Insano | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 12, 2024 | |||
Recorded | 2021–2023 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 64:00 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Kid Cudi chronology | ||||
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Alternate covers | ||||
Singles from Insano | ||||
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Insano is the ninth studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on January 12, 2024, via Wicked Awesome Records and Republic Records. Kid Cudi had announced this would be his last contractual album with Republic, the major-label he had been with since his commercial debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009). The album follows his 2022 effort Entergalactic, which was accompanied by a visual component, an award-winning TV special of the same name.
The album, which features guest appearances from fellow American rappers Travis Scott, ASAP Rocky, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, Lil Wayne, XXXTentacion and Pharrell Williams, also features American hip hop artist DJ Drama presenting songs much like Drama's famed Gangsta Grillz series. Additionally the album includes production from Plain Pat, Dot da Genius, Bnyx, Keyon Christ, Mike Zombie and Cudi himself, among others.
The album was preceded by two singles, "Porsche Topless" and "At the Party" featuring Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott. It was also supported by two promotional singles, "Most Ain't Dennis" and "Ill What I Bleed". The latter's music video was released on October 24, 2023, though "Ill What I Bleed" was ultimately left off of the record.[2][3]
Background
In September 2022, during an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Cudi implied that he's looking to pursue other ventures at least for the time being, "The Kid Cudi stuff, I think I want to put it on the back burner and chill out with that. I think, I want to be done with it. I think, closing the chapter on Kid Cudi."[4] His desire to move on from releasing albums and touring was something that led to Entergalactic (2022), which he wanted to take a different approach with because he was "bored" of putting out more traditional releases.[4] Cudi continued to tell Zane, "I've said a lot and I have other desires, I have other things I want to do. And I do not see me never making music, I'll always fuck around in the studio, or make something here and there. But, as far as getting in the studio and working on an album, and then going and touring it, I just don't have it in me."[4]
In October 2022, during an episode of Hot Ones, Kid Cudi continued to hint at retiring from music when he revealed that he didn't know how much longer he would continue making albums. He continued to say he was "kinda nearing the end on all things Kid Cudi." He quoted other rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Eminem and more, saying he didn't think he would have the same longevity as these artists.[5] When mentioning alternate career paths Cudi said "I was thinking about this [...] wacky idea I had years ago. It would be cool to one day be a kindergarten teacher. Just do that for a couple years."[6] On November 6, Cudi announced on Twitter he only has one more album left on his recording contract with Republic, revealing that he does not know what he will continue to do following the release.[7][8]
On March 8, 2023, Cudi took to Instagram Live to continue to give updates regarding the album: "I've never made a project this powerful before in my life. And you know, sitting and listening to these mixes, I just know that this shit is going to move you. Y'all are going to fuck with this shit in such a major way, and I'm so fuckin' excited. I just want to get on here and let y'all know that I'm not gonna let y'all down. This is gonna be the album of the year right now. I'm not playing, this is not a fuckin' joke. Tell everybody you fuckin' know."[9][10][11] On May 7, 2023, during an Instagram Live stream, Cudi revealed despite previous statements, he would not be retiring from music yet, and confirmed this would not be his last album. In the same stream, Cudi noted this album is "probably the first album I've ever made where I've been truly 100% happy".[12]
On August 14, Cudi posted a video on Instagram to give an update on the album, where he said "I feel very very fucking confident that y'all gonna love this shit. I need y'all to understand that for years I've been kind of making my music and staying to myself and just being my creative weird self. Now I'm competing. Now I'm entering the race. 15 years, I've been doing this shit a long time."[13][14]
Recording and production
On May 20, 2021, Cudi previewed a song from an album he was working on via his Instagram story, unveiling a snippet of a song tentatively titled "Wow".[15][16] During his 2021 headlining performance at the Rolling Loud music festival, Cudi revealed intentions on releasing two full-length projects in 2022, with plans of releasing an album prior to Entergalactic "I have Entergalactic coming in the summer, and I wanna drop another album before that. I got some tasty surprises and I'm really excited about all this new shit, this new music, to give to you guys," he said before playing a recording of a song that has since been dubbed "Freshie", concluding with "That's why I'm teasing this shit now because it's coming out soon."[17][18] The songs "Wow" and "Freshie" were seemingly set to appear on the unreleased album before Entergalactic.[19]
