half of "My Eyes" as among the songs in which this quality is most notably displayed.[2] Alphonse Pierre ofPitchfork stated "The digitized lilts overBlonde-inspired fogginess on 'My Eyes' sound nice enough, especially when sprinkled with dreamy riffing from Sampha and Justin Vernon."[9] Paul Attard ofSlant Magazine regardedUtopia's sequencing of first six songs, which include "My Eyes", as Scott's "best run of tracks to date."[10] Shaad D'Souza ofThe Guardian called "The things I created became the most weighted" a sharp line on the song.[3]HotNewHipHop's Aron A. commented that "some moments showcase his tenacity as an MC, like in 'MY EYES.' He beasts through with poetic realizations that actually showcase a glimpse of humanity surrounding theAstroworld Festival tragedy. 'I replay them nights, and right by my side, all I see is a sea of people that ride wit' me,' he raps. 'If they just knew what Scotty would do to jump off the stage and save him a child.' These moments of self-awareness are few and far between. If anything, this bar serves as an acknowledgment of his overtly dedicated fanbase that continues to line up his pockets."[6]Vulture's Craig Jenkins described Sampha and Vernon's vocals as "gorgeous" and Scott's verse in the second part "ferocious".[4]
Jordan Rose ofComplex picked the song as the "biggest skip" fromUtopia, saying it "feels too slow for this album. I wouldn't skip it because it's bad, but it just feels out of place."[8] Vivian Medithi ofHipHopDX criticized the line "If they just knew what Scotty would do to jump off the stage and save him a child", saying it "ruined" the song.[11]NME's Nathan Evans disapproved of the additional vocals, stating the song "makes clunky cameos out ofBon Iver and Sampha, the latter of whom arrives to croon for an almighty three lines."[12]
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady ofBillboard placed "My Eyes" at number five in her ranking of the songs fromUtopia.[13]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 31. týden 2023 in the date selector. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
