"What makes Ideal Man especially stand out is the sense that Combs really had something he needed to say, something deeply personal and meaningful to him. This isn't only evident in his songwriting, but sonically. Ideal Man is, as the kids say, "aesthetic." It feels so clearly of a moment and of a world, one masterminded by Combs and his producer, Sam Cohen. It isn't just a collection of songs, it's a feeling. Creating this feeling, this world, this moment, includes a lot of synth and distortion, which results not in a cold, electronic vibe, but a psychedelic, groovy one".