In November 2022, during one of his To the Moon World Tour stops in Europe, Cudi debuted "Solo Dolo Pt. IV". The song contains a sample of the original "Solo Dolo (Nightmare)" track, featured on his 2009 debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, which in turn contains a sample of "The Traitor", performed by the Menahan Street Band. The production features enormous amounts of bass, something that the featured artist, fellow American rapper Playboi Carti, is known for.[20] "Solo Dolo Pt. II" appeared on Cudi's 2013 album Indicud, and "Solo Dolo, Pt. III" on his 2020 album Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. Cudi said that he currently has "one more" album in the process but that the fourth installment of his "Solo Dolo" series would be a single before that project comes out.[20] However, on May 15, 2023, Cudi revealed the song would not make the album due to Carti not clearing his feature.[21][22] On December 2, 2022, Cudi posted on Twitter that he had recorded more than enough material to release another project.[23] "11 songs in [five] days. My goal was to do a whole new album worth of songs this week. 12 was my goal. Might get 14," he tweeted.[24]
On May 15, 2023, Cudi confirmed fellow American rappers Travis Scott and Young Thug, as guest appearances on the album.[21][25] In May 2023, American record producers BNYX and Keyon Christ respectively revealed they had worked on the album with Cudi.[26] The release of the song "Porsche Topless" as the first single, revealed the song was produced by BNYX, Jean Baptiste and Cudi himself.[27][28][29] In June 2023, Cudi previewed a song tentatively titled "Superboy", which was also produced by BNYX.[30][31]
The listening party Cudi held in June, previewed several songs and revealed American rapper Wiz Khalifa was set to appear on the album.[32] On June 19, Cudi revealed he recorded songs with his longtime friend and collaborator, fellow American rapper King Chip; together they are collectively known as the Almighty GloryUs.[33]
On July 29, 2023, Cudi made an appearance during American electro house DJ Steve Aoki's set at Tomorrowland, to preview a new collaboration of theirs, "ElectroWaveBaby 2.0", which was also co-produced by BNYX and Jean Stockton.[34] Cudi and Aoki previously collaborated in 2010 on the remix of Cudi's diamond certified single, "Pursuit of Happiness", on "Cudi the Kid" from Aoki's debut album Wonderland (2012), and on "Burrow" from Cudi's ninth album Entergalactic (2022).
In an August 15 tweet, Cudi revealed there would be more featured guests on the deluxe versions of the album.[14]
Music and lyrics
Reviewing the album's lead single "Porsche Topless", The Fader proclaimed, "Cudi celebrates the good times on his latest effort," while Complex applauded its "bouncy production and a carefree hook." Hypebeast christened it "a fun and upbeat summer anthem," and Consequence of Sound dubbed it "a top-down, tunes-up party track."[35]
Billboard called "Most Ain't Dennis" a "braggadocios track in which the artist flexes his accolades and how his counterparts pale in comparison."[36] HipHopDX wrote "Most Ain't Dennis" evokes "Indicud tracks like "Burn Baby Burn" and "Lord of the Sad and Lonely" as it finds Cudder spitting menacing bars over distorted, speaker-rattling production."[37]
Commenting on "Ill What I Bleed", Billboard stated "Cudi dials down the temperature [...] and provides more melodic flair than raps."[36] HipHopDX called "Ill What I Bleed" a "festival-ready banger featuring a woozy, thumping beat and Auto Tune-tinged vocals from Cudi, who defiantly sings about surviving life's trials and tribulations."[37]
Release and promotion
On February 27, 2023, Cudi announced on Twitter his last contractual album with Republic Records would be released in autumn; adding that the rollout for the album would begin in the summer, with singles to be released.[38] A fan replied to his tweet and asked whether a concert tour is in his plans, to which Cudi confirmed he would be embarking on a world tour in 2024.[39] He would later say he planned on touring for at least five months.[40]
On March 8, Cudi took to Instagram Live to reveal the album's first single would be released on June 1.[41][42] He later revealed on Twitter he would be directing the music video for the album's first single.[43] On April 26, 2023, Cudi announced he would reveal the title of the album and release the lead single on June 2.[44] After unveiling behind the scenes photos of the music video for the first single,[45] on May 9, Cudi made the single available for pre-save on all streaming platforms.[46]
On May 19, through a post on TikTok, Cudi revealed the first single would be titled "Flex", while previewing the song.[47] However, Cudi would later pivot and instead release "Porsche Topless" as the lead single on June 2.[48][49] The cover art for the single was designed by Cudi and American visual artist Glassface, who also helped produce the music video for "Flex" which was ultimately shelved.[50]
