I wasn’t expecting much from Kid Cudi’s first album, as music from artists tends to get better the more they create. To my utter surprise “Man on the Moon: The End of the Day (2009),” has to be my favorite pop-rap album ever created.

The album is an emotional rollercoaster that goes from drowning in depression, found in “Day ‘n’ Night,” to finding the courage to overcome mental illnesses, which can be heard in “Heart Of A Lion.” The album is incredibly relatable; the listener is able to connect themselves to the music and know that in this world they don’t have to be alone.

The extent of the album’s ability to draw the listener in doesn’t just stop there. From the first track to the last, you can truly understand the story of Kid Cudi. You can feel his emotions and almost see inside of his head. The album shows us his life, his hopes, and his dreams all in one. For example, songs on the album, like “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare),” allow us to see his fears. While it may not seem like these songs are the definition of vulnerability, putting yourself out to the world through music allows listeners to hear your backstory and grow to understand you beyond the surface, which is exactly what Kid Cudi does.

He doesn’t only express his emotions woven throughout the lyrics of his songs, he has real talks, almost like little memoirs before or after a few of his songs. These are not included in every song, but in about four or five throughout the track. The little 30-second memoirs of his life tell a quick summary of a story that relates to the song. This adds to the depth of the meaning within the album and gives it a more personal experience. The listener has yet another thing to take away from the album in relation to their lives.

Not only is the story of the songs touching, but throughout all the songs you don’t only hear them through a speaker or your earbuds, you feel them from within. The music from the album seems to get that itch in your brain that you can’t quite reach, or that feeling you get in your heart when you know something is good. The songs have a great rhythm and lyrics that will have you nodding your head along. Saying these songs are “catchy” is an understatement — you will want to have these songs playing on repeat throughout your day.

If you are like me and enjoy the thrill of music and a heartfelt story to go along with it, then “Man on the Moon: The End of the Day” is for you. The story inspires people to know they aren’t alone in their journey through life, all we have to do is go “Up Up & Away.”