The Hypnotic Nature of Rodeo Blue by monde

Kathryn Akers

Local Journalist

To be honest, this article slipped my mind. I remembered this article a mere two days before it was due. My friend had me over at her house when I realized I really dropped the ball. When I mentioned how stressed I was over my impending deadline, she immediately had a solution for me. She introduced me to her friend, monde, who writes and produces his own music.

Upon asking monde what of his discography I should listen to first, he referred me to his most recent album, Rodeo Blue. Less than 30 seconds into the album’s opening track, “genesis,” I was absolutely hypnotized, and I knew Rodeo Blue would create the foundation for my next article.

Monde is an independent artist located in San Marcos, Texas. He attends Texas State and finds the time to write, produce, and promote his music on the side. His music has a very unique sound, that sound being a base of hyperpop with notes of electronic and experimental rap woven throughout. Monde has been publishing music since October 2024, his debut release being a seven-song album called JOAN. My favorite release of monde’s is his latest 2025 album, Rodeo Blue.

Rodeo Blue by monde was released in November of 2025. The album owns thirteen songs and sports a playtime of thirty-seven minutes. This album is monde’s self-proclaimed magnum opus, and I completely agree. The cohesive, hazy, electronic sound throughout the album encapsulates the listener and immerses them in the unique dreamworld of Rodeo Blue. For the best listening experience, I recommend listening to monde’s album in order because the songs flow cohesively in chronological order, creating an intriguing storyline as the listener progresses through the album.

The opening track, “genesis,” opens strong and feels like the moment you gain consciousness in a dream and realize that everything is not as it seems. With the exception of “break me down softly and watch me bleed,” the songs get less melancholic and more fury-fueled as the album progresses. Track six, “break me down softly and watch me bleed,” serves as an interlude of sorts, a peaceful break from this otherworldly dream.

Monde’s attention to detail throughout Rodeo Blue is absolutely insane. Most of the songs’ beginnings and endings are complementary to each other, but some of the songs transition so seamlessly that it’s hard to tell where one song ends and another begins. This meld happens in the transition from track nine, “saint,” to track ten, “foreign.” I’ll leave the description of this transition vague so as not to ruin it for first-time listeners, but I will say it sounds quite euphoric.

The hypnotic nature of monde’s Rodeo Blue holds something for all audiences. The album tells a story via the emotional path created by the tracks. “Genesis” starts out dreamy and hazy, then by “american cannibal,” the music reaches a furious climax before mellowing back out in “red lions” for a melancholic finale. Whether you’re listening for a unique blend of electronic sounds or intricate lyricism, Rodeo Blue has a track tailored to your tastes.

Spotify: monde

Apple Music: monde

Instagram: @dearmonde_