On June 2, after premiering the lead single and hosting a listening session with fans in Los Angeles, Cudi revealed the album would be titled Insano.[51][52] In June, Cudi announced he would be holding the second annual Moon Man's Landing festival; later unveiling the line-up to include $uicideboy$, Bashfortheworld, Chelsea Pastel, Coi Leray, Siena Bella and Lil Uzi Vert.[53] Cudi also revealed the location, confirming it would again take place in his hometown of Cleveland, on August 19, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.[54]
In July 2023, Cudi announced he would be embarking on a worldwide tour from April 2024 to November 2025.[55] He also revealed the album would have multiple deluxe editions.[56] During his headlining set for the HARD Summer music festival, after previewing five new songs from the album, Cudi revealed the album would be issued on September 15, the same date his 2009 debut album was released.[57][58]
On August 17, 2023, Cudi made the album available for pre-order and pre-save on streaming platforms; additionally he released merchandise in support of the album, consisting of short- and long-sleeve T-shirts and pullover hoodies—all of which feature graphics that reference the album. Cudi also unveiled four cover art variations that feature artwork by American designers Kaws and Glassface, respectively.[59][60] The main cover is an original piece of artwork created by Kaws for his 2019 "Blackout" collection titled "It Takes What It Needs".[61]
On August 18, the Cleveland Guardians and Cudi announced their partnership for Kid Cudi Day on September 22, 2023. The event would be held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio as the Guardians play host to the Baltimore Orioles. The event will be to celebrate the release of the album and honor the work Cudi has done for the Cleveland community.[62]
On September 4, Cudi announced he was pushing back the album's release date to January 2024.[63][64] He claimed the delay was due to being a perfectionist and wanting to give the best version of the album.[65] Due to the delay, Cudi decided to release two promotional singles in support of the album, "Most Ain't Dennis" and "Ill What I Bleed".[66]
Two months later "At the Party", featuring Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott, was released as the second single. The album's tracklist was released on January 8, 2024.[67]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 69/100[68] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Clash | 7/10[69] |
HipHopDX | 3.3/5[70] |
PopMatters | 6/10[71] |
Insano received a score of 69 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[68] HipHopDX's Sam Moore wrote that Kid Cudi "floats into a new space in what feels like an attempt to tap into the enormous market of close collaborator Travis Scott" and that the album "grasps the scattershot creative mind of Cudi as accurately as any of his other projects".[70] Reviewing the album for PopMatters, Igor Bannikov stated that Cudi "does his usual cosmic, moonish, entergalactic stuff in a relaxed, low-key manner, not aiming to make something iconic".[71] Robin Murray of Clash called the album a "lavish return" but felt that it "isn't perfect" and is "at times disjointed" with "a few tracks here that could have been excised without disrupting Kid Cudi's central narrative. 'Electrowavebaby' is fun but doesn't seem to add to his sound, while 'Mr Coola' feels a little dated".[69]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Often, I Have These Dreamz" (with DJ Drama) |
|
| 2:29 |
2. | "Keep Bouncin'" |
|
| 2:56 |
3. | "Get Off Me" (with Travis Scott) |
|
| 3:35 |
4. | "Most Ain't Dennis" |
| 2:37 | |
5. | "Wow" (with ASAP Rocky) |
|
| 4:34 |
6. | "ElectroWaveBaby" |
|
| 3:25 |
7. | "A Tale of a Knight" |
|
| 2:57 |
8. | "Cud Life" |
|
| 3:33 |
9. | "Too Damn High" (with Lil Yachty) |
|
| 2:18 |
10. | "Getcha Gone" |
|
| 1:55 |
11. | "At the Party" (featuring Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott) |
| Williams | 3:58 |
12. | "Mr. Coola" |
|
| 2:27 |
13. | "Freshie" |
|
| 3:19 |
14. | "Tortured" | 3:55 | ||
15. | "X & Cud" (with XXXTentacion) |
|
| 2:46 |
16. | "Seven" (with Lil Wayne) | 2:31 | ||
17. | "Funky Wizard Smoke" |
|
| 2:45 |
18. | "Rager Boyz" (with Young Thug) |
|
| 2:49 |
19. | "Porsche Topless" |
|
| 2:50 |
20. | "Blue Sky" |
|
| 3:41 |
21. | "Hit the Streetz in My Nikes" |
|
| 2:40 |
Total length: | 64:00 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
- "X & Cud" samples "Orlando", written by Jahseh Onfroy and Tobias Jesso Jr., as performed by XXXTentacion.[72]
Release history
Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | January 12, 2024 | [73][74][75] |
References
- ↑ Chinapen, Mark (January 12, 2024). "Insano by Kid Cudi | Album Review". Modern Music Analysis. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ↑ Paul, Larisha (October 24, 2023). "Kid Cudi Steps Into the World of 'Insano' With Carefree 'Ill What I Bleed' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Shares New Single "Ill What I Bleed": Listen". Stereogum. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Price, Joe. "Kid Cudi Says He Might Be Done With Albums After 'Entergalactic'". Complex.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi says he's "nearing the end" of his music career". NME. October 7, 2022.
