Ah, the nostalgia train is always running, never late, and often led by artists who know exactly when to cash in on a good thing. Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo is about to hit streaming services for the first time ever, just in time for its 10th anniversary. This re-release isn’t just a simple nod to the past; it comes with a slew of previously unreleased bonus tracks and an exclusive digital deluxe version that’s already up for grabs. It’s a moment that’s sure to send fans spiraling back to 2014, when the world was first introduced to the raw, genre-blurring sound that would eventually make Scott a household name. But as the re-release approaches, one can’t help but wonder if we really need to go back.

Originally dropped on August 18, 2014, Days Before Rodeo was more than just a mixtape; it was a statement. Featuring guest spots from the likes of Young Thug, Big Sean, The 1975, Migos, T.I., and others, the project felt like curated chaos, with Scott orchestrating it all from behind his signature autotuned drawl. Tracks like “Don’t Play” and “Mamacita” weren’t just bangers; they were blueprints for a new wave of hip-hop that blurred the lines between trap, punk, and psychedelic music. It’s easy to see why the mixtape has a special place in the hearts of many.

But let’s not kid ourselves. This re-release, complete with flashy vinyl bundles and three different box sets, isn’t just about giving the fans what they want. It’s also about capitalizing on a moment when Travis Scott’s brand could use a bit of polish. After all, it hasn’t been all roses and butterflies for the Houston rapper lately. From lukewarm features to public controversies, Scott’s recent output hasn’t quite lived up to the towering expectations set by his earlier work. By bringing Days Before Rodeo back into the spotlight, Scott seems to be banking on the idea that fans will be so swept up in nostalgia that they’ll conveniently forget the less-than-stellar moments of recent years.

The re-release will hit streaming services on August 23, but if you’re itching for something special, there’s an exclusive digital deluxe version of Days Before Rodeo available for pre-order on Scott’s webshop for $4.99. And if you’re feeling particularly generous to your nostalgia-driven impulses, the standard version is priced at $10, and a vinyl record can be yours for $30. If that’s not enough, you can snag one of the three box set variations, priced between $55 and $125, each loaded with custom-printed mailer boxes, spray-washed hoodies, heavy-washed tees, and more. They’re set to ship within 2 to 3 weeks of the album’s release.

And that’s the thing about nostalgia; it’s a powerful drug. It makes us feel like the best is behind us, that somehow revisiting old favorites will bring us back to a time when everything felt just a bit more magical. But in reality, the world has changed, and so has Travis Scott. Revisiting Days Before Rodeo might remind us of what made us fall in love with his music in the first place, but it also runs the risk of highlighting how much has changed since then, and not always for the better.

So, do we need to revisit Days Before Rodeo? That depends. If you’re looking to recapture that 2014 magic, this re-release might be exactly what you need. But if you’re hoping for something new, something that pushes the boundaries in the way Scott once did, you might end up feeling a bit underwhelmed. At the end of the day, this re-release is as much a reflection on us as it is on Travis Scott, a testament to how much we cling to the past when the present feels uncertain.

But hey, who am I to judge? If you’re ready to dive back into Days Before Rodeo, unreleased tracks and all, go for it. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself questioning whether the best days of Travis Scott are, in fact, behind him.