- ↑ Mier, Tomás (October 6, 2022). "Kid Cudi Says He's 'Kinda Nearing the End' of Making Music -- and He Wants to Become a Kindergarten Teacher". Rolling Stone.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi promises one more album of "all new music"". NME. November 7, 2022.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi's 'final' album 'INSANO' to feature Travis Scott, Young Thug, more". August 17, 2023.
- ↑ Galindo, Thomas (March 9, 2023). "Kid Cudi Says He Will Release Album of the Year This Year—"I'm Back"". American Songwriter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Hypes Up New Project, Says It's The "Album Of The Year"". www.hotnewhiphop.com. March 9, 2023.
- ↑ @KidCudi. "If you need something to motivate u, to lift u up, INSANO got u. Pure superhero music to soundtrack your life. Guaranteed" (Tweet) – via Twitter. {{Cite tweet}}: Missing or empty |number= (help)
- ↑ "- YouTube" – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Gets N.O.R.E. Response After Promising to 'Address Some Stuff' on 'Drink Champs'". August 16, 2023.
- 1 2 "Everything We Know About Kid Cudi's 'Insano' Album So Far". August 15, 2023.
- ↑ Findlay, Mitch (May 20, 2021). "Kid Cudi Shares A New Snippet, Asks For Fan Opinions". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on June 4, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- ↑ Eustice, Kyle (May 17, 2021). "Kid Cudi Axes 'Man On The Moon III' Deluxe". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- ↑ Darville, Jordan (December 13, 2021). "Kid Cudi says he's releasing two new albums in 2022". The Fader. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ↑ Larisha Paul (December 13, 2021). "Kid Cudi Teases Two Upcoming Albums During Rolling Loud Set – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Unveils Brand New Track "Freshie" and Teases Two New Albums at Rolling Loud -". December 19, 2021.
- 1 2 "Watch Kid Cudi Perform New Song "Solo Dolo Pt. 4"". November 22, 2022.
- 1 2 "Kid Cudi says Playboi Carti "won't clear" unreleased track "Solo Dolo Pt. 4"". The Fader.
- ↑ @KidCudi (May 7, 2023). "There were multiple blocks of time I was recordin. I started beginning of Jan 2021, recorded about 30 songs through out the year, scrapped them, then in the fall of 2022 made another 30. So I ended up being in a fuckin zone that second run and thats most of this album. Some songs made it from first round. Top of this year and last few months made another 10. Im finally finished. U will be happy. Made sure to only use the HEAT" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Says He's Finished 11 Songs In 5 Days". www.hotnewhiphop.com. December 4, 2022.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi reveals he recently recorded an album in 5 days". Yahoo Entertainment. December 3, 2022.
- ↑ Price, Joe. "Kid Cudi Says Playboi Carti Not Clearing "Mr. Solo Dolo IV" Collab is 'Weak'". Complex.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (May 24, 2023). "This album would be NOTHING with out u" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Debuts New Single "PORSCHE TOPLESS"". June 2, 2023.
- ↑ Price, Joe. "Kid Cudi Shares New Song "Porsche Topless" After 'Pivoting' Away From Single Fans Were Lukewarm About". Complex.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Shares New Single 'Porsche Topless' — Stream". June 2, 2023.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (June 19, 2023). "BNYX produced that one too @BNYX" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Shares a Snippet of New Music". HNHH. June 19, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi & Wiz Khalifa Is a High Level Linkup". Highsnobiety. June 3, 2023.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (June 19, 2023). "I cant wait for yall to hear these Almighty GloryUs joints on the album" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi's New Album Insano Due in September, Previews Steve Aoki Collab". HNHH. July 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Reveals Four Cover Art Variations for New Album Insano". August 18, 2023.
- 1 2 "Kid Cudi Delays New Album 'INSANO,' Drops 2 Songs on SoundCloud". Billboard.
- 1 2 "Kid Cudi Drops Two of His 'Favorite' Songs from 'INSANO' After Delaying Album". September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Teases His Next Album: "Ur Not Prepared"". www.hotnewhiphop.com. February 27, 2023.
- ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (February 27, 2023). "Kid Cudi Gives Update On New Album & Tour: 'The New Chapter Has Begun'". HipHopDX.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (April 26, 2023). "Next year yeap. And ima stay on the road for a bit. Bout 5 months. Try and hit more places. I got yall" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Oatman, Alexis (March 29, 2023). "Kid Cudi Continues Hollywood Takeover In 'Trolls Band Together': Watch The Trailer". HipHopDX.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Says Next Release Will Be Album of the Year: 'I've Never Made a Project This Powerful Before' (UPDATE)". Complex.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (March 9, 2023). "Im directing the video for my first single. Shits gonna get wild" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (April 26, 2023). "Ill announce the album title June 2nd w the first single. Im excited man. Enjoy the calm. Shits about to get real in bit" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (May 1, 2023). "June 2nd" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (May 9, 2023). "Title comin soon" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "TikTok - Make Your Day".
- ↑ Callas, Brad. "Kid Cudi Says He's 'Pivoting' After Receiving Mixed Reactions to Preview of New Track "Flex"". Complex.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Amends Release Schedule After Backlash To "Flex"". www.hotnewhiphop.com. May 20, 2023.
- ↑ @glassface_ (May 24, 2023). "Single art by me and Cudi" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Announces The Title Of His New Album". www.hotnewhiphop.com. June 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Releases First Single of 2023, Announces New Album Insano". June 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Cleveland native Kid Cudi bringing Moon Man's Landing festival to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in August: How to get tickets". June 14, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Announces Moon Man's Landing Festival Ft. Lil Uzi Vert & $uicideboy$". June 14, 2023.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (July 22, 2023). "My tour is planned from april 2024 to nov 2025" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ @KiDCuDi (July 22, 2023). "There will be deluxe(s)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "Power106LA on TikTok".
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Insano Rumored Release Date Revealed". HNHH. August 10, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Unveils Insano Album Cover". HotNewHipHop. August 17, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Shares Colorful Cover Art for New Album Insano". August 17, 2023.
- ↑ "Kaws: Blackout - - Exhibitions - Skarstedt Gallery". www.skarstedt.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ↑ "Cleveland Guardians announce Kid Cudi Day at Progressive Field on September 22". MLB.com.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Says INSANO Now Coming 2024, Playboi Carti Collab Coming Never". September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Delays 'INSANO,' but Drops off Two New Tracks". September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Pushes 'Insano' Release Date to January 2024: 'I'm a Perfectionist'". Rolling Stone. September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi Unleashes "Ill What I Bleed"/Most Ain't Dennis" After Insano is Pushed Back". HotNewHipHop. September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Kid Cudi's Insano Tracklist Features Travis Scott And ASAP Rocky". UPROXX. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- 1 2 "Insano by Kid Cudi Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- 1 2 Murray, Robin (January 12, 2024). "Kid Cudi – Insano | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- 1 2 Moore, Sam (January 15, 2024). "Kid Cudi | Insano Album Review". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- 1 2 Bannikov, Igor (January 17, 2024). "Kid Cudi Channels Travis Scott on Insano". PopMatters. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ↑ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (January 12, 2024). "Kid Cudi Samples Old XXXTentacion Track on Insano: Fans React". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ↑ "INSANO by Kid Cudi".
- ↑ "Insano CD".
- ↑ "Kid Cudi - INSANO (Target Exclusive, Vinyl)".